So winter is heading our way. Drifts of snow will too soon be filling our arenas and barns. Our horses will be furry and long underwear and Carhart’s will be the highest fashion. Are you ready? Here are a few tips to help you prepare your barn, your horse and finally you for the cold winter months!

1. Check your fences!

In many states if your animals get loose you can be held liable for any damage they cost. Depending on what state/county you live in you may owe two to three times the value of the damaged item! Also most states/counties will not hold you liable if your fence is in good repair. Which means, fix your fences! Make sure that each section is still electrified with the proper posted signs.

Check the height of your fences as well. I live in Wisconsin, and we are required to have fences at 50 inches height for woven tension wires. Check out your county’s website or call for required heights. It is important to take snow drifting into account too. I know my horse is smart enough to climb a drift to get out of his pasture. Is yours?

2. Shelter, Shelter, Shelter!

Horses are made to withstand all kinds of weather. Around October (when our days get shorter) their coats start to grow and they start to gain a layer of fat from top to bottom. This sets them up to withstand winter in whatever state they live in. But because our horses are fenced in and many of us ride until the snow flies their coats may not develop the way they should. Providing some form of shelter for wet and windy winter days is essential for your horse staying fit and healthy through the colder months. Check out eHorseHotline.com for options on prefab shelters. Otherwise the internet is a great place to look for plans/directions if you want to do it yourself.

3. Blanketing

So you’re cold. Because of course it’s winter. Your horse should be cold too right? Wrong. Making that assumption can make keeping your horse healthy more difficult in the winter months.

Your horse’s coat is an amazing thing. The top grows with an oily substance that helps protect them from wind, water and other winter disasters! Also their coats grow according to the amount of light they receive each day. Blanketing too soon can stop their coat from growing enough to keep them protected against the chill. A light blanket may not be good either. One that is too light is worse then no blanket at all. When you blanket your horse it flattens their coat taking away all of it’s insulating potential. If you are going to be showing or riding throughout the winter you may want to body clip to prevent your horses coat from growing and then purchase a well insulated blanket.

4. Exercise

Ugh what a horrible word. Never fear! I’m talking about the horsy version!

I know it’s tempting to stay inside when it’s cold but keeping your horse on a light regimen helps them and you! During the winter, muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness go down even with daily turn-out. As your horse ages no year-round exercise makes it harder to “leg them up” when your show season rolls around again! Light longeing or riding helps. Make sure to check with your farrier before it snows on their recommendations for footwear.

Also make sure you take extra time to warm up and cool down during your ride. Cool air in your horses lungs can cause damage and working too hard, too fast can cause more harm then good. At the cool down make sure your horse is not too wet to turn out. Have wool coolers ready to dry them off! Remember your mother always told you not to go outside with a wet head, why would you want your horse to?

I recommend adding 5-10 minutes on to both the warm up and cool down as a rule of thumb! Now get out there, brave the cold and have some winter fun with your horse!

5. Nutrition and Health

Now for the most important thing on our list, your horses overall health and nutrition. Call or consult your vet on what is the best way to help your horse over the winter. At my barn after the pastures are closed off we start to supplement their diet with a mixture of alfalfa and grass hay. Because grass is a natural stool stimulant most owners don’t have to worry about colic in the summer. During the winter grass hay does the opposite, which means it’s extremely important to make sure your horse is getting enough water. Offering your horse a warm water option stimulates their drinking. This can be done with a heated bucket, heated automatic filter and or a heater for your watering trough.

You can also supplement with grain. Check with your local feed store or vet on good options for your horse. There are A LOT of top dressings and supplements out there be sure to check eHorseHotline.com for options.

Last but not least make sure to check for weight loss on your horse as many times as possible. Horses (especially older ones) tend to lose weight from their topline first (area from withers to haunches). If you see this weight loss up their feed or call the vet for suggestions. If you blanket, it’s a good idea to take it off to check for weight loss. Also, make sure you feel your horse. Sometimes when our animals become furry beasts it disguises how much they actually weigh!

Even though the winter brings snow, ice and cold it can be a great time for you and your horse! Prepare and it will make your life easier!

Got any more cold weather tips? Email Martha@qdrawsolutions.com