by Anita Reyes

Created on: September 25, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Preparing your horse for winter should be started prior to the impending rain or snow. Of course your horse has been preparing itself for winter all summer long. His coat is now beginning to fill in and you may have noticed that your once sleek steed is now showing the fuzzy characteristics of extra hair. It grows the longer coat to insulate it's body in the colder temperatures and needs the ability to "fluff" it's hair up in order to create a heat barrier to keep the body warmth near the horses skin where it is needed. Allowing your horse to grow its winter coat and making dietary changes such as adding salt to its feed will only help maintain your horses health this winter. By adding salt to a feeding or keeping a salt block available, you will encourage him to drink, therefore preventing any dehydration that can lead to colic.

Sometimes, we as humans tend to put our own emotions and feelings onto our horses and more often than not this can cause more damage than good. Your horse is part of a centuries old animal that has learned to adapt and change as needed throughout the years. When we see our horses out in the wind and rain with their heads held low we of course worry. But there next to our completely soaking wet companion is the open stall or barn, filled with stall mats and shavings and completely dry. We then buy them beautiful winter blankets and in some cases they are necessary, but by blanketing a horse you flatten the hair follicles that are needed to keep it's body temperature warm when the thermometer goes down. Unless your horse is shivering or showing outward signs of true hypothermia, it's best to leave them to their own devices but you must always offer shelter, continuous fresh clean water, and enough food for the horses weight and training schedule. Training schedules may also be decreased during the wetter months, but your horse should still have access to open areas to move freely in order to keep its entire body system working. Circulation helps not only the muscles, but also the hooves, digestive tract and your horses state of mind.

Preparing your pasture or barn will be necessary as well. Horses need a clean, dry area to retreat to when the weather becomes too much, as well as a place to eat that is sheltered from the rain or snow. Areas that become muddy or flooded will pose other risks such as falling, pulled shoes, pulled muscles, etc. that can lead to much bigger injuries and vet bills. Daily inspections of your horse and it's barn or pasture area are the best measures you can take to ensure a healthy and happy horse this winter.

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