by Renae Tanner

Created on: October 03, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

While helping my grandfather raise horses in Tennessee, I learned a few things about proper winter preparedness for them. Many are self explanatory, while others were learned unfortunately, by trial and error. Perhaps you can learn from my errors...

Horses can take care of themselves during the summer for the most part, because grass and water are readily available, if you have a proper field and pond. However, during the winter, a horse becomes more of a rich mans hobby. It is definitely more work than play. The winter months are truly the months when you ask yourself why you have a horse because riding them occurs less often. It is unsafe to ride a horse during certain conditions in the colder months. Ice is hard on their hoofs and slippery and dangerous to ride the horse upon. Be careful if you do ride during the winter because heating up the horse to quickly can be dangerous if exposed to wet snow at the same time. The flux in temperature can be very hard for the horse to adjust to. Riding during the winter should be kept to a minimum, for the purpose of maintaining muscle tone on the horse.

Horses must have a place to get out of the cold, like a barn, or some type of secure enclosure that protects them from the wind. Two horses are better than one during winter especially because they take care of each other. Do not stall horses individually during the winter, because they can keep each other warm, by standing head to tail and breathing on each other. The ground in the barn should be dry, and kept free from heaps of manure. The horse can get stuck in it and hurt themselves trying to get out. Which will result in huge vet bills.

To keep up with your horses health through out winter it is best to continue worming them. Some claim that this is not necessary, but if your horse gets colic, you will understand..... it is a very expensive process! Watch your horses ribs to determine how much feed they need. If they begin to show more, the horse needs more food. Horses should not be given an excess of food, they can and will eat themselves to death, hay is the only food that should be readily available to the horse, but even hay must be rationed.

When feeding the horses during the colder months a mineral block as well as a salt block are necessary. Fresh water should be available, during the winter. If the water is kept in the "barn" it will not freeze as easily, and the horse will not get ill from other animals feces and bacteria. Draping a hose into a plastic barrel in the barn and rinsing it out and refilling it daily works well. Depending on the weight goal of the horse, fresh hay should be given to substitute the lack of grass available. Along with fresh hay, a few scoops of grain should be provided to maintain a healthy weight. Grain should be kept in a covered barrel, otherwise mice will have a feast on your budget.

BEST TIP: During winter, feed the horse at least two scoops of dried corn daily, it will help the horse maintain a higher body temperature while exposed to the elements.

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