| Keeping your horse warm, healthy, and happy during | | | | alfalfa, and beet pulp. Increased fiber keeps a horse |
| the winter can be challenging, especially if you live in a | | | | warmer than increased grain because the digestion of |
| climate with extreme cold weather. While | | | | fiber generates heat. Hay and other kinds of fiber are |
| temperatures don't drop too far here in Texas, I have | | | | digested in the horse's hindgut, or large intestine, which |
| many clients in northern states who struggle to keep | | | | generates much more heat than digestion in the small |
| their horses fat and sassy during this winter. So this | | | | intestine (where grain is mostly digested). |
| issue is dedicated to horse health care during the | | | | So increase your horse's fiber content first to keep |
| winter, including ways to minimize your feed bill and | | | | him warm. If he loses weight and still needs more |
| ways to prevent chiropractic issues. | | | | calories, consider adding a bit of alfalfa or grain. Up to |
| Horse Health Care Basics for Winter | | | | a cup of corn oil per day will also help keep weight on |
| Before diving into the different kinds of horse feed and | | | | your horse. |
| other tips, I'm going to first cover the basics. These | | | | Then there is your horse's water intake, which is |
| apply year-round, but are especially important before | | | | especially important during the winter. Horses tend to |
| winter sets in. You probably already know about these, | | | | drink less in cold weather, since cold water makes |
| but I would be remiss if I didn't mention them so I'll | | | | them feel colder. If your horse doesn't drink |
| cover them quickly here. | | | | enoughwater to keep his digestion functioning, |
| Teeth: If you horse has not had a float within the last | | | | especially during cold dry weather, he could end up |
| year, it may be time to take him in for a checkup and | | | | with impaction colic. |
| possibly a float. A horse with sharp points, hooks, or | | | | There are several ways to increase your horse's fluid |
| ramps in his mouth tends to drop feed or chew | | | | intake during the winter. I like feeding bran mashes |
| improperly, which can lead to indigestion or colic. More | | | | made with warm water. Horses love bran mashes |
| importantly, your horse doesn't get the most out of his | | | | and the high water content is great for their digestion. |
| feed and you could end up with unwanted vet bills to | | | | The warm water in the mash also helps your horse |
| treat colic. | | | | feel warmer. You can also offer beet pulp shreds |
| Parasites: Going into winter, it's always a good idea to | | | | soaked with hot water. Since it can take 30 minutes or |
| check your horse for parasites with a fecal test. Even | | | | more to soak beet pulp, you may need to top up the |
| if the fecal test comes back negative, you may want | | | | bucket with hot water before serving it, otherwise it will |
| to give your horse a double dose of Strongid-type | | | | be cold. |
| wormer to take care of tapeworms, which do not | | | | Horse Health Care in Winter: Blankets and Clipping |
| show up in a fecal analysis. You can do this up to | | | | If you blanket your horse during the winter, choose a |
| once a year. | | | | blanket that both fits and is made of a lightweight |
| Stress: Horses can quickly lose weight when stressed. | | | | material. A well-fitting blanket does not "pull" across the |
| Causes of stress are numerous, including extreme | | | | shoulders, chest, or withers. Most newer blankets are |
| physical cold, injuries, hard training, or even changes in | | | | pleated at the shoulder and designed to avoid this |
| living environment. Horses can also beemotionally | | | | tightness over the withers and chest. It's important to |
| stressed by doing a job for which they are not suited | | | | choose a blanket that fits because an ill-fitting blanket, |
| or if their living conditions are unsuitable. For instance, a | | | | worn all winter, can create chiropractic issues that you |
| horse that is constantly being picked on by his herd | | | | will have to solve in the spring. |
| mates won't have access tofeed, and may not feel | | | | I also suggest you invest in one of the new blankets |
| like eating. | | | | made of lightweight materials, as opposed to using |
| The Best Horse Feed for Winter | | | | older-style canvas blankets. The lightweight material in |
| To keep your horse healthy this winter, you need to | | | | new blankets allows your horse's hair to stay fluffy, |
| make sure he is getting enough of the right kind of | | | | which keeps him warmer. Older-style blankets tend to |
| calories to stay warm, and drinking enough water to | | | | flatten your horse's coat, which will make him feel chilly. |
| keep his digestion functioning properly. | | | | Finally, if at all possible, avoid body clipping your horse. If |
| Let's talk about calories first. If the temperature drops | | | | you must clip your horse's coat, stick with a hunter clip, |
| dramatically during the winter in your part of the | | | | which at least leaves your horse with some of his |
| country, your goal will be to keep your horse warm. | | | | winter coat while still allowing him to work hard without |
| The best way to feed your horse to keep him warmis | | | | sweating too much. |
| to increase the fiber in his diet, which includes hay, | | | | |