| Even though the news media is still talking about global | | | | Feed |
| warming, many areas are experiencing record cold | | | | Horses need more fuel to keep warm in extremely |
| and extreme amounts of snow and ice. Horses who | | | | cold situations. Consider adding a high fat, high protein |
| are acclimated to severe winter weather usually do | | | | pelleted feed or sweet feed mix to your horse's diet |
| well with their natural haircoats and the care | | | | to help them cope. |
| experienced owners provide. However, if you are new | | | | Blanket Use |
| to horse ownership or new to the weather outside | | | | Do not let your horse sweat under their blanket. If you |
| your window this year, here is a short list of tips to get | | | | have a night that dips to 10 degrees followed by a |
| through till the mercury rises and the sun comes out. | | | | sunny afternoon at 45 degrees, run your hand under |
| Water | | | | the blanket at your horse's shoulder to make sure they |
| Make sure your horse has access to open water. This | | | | aren't getting over heated. If your horse feels warm, |
| can be the biggest challenge in winter. If the water | | | | remove the blanket and vigorously curry the coat to lift |
| tank is iced over the horse can't drink. The colder the | | | | the hair up and allow air to circulate throughout the |
| water the less horses will usually drink. When hanging | | | | hairs. |
| a bucket, begin with hot water. Your horse will have a | | | | Behavioral Changes |
| chance at warm water and it will stay open longer. If | | | | Watch your horse carefully so you will notice any |
| you don't have hot water close to your horse's pen or | | | | changes in their behavior immediately. Horses are |
| pasture, use an electric bucket heater to heat the | | | | prone to colic in severe weather, many times because |
| water. All you need is a regular outlet or extension | | | | they don't drink enough. The first clue that your horse |
| cord. | | | | isn't drinking enough may be a reduced appetite. Make |
| Shelter | | | | sure they continue their normal routine. If your horse |
| Shelter is necessary. If your horse has to depend on | | | | lies down in an odd place or at an unusual time, go out |
| grazing for part or all of his roughage, standing in a | | | | and check on him. |
| shelter isn't really an option if they need to eat. If the | | | | Plan Ahead |
| weather is wet, you may need to invest in a lined, | | | | Extreme weather conditions are hard on everyone. |
| water-proof blanket. The good old canvas blankets do | | | | Just as you need to plan ahead to keep food in the |
| well and stand up to pasture wear. If you just can't | | | | house and water flowing to the sink in your kitchen, |
| provide shelter from the wind and wet, a quality | | | | advance planning is required to get your horse through |
| blanket is a must. | | | | the challenges of cold and snow until the weather |
| Hoofcare | | | | moderates. When you stock up on soup, bottled water |
| If you experience a freezing, thawing, re-freezing cycle, | | | | and firewood for yourself, take the time to be sure |
| or a day where rain turns to snow, check your horse's | | | | your horse blankets are clean and in good repair, that |
| feet for ice build up. In extreme weather one small | | | | you have arranged to keep water available in the barn, |
| problem may quickly lead to another. To prevent ice | | | | and take careful note that your horse is eating, |
| from collecting on the sole of your horse's foot, spray | | | | producing a normal amount of manure, and moving |
| the bottom with WD-40. Some folks swear by the | | | | normally. |
| stuff! | | | | |