Seasonal Horse Care: Winter Preparation

As temperatures drop and daylight decreases, seasonal changes require adjustments to your horse care routine. Winter presents unique challenges that, if not properly managed, can impact your horse's health, comfort, and performance. Preparing ahead of time ensures your horse remains healthy, comfortable, and well-cared for throughout the cold months.

Understanding Winter's Impact on Horses

Horses are well-adapted to cold climates and can tolerate frigid temperatures better than many realize. Their bodies naturally adjust by growing a thicker winter coat, which provides excellent insulation. However, winter introduces various stressors that require attention:

• Reduced access to fresh grazing (limiting some nutrients)
• Increased caloric needs to maintain body heat
• Frozen water sources requiring extra management
• Muddy, slippery pastures increasing injury risk
• Ice on hooves affecting traction
• Confined conditions during severe weather (behavioral concerns)
• Dry conditions from reduced moisture and humidity affecting respiratory health
• Reduced vitamin D from less sunlight exposure

Successful winter horse care addresses these challenges proactively rather than reactively.

Nutrition and Feeding Adjustments

Winter nutrition is perhaps the most important adjustment to your horse care program.

Increased Caloric Needs

Horses require 20-30% more calories in winter to maintain body heat. This means increasing feed intake beyond what your horse consumed in warmer months.

Forage Foundation: Increase hay intake as your primary caloric source. Hay provides fiber that generates heat through fermentation in the digestive tract. A horse using the most efficient heating system available—their digestive system itself.

Quality Matters: Winter hay must be of excellent quality. Horses will eat more hay than summer forage to meet caloric needs, so quality becomes even more important. Poor quality hay may require even greater quantity to meet nutritional needs.

Grain Supplementation: Many horses benefit from increased grain or concentrate feeds in winter. The amount depends on:

• Your horse's age and metabolism
• Exercise level and intensity
• Current body condition
• Access to pasture
• Climate severity

Body Condition Scoring: Monitor your horse's weight throughout winter. You should feel ribs easily but not see them prominently. If ribs are becoming too visible, increase feed. Overweight horses are harder to ride and more prone to joint stress and metabolic issues, but weight loss is problematic.

Specific Nutrient Considerations

Vitamins and Minerals: Stored winter hay lacks vitamin A present in fresh forage. Supplementation or quality commercial feeds prevent deficiencies. Minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium support immune function during stressful months.

Salt and Electrolytes: Despite cold weather, horses still need salt and electrolytes, particularly those performing regularly or sweating during exercise. Provide free-choice salt or electrolyte supplements.

Protein: Winter's increased metabolic demands and potential for muscle loss require adequate protein. Alfalfa mixed with grass hay helps maintain protein intake.

Water Management

Dehydration is a major winter concern often overlooked.

The Frozen Water Problem

Horses significantly reduce water intake when water is frozen or extremely cold. This can lead to:

• Impaction colic (the most common winter colic cause)
• Dehydration
• Poor nutrient absorption
• Respiratory infections (from reduced mucous membrane hydration)

Solutions

Heated Water Systems: Heated troughs or tank heaters maintain water at a temperature horses readily drink. This is the ideal solution for winter boarding facilities.

Regular Water Checks: If water freezes, break ice frequently (ideally multiple times daily) to maintain access. Even partially frozen water is better than none.

Warm Water Supplementation: Adding warm water to grain or offering heated water encourages drinking, particularly for reluctant horses.

Monitor Consumption: Track water intake. Significant changes indicate potential health issues.

Shelter and Pasture Management

Proper shelter is essential for winter comfort and health.

Run-in Shed Requirements

If your horse has pasture access, a run-in shelter is essential, not optional. Shelters should:

• Be large enough for all horses in the group to enter simultaneously
• Have minimal wind penetration while allowing good ventilation
• Face away from prevailing winds
• Provide adequate space for horses to lie down safely
• Have good drainage around the entrance
• Offer dry ground free of mud and ice

Pasture Considerations

Grazing Access: Even in winter, pasture turnout provides mental and physical benefits. Pasture grazing also contributes to digestive health. Grazing access shouldn't necessarily cease in winter.

Herd Compatibility: Extended confinement can increase behavioral issues. Herd living supports mental health but requires good management and compatible horses.

Footing Safety: Muddy, icy, or hard-frozen pastures increase injury risk. Provide additional maintenance or reduce turnout if pastures become dangerously slippery.

Fencing Safety: Winter weather can damage fencing. Regular inspection ensures horses remain safely contained.

Grooming and Coat Management

Winter coat care differs from summer routines.

Bathing Considerations

Minimize full-body bathing in winter. Wet coats compromise the insulating properties of the winter coat. If bathing is necessary:

• Use warm water
• Dry thoroughly with sweat scrapers and towels
• Consider spot-cleaning rather than full baths
• Avoid bathing immediately before turnout in cold conditions

Grooming

• Gentle grooming stimulates circulation without removing the coat
• Avoid over-grooming that removes essential oils from the coat
• Use a soft brush rather than aggressive implements
• Regular grooming checks for injuries, swelling, or skin conditions

Blanket Management

Blanket use depends on:

• Climate severity and temperature
• Horse's age and health
• Exercise and sweating
• Available shelter
• Individual horse tolerance (some need blankets; others don't)

Well-maintained winter coats often provide sufficient insulation in moderate climates. However:

• Clipped horses or those without thick coats may need blankets
• Senior horses often benefit from blanket protection
• Blanketed horses require regular checks to ensure proper fit and dryness
• Wet blankets lose insulation; remove wet blankets promptly

Exercise and Activity Adjustments

Winter's environmental challenges require modifications to exercise routines.

Footing Considerations

• Avoid intense work on frozen or slippery footing
• Reduce speed and intensity during icy conditions
• Increase warm-up time to prepare joints and muscles
• Shorter sessions may be more appropriate than extended workouts

Joint and Tendon Stress

Cold weather increases joint stiffness and tendon vulnerability. Extended warm-ups (15-20 minutes) prepare tissues for work.

Weather Caution

• Avoid extreme cold exposure immediately after bathing or sweating
• Provide time to dry before turnout in cold, wet conditions
• Be cautious of wind chill and adjust activity accordingly

Health Monitoring

Winter increases health challenges, requiring heightened vigilance.

Common Winter Health Issues

Colic: Impaction colic from dehydration and reduced forage quality is common. Maintain water intake and monitor hay quality.

Respiratory Infections: Common in winter when horses are confined. Ensure good ventilation in stalls and shelters without creating drafts.

Hoof Problems: Snow balls in hooves, ice buildup, and reduced movement contribute to issues. Regular hoof cleaning and farrier care are essential.

Injuries: Icy conditions increase slipping and injury risk. Monitor pastures and reduce turnout if necessary.

Veterinary Care

• Schedule pre-winter veterinary checks
• Maintain current vaccinations and deworming protocols
• Have your vet assess winter preparations
• Don't delay calling the vet for health concerns; winter emergency services may be limited

Mental Health and Behavioral Management

Extended confinement and reduced turnout can cause behavioral issues.

Enrichment Strategies

• Provide varied forage (different hay types, pasture when possible)
• Maintain regular exercise and activity
• Allow social interaction when possible
• Use hay nets or slow feeders to extend eating time and mental engagement
• Consider companion animals if pasture time is restricted

Behavioral Monitoring

• Watch for signs of stress (aggression, stereotypic behaviors, weight changes)
• Maintain consistent routines that provide security
• Address behavioral changes with environmental modifications before they escalate

Winter Equipment and Supplies

Stock essential supplies before winter arrives:

• Extra blankets (clean, repaired, properly fitting)
• Hay in quantity to weather potential supply disruptions
• Grain and supplements for increased feeding
• Salt and electrolyte supplements
• First aid supplies for injuries
• Grooming tools suitable for winter coats
• Hoof care products
• Medications or supplements your horse requires

Creating a Winter Care Plan

Prepare comprehensively by:

1. Assessing Your Situation: Evaluate your climate, facilities, individual horse needs, and resources.

2. Consulting Professionals: Work with your veterinarian and farrier to establish winter protocols specific to your situation.

3. Planning Ahead: Stock supplies, arrange hay, and set up facilities before winter weather arrives.

4. Establishing Routines: Create consistent daily care routines for water, feeding, exercise, and monitoring.

5. Regular Monitoring: Daily assessment of your horse's condition, behavior, and health ensures early detection of problems.

6. Flexibility: Be prepared to adjust routines based on weather, individual needs, and emerging health issues.

Conclusion

Winter horse care requires planning, awareness, and consistent management. The horses that thrive through winter are those whose owners proactively address seasonal challenges through increased nutrition, maintained water intake, proper shelter, regular monitoring, and appropriate exercise adjustments. By preparing comprehensively and maintaining vigilance throughout winter, you ensure your horse remains healthy, comfortable, and well-cared for through the cold months.