01/29/2026
First off, a huge thanks to Stephanie Schierioth and Ricky Sheehan for going out on this frigid day to transport a patient of ours to a barn that would keep him warmer than the one he was living in. They are not in the horse transportation business; they are just friends and clients willing to step up for a horse in need.
Which brings me to my second point- while a 3-sided shelter or open barn (like mine!) provides plenty of shelter for a healthy horse with adequate body fat and a good coat, some horses need more protection in this weather. Horses that are very young, old, thin, or who have poor coats, Cushing’s , or poor health need extra help. Keeping these animals in an enclosed space, preferably shared with other animals, will help them stay warmer.
Horses generate body heat by digesting fiber. All horses benefit from extra hay in the cold. Increase hay/roughage by 10% for every 10 degrees below freezing. If your horse is on a mash diet, feed it warm and frequently so he eats as frequently as possible. Provide warm water. While there is some controversy over blanketing thick-coated horses, if your horse is cold, add blankets! Make sure there is plenty of dry bedding for the horse to lie in so they don’t lose body heat to the cold floor.
Signs of hypothermia include shivering, lethargy, loss of appetite, rapid shallow breathing, colic, and lying down/refusing to get up. Check on at risk horses frequently, and if they shows signs of hypothermia, get a temp and warm them up. Their life may depend on it.
