12/03/2025
❄️ Winter Horse Care Tips🐴💙
As winter settles in, it’s essential to adjust our horse care routine to keep our equine friends healthy, comfortable, and safe. Here are some vet-approved tips to help you manage your horses through the colder months:
1. Keep Hydration in Check 💧
Horses often drink less in winter, increasing the risk of dehydration and colic. Encourage drinking by keeping water above freezing (37-50°F is ideal). Ensure water sources aren’t frozen.
2. Quality Forage for Warmth 🌾
A steady supply of hay helps keep horses warm from the inside out! Digesting hay generates heat, so provide more roughage than usual—1.5-2% of their body weight per day.
3. Blanket Based on Need 🧥
Not all horses need blankets! Healthy horses with a thick winter coat can tolerate cold temperatures, but older, underweight, or clipped horses may need extra warmth. Monitor them for sweating under blankets, and ensure proper fit to prevent rubs and sores.
4. Shelter from Wind & Wet 🌬️🌧️
Horses can handle cold, but wind and wet conditions can chill them quickly. Ensure they have access to a sturdy shelter or windbreak, like a run-in shed, to shield them from harsh weather.
5. Hoof & Leg Care 🐾
Snow, ice, and mud can wreak havoc on hooves and legs. Pick out hooves daily to prevent snow compaction and check for any ice balls. Use non-toxic hoof balms if needed, and keep an eye out for thrush or mud fever.
6. Watch Their Weight ⚖️
Winter can mean weight fluctuations. Use a weight tape or body condition scoring to monitor their condition regularly. Adjust feed as necessary to keep them in optimal health.
7. Routine Vet & Dental Care 🩺
Winter is not the time to skip those vet and dental checkups! Regular dental care ensures they’re chewing hay effectively, which is crucial for their digestive health.
Keeping your horse healthy in winter takes a bit more planning, but it’s worth it! A few proactive steps will help them stay warm, hydrated, and in top shape all season long.
Stay cozy, and let’s give our horses the best winter care possible!
🐴 What else have you added to your winter equine wellness protocol? ❄️
