Most horses do just fine during the winter, maintaining their weight and energy levels even when the temperatures drop. That said, horses do expend extra energy to keep warm in frigid weather. So if a chubby, otherwise healthy horse drops a few pounds, there’s generally little cause for concern. However, if a horse goes into winter in only moderate condition, he can ill afford to lose even a little weight, especially if he is elderly or has a chronic illness. Here are five tips for feeding horses in winter, no matter how cold it gets.
Review your horse’s feed ration.
Consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to determine whether your horse is getting enough calories and other nutrients. The amount of feed you offer in June might not be enough in January, for example.
If you decide to increase the amount of grain your horse receives, consider adding another meal rather than increasing individual serving sizes to reduce the risk of colic. Or you might want to switch to a higher calorie feed or add an energy-rich supplement to your horse’s ration. One safe and simple way to provide additional calories is to top-dress meals with a couple of tablespoons of corn oil.
Feed lots of forage.
Hay won’t necessarily put weight on a horse, but it will help keep him warm because it is digested slowly, producing metabolic heat along the way. Ideally, hard keepers will have access to as much hay as they want during the winter, but this might not be practical for you. Increase the amount of hay you provide as much as you can, remembering horses will eat more and waste less if it’s of good quality.
Keep him warm.
A healthy horse with a thick winter coat might need only a run-in shed to protect him from the elements in winter. However, older horses, those with health conditions, or those that are body-clipped need more help to stay warm. Waterproof blankets are an easy solution, and it’s wise to have two blankets of different weights for varying weather conditions. Shelter from wind and cold rain is critical; make sure all your field-kept horses have access to a run-in shed and that more aggressive horses allow the herd to use the space.
Keep his teeth in good shape.
The inability to chew feed properly will cause a horse to lose weight rapidly, no matter how much you feed. To head off this kind of trouble, have your veterinarian perform a full dental exam and address any issues at least twice a year—more often if problems arise. For older horses or those with chronic dental conditions, you might need to wet the feed or switch to hay cubes to ensure they get the calories they need.
Do periodic visual checks.
This advice might sound obvious, but keep in mind that heavy blankets—particularly on older, retired horses or others that aren’t ridden regularly—can hide weight loss for weeks. To avoid surprises, remove your horse’s blanket at least every other day. Then run your hand along his top line, hindquarters, and ribs, feeling for bones you couldn’t detect before. With just this simple step, you can catch weight loss early, when it’s easier to reverse. If you’re not sure his condition is changing, use a weight tape or take a photo for comparison to another in a few weeks.
If, despite your best efforts, your horse loses weight this winter, ask your veterinarian to examine him for an infection, illness, or parasite problem.
Related Reading
- How To Easily Determine Your Horse’s Body Condition Score
- How To Help Your Horse Gain Weight
- Winter Weight Woes: Help Your Horse Add Pounds for Warmth
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