Windy days can bring more than just a chill to the air—they can cause our horses stress, discomfort, and even injury. So, how do we make sure our horses stay safe, calm, and comfortable when the winds are howling? There are simple but effective ways to protect them from the elements. Let’s take look at how to protect a horse from the wind.
3 Wind-Related Health Hazards
First, it’s important to understand the risks gusty weather poses to our horses. Here are the three main health hazards you’ll want to protect your horse from:
- Loss of body heat. Wind blows away surface heat from a horse’s body—often as quickly as it can be generated. Winds strong enough to ruffle winter coats leave horses even colder by sapping heat reserves normally trapped under thick hair layers. Combine wind with moisture in one form or another, and the chilling effects are even more drastic.
- Eye irritation. Gusty wind stirs up dirt and dust that can irritate a horse’s eyes. Conjunctivitis, the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eyeball, commonly results when a horse rubs his eyes in response to windblown irritants.
- Flying or falling objects. Strong winds increase a field-kept horse’s risk of bodily harm. Aged or weakly rooted trees can lose large limbs or be blown over by fierce gusts. The wind might pick up empty water troughs, buckets, and other lightweight equipment and materials, spooking your horses and possibly causing injury. Shoddily constructed or poorly maintained buildings can come tumbling down in high winds, especially if snow or ice builds up on the roof.
How to Protect a Horse From the Wind
Here are the main steps you’ll want to take to safeguard your horse from injury, flying debris, windchill, and unnecessary stress.
Provide Shelter
A solid, secure shelter is one of the best ways to protect your horse from wind and its related hazards. When high winds are forecast for your area, confine your horses in your safest areas. Also batten down potential flying objects, and check gates and equipment to make sure they don’t become projectiles. In general, keep your buildings weather-worthy and your trees pruned of deadwood.
If your horse must be outside, make sure he has access to a shelter (such as a three-sided run-in shed) or windbreak. Even natural barriers like trees, hills, or fencelines can help shield him from the worst of the gusts.
Blanket for Warmth
When they can, horses stand with their rumps to the wind, using their tails to block the gusts. This natural protection is effective enough for unclipped horses, but closely clipped horses require blanketing in cool, windy weather, starting at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Look for a waterproof and windproof blanket that’s designed for your horse’s specific needs. A heavier blanket with a high neck will provide extra protection in colder weather. Add a flymask to your horse’s getup to safeguard his eyes.
Create a Low-Stress Environment
Horses can get anxious when the wind starts howling and things are flapping and rustling around them. That stress can lead to behaviors such as pacing or spooking, which can also lead to injury.
Try to create as calm and quiet an environment for your horse as possible when the wind is strong. A safe, familiar space like a stall or a small paddock with some protection from the wind will help him feel more secure. Offering extra hay can provide a sense of comfort and distraction.
Take-Home Message
With a little preparation and care, you can keep your horse safe, warm, and calm—even when the wind is howling. Take steps to weatherproof your property before a storm blows in. And if your horse gets anxious to the point you’re afraid he might injure himself (or you!) during high winds, get your veterinarian or trainer involved.
Related Reading:
- Horse Stall and Paddock Safety Checklist
- Does Your Horse Need a Barn?
- Smart Strategies for Handling Anxious Horses
Parts of this article originally appeared on Equusmagazine.com.
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