Source: Mary Jane Little, agriculture extension associate senior 

Winter is settling in and 4-Hers need to be mindful of their horses’ health during these cold days. Taking some basic measures can improve your horses’ safety and keep them in good shape throughout the cold season. Consider getting a wellness exam for your horse, especially if they are geriatric or if they have chronic conditions. Good nutrition is essential for maintaining good body condition. 

Forages are essential sources of fiber and nutrients, and hay is the primary forage source in the winter. Hay helps your horse maintain its body temperature by generating internal heat through digestion. A good rule of thumb is to plan on feeding at least 2% of the horse’s weight in forage per day. However, that number could change for more active or geriatric horses, pregnant mares, growing horses and the quality of hay you are feeding. Also account for waste when calculating how much hay your horse will need.  

To avoid excess moisture and mold, store your hay supply inside or cover it; you should never feed moldy hay to horses. We recommend storing hay in a separate barn or shed since hay can add increased flammability to the facility, especially if packed tightly.  

Water is another critical component of a horse's diet. Horses require plentiful, clean water to avoid impactions and dehydration. Due to freezing temps, you may need to make special arrangements for fresh water sources. Install trough or container de-icers in a manner that prevents the horses from getting to them, or simply manually break up surface ice. Horses may not want to drink as much water in the bitter cold, so you may need to add a little water to their feed if you are giving them a concentrate. 

As daylight recedes into the winter months, horses develop a thick coat for insulation. You may need to use a blanket for extra warmth during frigid temperatures. Combined with precipitation, it creates cold stress, especially for horses without shelter. Whether or not to blanket is a personal choice, but there are some best practices to follow. You may refer to the Blanketing Do’s & Don’ts publication provided by the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment for additional tips and suggestions on blanketing at bit.ly/3iICU30 

Although you may not ride as frequently in cold weather, light exercise two or three times per week is essential for maintaining your horse's muscle tone.  

Have a conversation with your farrier to plan for winter shoeing. Some people take off shoes during winter to give the hooves a break. As a result, horses become very tender-footed, especially on frozen ground, and are more reluctant to move around, which can lead to more issues such as colic, decreased water intake and decreased feed intake because they don’t want to walk to the hay feeder.  

Remember to stick to your annual vaccination schedule and have your horse’s teeth checked. After the first frost is a good time to ask your veterinarian for a fecal egg count to determine if it’s time for deworming. Winter is also an excellent time to clean tack and store it in a dry place to keep moisture and mold at bay. Winter does not mean hibernation for horses or horse owners. To learn more about how you can be a good steward for your horse, contact the (COUNTY NAME) Cooperative Extension Service.  

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.  

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