Seasonal Care for Your Horse: Winter & Summer Prep

Horses can handle temperatures as low as -40°F with the right shelter. As seasons change, it's key to adjust your horse care to keep them healthy and comfy all year. This means getting ready for winter and summer by looking at shelter, food, grooming, and health checks.

By getting ahead on seasonal needs, your horse can do well in cold and hot weather. You'll need to tweak their diet, water, shelter, and blankets. These are key parts of caring for your horse through the seasons.

Key Takeaways:

• Horses need more energy in winter, with a 1000-pound horse needing up to 18.5 pounds of good-quality hay daily at 0°F (-18°C).

• Offering warm water (45° to 65°F or 7° to 18°C) and more salt helps horses drink more in winter.

• Shelter use by horses goes from less than 10 percent in mild weather to 62 percent in snow and high winds.

• In summer, focus on keeping horses hydrated, providing shade, and using water to stay cool to prevent heatstroke.

• Regular hoof care, managing horse weight, and controlling flies are key to seasonal horse care.

Winterizing Your Horse

As winter comes, it's key to get your horse ready for the cold. Proper winter care keeps them healthy and comfy until spring. By winterizing your horse, you lower health risks and keep them in great shape.

Assessing Body Condition and Deworming

Start by checking your horse's body condition. A healthy horse should have some fat over their ribs, withers, and tail head. If they're too thin, slowly add more food to help them gain weight before winter hits.

Also, create a deworming plan with your vet. Use fecal analysis to target parasites that can harm your horse in winter.

Ensuring Access to Shelter

Horses need protection from winter weather. Give them a stable or shed that shields them from wind, sleet, and storms. A 240-square-foot (22 square meters) shed is good for two horses, plus 60 square feet (6 square meters) for each extra horse.

Check the shelter often for damage or dangers. Fix any issues to keep your horse safe and cozy.

Evaluating Facility Stability and Ventilation

A stable or barn must be well-kept and well-ventilated in winter. Look for leaks, drafts, or damaged insulation. Fix any problems quickly to keep your horse's space warm and dry.

Good ventilation is key to avoid moisture and breathing problems. Aim for four to eight air changes per hour. Use natural and mechanical systems together. Clean and check vents, fans, and other equipment often to keep them working well.

By winterizing your horse, you're making sure they have a comfy and healthy winter, no matter the cold outside.

Adjusting Feed and Water in Winter

When it gets colder, it's key to keep your horse healthy and comfy. You need to adjust their feed and water. Winter brings challenges that affect your horse's health.

Increasing Water Intake

Horses drink less water in the cold, which can cause dehydration. To get them to drink more, offer warm water between 45° to 65° F (7°-18°C). Studies show horses drink 40% more when the water is in this range.

Also, give your horse 1-2 ounces of salt daily. This makes them thirsty and helps them drink enough water.

Providing Warm Water (45° to 65° F)

If you don't have a water heater, Dr. Thaler suggests adding hot water to buckets a few times a day. This keeps the water at 45-65°F (7°-18°C), helping your horse drink more. Warm water is key to preventing dehydration.

Feeding Additional Hay During Extreme Cold

When it's very cold, your horse needs more energy to stay warm. Give them extra hay to keep their body temperature up. Dr. Thaler says give 1.5% of their bodyweight in hay daily. This is 15 pounds for a 1,000-pound horse.

This helps their digestive system and overall health.

Adjusting Feed Based on Temperature and Energy Needs

As it gets colder, your horse needs more calories to stay warm. They need 12.5% more at -4°F (-20°C), which is below their LCT. Add 1% more energy for every degree below 18° F (-8°C).

Check your horse's body condition with the Henneke System. Aim for a score of 5. Vets say keep adult horses between 4 and 6. Adjust their feed based on their activity and weight.

"It's essential to monitor your horse's body condition throughout the winter and make necessary adjustments to their feed intake. This helps ensure they maintain a healthy weight and have the energy needed to stay warm." - Dr. Langer, Equine Veterinarian

By following these tips, you can keep your horse healthy and happy in winter. Always talk to your vet for advice that fits your horse's needs.

Blanketing and Shelter Considerations

As winter comes, think about your horse's comfort and health. Blanketing and shelter are key to keeping them warm and dry. By using horse blanketing guidelines and good shelter, you can keep your horse cozy and healthy.

When to Blanket Your Horse

Deciding when to blanket your horse depends on the weather, shelter, coat, age, and health. Blanket when it's below 5°F (-15°C) or if there's no shelter and your horse might get wet. Young, old, or cold-sensitive horses may need blankets at higher temperatures.

Blanketing too early can stop your horse's winter coat from growing. Horses with a body condition score of 3 or less need extra warmth to stay warm.

Ensuring Proper Blanket Fit

A good blanket fit is key to avoid sores and discomfort. Choose a blanket that fits your horse's size and shape. It should be snug but allow movement and layering. Check the blanket often for damage or rubbing and adjust as needed for a proper horse blanket fit.

Pro Tip: When measuring your horse for a blanket, use a soft measuring tape and start at the center of the chest, running it along the side of the body to the point of the buttocks. This measurement, in inches, will help you find the right blanket size for your horse.

Providing Adequate Shelter Size and Access

Blanketing is just part of winter care. Your horse also needs a good shelter. A 12x20 foot run-in or open-front shed is good for two horses, with extra space for more horses.

Make sure your horse can easily get into the shelter and it's in a dry spot. Clean and maintain the shelter to keep your horse healthy and happy.

By following these guidelines, you can help your horse stay warm and healthy in winter. Always watch your horse and adjust their care as needed based on the weather.

Summer Horse Care Essentials

As temperatures go up, it's key to change your horse care routine. This ensures your horse stays healthy and comfy in the summer. Focus on keeping them hydrated, cool, shaded, and watch for heatstroke signs to beat the heat.

Focusing on Hydration

Keeping your horse hydrated is crucial in summer. The University of Minnesota says a cool horse drinks 6 to 10 gallons of water daily. Here's how to help them drink enough:

• Provide clean, fresh water at all times

• Check water sources often and refill as needed

• Add electrolytes to their diet to replace lost minerals

Using Water to Keep Cool

Water isn't just for drinking. It can also help your horse stay cool. Here are some ways to use water:

1. Mist your horse with a fine spray of water all day

2. Hose them down with cool water, focusing on big blood vessels on legs and neck

3. Give them a shallow pond or creek to cool off in

The University of Minnesota advises that water for horses should be between 45° and 64°F (7°-18°C).

Providing Adequate Shade

Horses need shade to get out of the sun and heat. Trees can help, but a man-made shelter is better since tree shade moves. Here's how to set up shade for your horse:

• Make sure the shelter is big enough for your horse to move around

• Check that the shelter stays shaded all day as the sun moves

• Ensure the shelter is well-ventilated to avoid heat buildup

Watching for Signs of Heatstroke

Even with good care, watch for heatstroke signs. Look out for:

• Excessive sweating or lack of it

• Rapid breathing and a high heart rate

• Lethargy or weakness

• A body temperature over 101.5°F (38.6°C)

• Increased salivation

If you think your horse has heatstroke, act fast. Move them to a cool, shaded spot, cool them down with water, and call your vet for help.

Spring Horse Health Checklist

As winter ends and spring begins, make sure your horse is ready for the new season. A detailed spring horse health checklist is key. Start by checking your horse's horse coat shedding. Groom your horse often to shed the winter coat and look for any skin problems.

Then, set up a horse dental check with your vet. Horses should see the dentist twice a year, and spring is a great time. Your vet will check for dental issues and fix them.

Hoof care is vital for spring health. Horses need their hooves trimmed every 6-8 weeks for comfort and performance. Make sure to book a trim with your farrier for the season.

Horse vaccinations are key for spring health. Talk to your vet about which shots your horse needs. Consider factors like age, how much you ride, and where you live. Common shots include tetanus, encephalomyelitis, influenza, West Nile virus, and rotavirus.

A healthy horse should have a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 5 or close to 5.

Don't overlook deworming horses. Stabled horses need deworming every 2-3 months, depending on their situation. Regular deworming helps prevent issues like colic from parasites.

By using this spring horse health checklist, you'll help your horse have a great season. Always work with your vet and farrier to give your horse the best care for their needs.

Conclusion

As a responsible horse owner, it's key to adjust your care routine with the seasons. This ensures your horse stays healthy and happy. Make sure your horse has clean, fresh water to drink, aiming for 8 to 12 gallons a day. Deworming every 10-12 weeks and dental check-ups twice a year are also vital.

Seasonal care means changing how you groom your horse. Clip their coat in autumn and winter as they grow a thicker coat. Wash your horse 3-4 times a year, especially in autumn. In spring, use tools like shedding blades to remove loose hair and dirt.

Managing your horse's pasture access in autumn is also important. This prevents overeating and health issues like laminitis. Use fly control products like sprays and masks in warmer weather. A balanced diet with quality hay, grains, and supplements keeps your horse healthy and looking good. By knowing and acting on seasonal health needs, you keep your horse happy and healthy all year.

FAQ

How often should I deworm my horse?

Deworming should be based on fecal analysis results. Work with your vet to create a deworming plan that fits your horse's needs.

What size shelter does my horse need in winter?

A 240-square-foot run-in or open-front shed is perfect for two horses. Add 60 square feet for each extra horse. Make sure the shelter protects from wind, sleet, and storms.

How can I encourage my horse to drink more water in winter?

Offer warm water between 45° to 65° F and increase salt intake to 1-2 ounces daily. Horses need more water in winter due to dry feed like grain and hay.

When should I blanket my horse in cold weather?

Blanket your horse if there's no shelter and the temperature or wind chill is below 5° F. Also, do it if the horse might get wet, is clipped, very young, old, or not used to the cold.

How can I keep my horse cool in the summer?

Keep your horse hydrated with plenty of clean, cool water and electrolytes if needed. Mist them with water or spray them down with a hose a few times a day. Make sure they have shade to cool off in.

What health checks should I perform on my horse in the spring?

In spring, groom your horse often to help them shed their winter coat and check for skin issues. Check their body condition score and schedule dental and farrier appointments. Work with your vet for vaccinations and deworming needs.

How can I protect my horse from flies in the summer?

Use fly masks, fly sheets, and sprays to protect your horse. Remove manure from stalls and pastures to reduce fly breeding. Consider fly traps or natural predators like purple martins to control flies.

What signs of heatstroke should I watch for in my horse during hot weather?

Look for signs of heatstroke like lethargy, too much or no sweating, a fast heart rate, high body temperature, and more salivation. If you think your horse has heatstroke, call your vet right away.