Is your horse ready for winter? Yes, probably more than you think. As human beings, we always want to give our loved ones what we have. For example, I want a nice warm house with a fireplace and comfortable blankets in winter, why wouldn’t my horse do it? The truth is that our horses are already winterized and rarely need our help.
I grew up in Colorado and our horses were never spoiled, but they didn’t get sick either. I now live in central Texas and see more blankets on horses than I ever imagined in Colorado.
The truth is that horses start to grow in their coats when the days get shorter. This is to prepare them for the colder weather to come and when you do, your horse will suddenly appear fluffier. This fuller layer acts as insulation. The hairs stand up to trap hot air against the skin. The climate you are in, and even the way your horse’s hair grows, will determine the thickness of your horse’s coat. For example, I have a horse that will have a very thick coat before winter comes and another horse that will have a short coat all winter.
Here are some things you can do for your horses in the winter months.
1. Don’t cut them in winter.
2. Make sure they have enough hay available, as this is a natural heating resulting from fermentation.
3. Make sure your horses have enough drinking water, snow and ice don’t count.
4. Take your horses out every day, if possible, to get used to the elements, get plenty of exercise and fresh air.
5. Make sure your horses have shelter. These can be sheds or open stalls that can be placed underneath.
6. On those icy or rainy days, use a lightweight waterproof blanket on horses that need it.
7. If you have an older horse or have trembling horses, you should consider using a blanket.
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