Cold Weather Diets

While very young, very old, or ailing horses might need specific changes in routine, healthy horses with an intact hair coat can usually tolerate winter weather with few problems if owners pay attention to basic feeding and management principles.
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Those cold winter months of mud, slush, and frozen ground … owners dread them, but feed dealers, anticipating increased sales, often look forward to them. The horses? For the most part, they don't seem to care, and in fact, many seem to be energized by the crisp air and chilly breezes. While very young, very old, or ailing horses might need specific changes in routine, healthy horses with an intact hair coat can usually tolerate winter weather with few problems if owners pay attention to basic feeding and management principles.

Water

If it's not the most important winter consideration, water is at least near the top of the list. Even when the horse is not working and sweating, water consumption is necessary to prevent impaction of ingested material in the intestinal tract. Horses naturally tend to drink somewhat less water when the temperature drops, so every effort should be made to ensure sufficient intake. Owners can start with these management steps:

  • Provide a constant supply of clean water that is not too cold. Experts disagree on the exact "favorite" water temperature. Horses will drink water that is quite cold, but they tend to ingest a larger amount when water is warmed to around 45 or 50 degrees F. Water that is hot to the touch is not suitable.

  • Make sure water sources aren't frozen, either by using insulated buckets, installing an electric heater, or frequently providing warmed water. NOTE: Electric shock will back horses off a water tank, even if they are extremely thirsty. If you have a heated water tank that horses are not using, check and check again (use an extremely sensitive voltmeter, or schedule a visit from an electrician) to be certain there is no "stray" voltage. Some horses will react to voltage that is too slight for humans to detect, while other horses don't seem to be bothered.

  • Adding water to feed, giving occasional bran mashes, and sprinkling salt on feed to stimulate a thirst response are all useful techniques, but these measures by themselves might not ensure adequate water intake. Also, don't count on horses eating snow to stay hydrated. Melting snow in the mouth and stomach uses so much energy that it's difficult for the horse to maintain a safe body temperature

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