Planning for Winter on Kentucky Horse Farms

Planning for winter now can help Kentucky horse owners prevent cold-weather horse care inconveniences later.
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Planning for winter now can help Kentucky horse owners prevent cold-weather horse care inconveniences later. University of Kentucky (UK) experts offer several recommendations for winter preparation, such as anticipating hay purchases for the season. Calculate needs ahead of time and place orders with hay producers for the amount of hay you will need for the winter feeding period.

"The hay supply may get tight if people start buying," said Bob Coleman, PhD, PAS, associate director for undergraduate education in equine science and management and extension horse specialist at the University of Kentucky. "It’s more of a national marketplace now, and in other areas of the country hay could be in short supply. I’d have hay sourced soon."

Plan how and when the hay will be delivered and stored throughout the winter. Clean hay storage areas to ensure nothing will attract raccoons or other vermin. Remember to store hay in a building that has all-weather access.

"Test hay for quality as soon as it is delivered if a test is not provided when the hay is purchased," said Tom Keene, hay specialist in UK’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. "Buy hay by the ton if at all possible and require certified stamped weight

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