• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Horse Care

    8 Tips To Help Your Horse Cope With Winter

    Modified: Jan 30, 2016 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    We’re deep into the throes of winter, the snow is flying, and the temperatures continue to drop. Are you worried about how your horse is coping with this challenging season? These eight tips can help you to keep your horse healthy and comfortable.

    Feed Plenty of Hay

    Image source: MotoWebMistress via Flickr
    Image source: MotoWebMistress via Flickr

    As the temperatures drop, the amount of hay that you feed your horse should increase. The act of eating and digesting hay helps to keep your horse warm, and he will need the extra calories in order to keep his weight on.

    Keep Water Accessible

    Image source: Bambe1964 via Flickr
    Image source: Bambe1964 via Flickr

    It’s so important to keep your horse properly hydrated during the winter. Make sure that your horse has continuous access to clean, unfrozen water. Monitor your horse’s drinking habits to make sure that he isn’t getting dehydrated, which can put him at risk of impaction colic.

    Blanket Appropriately

    Image source: Eric LaMontagne via Flickr
    Image source: Eric LaMontagne via Flickr

    If you choose to blanket your horse, then do so appropriately. It’s necessary to change your horse’s blankets as temperatures change, or if a blanket gets wet through to the underside. If your horse has a thick coat, then he may be perfectly fine without wearing a blanket.

    Provide Adequate Shelter

    Image source: ripperda via Flickr
    Image source: ripperda via Flickr

    Make sure that your horse has adequate shelter against rain, wind, and snow. Providing your horse with shelter is essential to keeping him warm and healthy during the winter.

    Remove Blankets Regularly

    Image source: Sean via Flickr
    Image source: Sean via Flickr

    If you choose to blanket your horse, then it’s important to remove his blankets regularly. When you remove your horse’s blankets, check for blanket rubs and assess your horse’s weight to make sure that he isn’t losing weight.

    Groom Your Horse

    Image source: Chris Barnes via Flickr
    Image source: Chris Barnes via Flickr

    Your horse can become very itchy beneath his blanket, and when he wears a blanket, he can’t scratch himself while rolling as effectively as he can without a blanket. Give your horse a good currying session at least every few days.

    Keep Air Moving Through Your Barn

    Image source: Wendy via Flickr
    Image source: Wendy via Flickr

    It might be tempting to seal up your barn against wind and drafts, but your horse needs fresh air in order to keep his respiratory system healthy. Even if you close the barn doors, leave a few windows open to keep fresh air moving through your barn.

    Monitor Footing

    Image source: Chewel96 via Flickr
    Image source: Chewel96 via Flickr

    Sometimes your pasture’s footing may become too icy to be navigated safely. In cases like this, it is wise to relocate your horse to a different pasture, or to keep him inside until conditions improve. If you’re dealing with smaller icy patches, you may be able to sand them to improve the traction.

    Caring for your horse during the winter requires some additional time, but you can help your horse to cope with winter just fine.

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

     

    More Horse Care

    • A woman brushing a brown horse with a green brush.
      7 Ways to Get Rid Of Dandruff on Your Horse
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • lone brown horse at barn door
      10 Items Every Horse Owner Needs in Their Barn First Aid Kit
    • 6 Important Things The Horse Care Books Don't Tell You

    Sharing is caring!

    2.1K shares
    • Share2.1K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 10 Top YouTube Channels for Horse Lovers
    • 11 Horse Gadgets and Apps for Tech Lovers
    • 11 Surprising Christmas Ideas for Horse Lovers
    • 6 Of The Best Places to See Wild Horses in the US
    • 7 Top Podcasts for Horse Lovers (Trending Now)

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    2.1K shares
    • 2.1K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy