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February 22nd, 2010 by KittyKitty

When you care for your horse, it is important to make preparations for the winter months. Horses should be able to tolerate the cold weather and stay as healthy as possible. All through the winter horses will have particular requirements which you as the owner will have to deal with. It is crucial to get ready for winter in advance.

Horses are naturally tolerant to icy conditions. In fact, horses come to grips with cold weather a good deal better than hot weather. Despite this, there are some rudimentary things owners will need to do to make sure their horses remain healthy. Be sure the horse doesn’t have any lice, and has been vaccinated up to date. The expenditure for doing these things will significantly pay off throughout the winter months, as the costs of feeding the horse will be much reduced.

You may also wish to consult your vet in planning up a health plan for your horse. Aiding your horse in preparation for colder weather will help it decrease the requirement to eat greater amounts of feed in order to retain its weight. There’s no need for your horse to lose weight during the winter. Allowing your horse to put on a small amount of weight will help them in the winter months, as the superfluous fat will work as a cushion to provide the horse with energy if it becomes stressed. In the winter you will want to give your horse some extra calories.

Probably the most effective protection for a horse in the winter is its actual winter coat. If allowed to grow, it will act as a warm blanket which will reduce the heat loss that the horse experiences in chilly environments. Your horse’s coat is also glossy and will help brush off off snow and ice. If your horses are kept outside, you must make sure their coats grow enough before the temperature drops for winter.

To confirm the state of your horse, you will want to rub its ribs. A large winter coat can easily hide the fact the horse may be losing weight. Your horse should be lean enough so that you can feel the ribs, but not so lean that you can see them. Feel your horses ears. Do the ears feel cold? If this is the case, your horse is cold.

Like all animals which are warm-blooded, your horse must maintain its body temperature to stay fit and well. It is important that they conserve heat through the winter, so you must ensure they’re equipped for the frost.

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