Equestrian News Archives - Page 5 of 5

Winter Horse Care

Horse Care Mistakes to Avoid this Winter

With Jack Frost on his way, another winter is upon us. And while many of us prefer to avoid the blustery weather and stay warm inside, horse owners don’t have that luxury. It is important to maintain proper care for our equine friends during the winter season. Below, I’ve provided five basic winter horse care tips on caring for your horse during the cold winter months:

Frozen Water

Even though the heat of the summer is over, it is still important that your horse stays hydrated; which isn’t possible if his water freezes. This isn’t as common of a problem for horses that are stabled through the winter, but it’s of utmost concern for horses that are always outside. There are water heaters made specifically for outdoor water buckets, so you’ll never have to worry about your horse not having access to liquid water. If this is not an investment that interests you, be sure to check the water at least once a day to ensure it is not frozen.

Increasing Feed Rations in Cold Weather

Horses (like humans) burn more calories in the cold winter temperatures in order to stay warm. A great way to ensure that your horse stays warm on those especially crisp days and cold nights is to provide extra hay. Hay is the best way to keep the horse’s digestive furnace burning. If your horse is does less work or gets less exercise in the winter, consider reducing or eliminating grain and increasing the hay ration.

Exercise

Logically, it is very important to continue to exercise your horse regularly during the winter months. For those owners with access to an indoor arena, this is not typically a problem. Owners who do not have a place to ride may want to consider investing in a horse exerciser or horse walker. This equipment can provide a great alternative to an indoor arena, especially the track covered horse exerciser.

When it’s cold, it is critical that you provide ample time for your horse to warm up and get loose before putting him to work. For horses that are back sore or tend to be extra stiff in the cold, put a heating pad on his back for 10 minutes prior to exercise. This will help him warm up faster and make him more comfortable. It is essential not to over work a horse in the winter, because the cold can greatly increase his susceptibility to tendon and ligament injuries. If your horse is out of shape, be sure to ease into workouts and slowly increase your exercise regime. Lastly, it is equally necessary to allow plenty of time for your horse to cool down slowly before putting him out or back into his stall. A quick transition from hot to cold will make your horse stiff and can cause muscle and joint pain and tenderness.

Blanketing

Whether or not to blanket your horse is often controversial. The quick answer is that it depends both on the horse and the situation. A horse that is worked throughout the winter, especially one that is body clipped or trace clipped, needs to have both sheets and blankets. Older horses, sick horses, or thin rescue horses may require the extra warmth a blanket offers in the colder months. Healthy horses that live outside in the winter really do not require a blanket, as their thick natural coat is designed to keep them warm, even when covered in snow. Although they may feel cold to the touch, remember that their insulating layer traps heat next to the skin. Be sure, however, that they have some form of wind break, shelter or run-in shed in which they may take refuge from the elements.

Grooming

Grooming in the winter is still necessary to keep your horse’s coat healthy, and it is a great way to enjoy the company of your horse if you are unable to ride. So bundle up and go enjoy the fresh (albeit cold) air with your horse this winter!

WINTER TRAINING TIPS

Horse Exercise Winter Training Tips

Winter is on the horizon. This is not always the best time for horses to exercise and ride. You might see this as a good time for you and your horse to hibernate indoors, enjoy the holidays and relax. Planning some time for fitness and exercise will help your horse retain some muscle tone and endurance, minimizing risks for injuries in the more accommodating spring weather.

Surfaces

One of the disadvantages to exercising outdoors in the wintertime is that ground surfaces can be uneven. This gives your horse more opportunity to strain tendons and muscles as you ride. Spending less time on your horse lowers the chances of muscle strain, but riding less can minimize exercise and cause a loss in muscle tone. Stick to locations with a reliable footing surface to lessen the risk without taking fitness out of the equation.

Exercising Without Riding

Using a horse exerciser is one way to ensure that horses get enough physical exercise to prevent loss of muscle tone and strength during the winter months. While many horses are given time off in the wintertime because there are no shows or upcoming competitions, it’s still important for them to stay physically fit. Letting them stay in the stable and eat hay may be relaxing, but it will require extra efforts come springtime. A daily exercise routine without riding can do just that.

Inclement Weather

If cooler temperatures and poor weather conditions due to precipitation happen more often than not, you may wish to keep your horse indoors or in a protected area. Providing ample warmth and an opportunity to get exercise to walk or run and stay warm and dry are also options, however. Using an indoor arena during the winter months can prevent outdoor discomfort for your horse, as well as for the trainer, while keeping those extra pounds at bay.

Daylight

Limited time availability during daylight hours can also put a damper on winter exercise. Set a consistent routine for your horse to have ground training and exercise, even when you’re not available to ride or the weather isn’t cooperating.

For horses that have a minimal exercise routine during the winter months, it’s important that they receive a body conditioning score before planning out their springtime workouts. Finding out what its needs are can help you create a balanced plan that will help in conditioning and achieving the proper weight for shows and competitions.