Winter Months

It is important that horses are groomed on a regular basis. Horses in the pasture need to be closely monitored to ensure healthy hoofs and avoid a build-up of dry mud and manure.

Winter has proven an emotional but educational time for us. This is our first winter with Model. We wanted to ensure that she was comfortable once the weather got cold and was not in distress. Being warm-blooded animals, we knew that horses had to maintain a certain body temperature to survive extreme cold. We learned that horses can naturally tolerate cold temperatures which can cause less stress than extremely high temperatures. Our winters in the South are mild, in comparison to other regions in the Country, however we experienced days when temperatures fell below freezing. We planned for Model to stay in the pasture during the winter. We are assessing this decision on a regular basis to see if we need to make other arrangements for next winter.

So far, we have not encountered many problems. Model’s coat grew longer, which we need would become a natural defense in adjusting to changes in the weather. We initially assumed that Model would need a variety of coats and blankets for the cold. During our research on preparing for the winter, we found many recommendations against the continuous use of coats. Using coats improperly can inhibit the growth of the longer coat of hair needed for the winter. As temperatures drop, an increase the overall body fat is a second level of protection.

Rasheeda examines Model closely during grooming. With a thicker coat, it is important to ensure that she is gaining proper weight gain, especially around the ribs. Special care is given when examining her hoofs. It is an ongoing task to keep her hoofs dry and free of mud, dirt and dry manure. Model does wear a coat to protect her on rainy days and she is regularly checked for rain rot and other skin conditions.

Other considerations during grooming include:

• Checking the nostrils, gums, lips and inner eye for healthy pink membrane; purple or yellow discolorations should cause concern;
• Checking her hoof for sores and cuts;




• Making sure that her ears are not cold;




• Observing behavior: shivering or standing stiff may indicate that she is cold.

Buckets are checked several times a day for maintaining fresh water. It is estimated that horses need between 7 to 10 gallons of water a day. Monitor the water and keep it from freezing. Horses will not drink water that is too cold which can result in dehydration. It is recommended that water be kept at a temperature around 45 F degrees to encourage maximum intake.

Model is receiving extra minerals and hay. Increased calories will help to maintain body heat. The suggested intake for horses should average 1 to 2% of its weight (National Research Council, Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 2007).
Model’s feeding habits are being closely monitored to ensure that she is getting enough calories.

Our experience working with Model this winter will provide the baseline we need to assess if improvements are needed for next winter. For now, keeping her groomed is our most demanding challenge.

Labels: Caring for Horses

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