How to Take Care of Horses During the Winter

white horse grazing in the snowy meadow at sunrise

Cold weather, snow, and ice can make life difficult for horse owners while providing care to their animals. Horse owners in frigid winter climates are often forced to navigate through mounds of snow to reach their stable. This can make taking care of and exercising your horse much more strenuous. Additionally, horse owners worry about how the drop in temperature will affect their animals, as one of the last things they want is for their horses to be cold in their barns or stables.

Here are a few ways to take care of your horses during winter to keep them safe and comfortable!

Ensure They Stay Warm

If you have an older horse, consider purchasing a blanket for them. The cold could adversely affect older horses, who aren’t as equipped as younger horses to handle the rigors of winter. Make sure you choose the correct size to ensure your horse is comfortable and be aware of the materials. For example, if the blanket is not waterproof, you will not want to take the horse outside if it’s even just lightly snowing out. All horses can benefit from a blanket, but older horses and injured horses could especially use one.

Spend Time with Them

Make sure you spend time with your horse during the dreary days of winter, check for any winter colds or illnesses, and be certain that the winter’s elements haven’t created a skin ailment. Moreover, ensure the horses have a little extra hay for energy to get the blood flowing and have access to plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Also, ensure your horse is taken outside for fresh air and exercise on nicer days. The exercise will help with circulation, and it will help the horse acclimate to the chillier temperatures.

Provide Quality Shelter

A properly built barn or stable is necessary to ensure your horse stays nice and cozy. The builder should consider the local climate while building, and the horse’s quarters should not be near a drafty area.

At Deer Creek Structures, we can build you a custom prefabricated portable barn or shed to keep your horses warm and safe this winter! We can build directly to your specifications, and our high-quality barns can be made or assembled onsite.

Contact us at (254)546-2276 to request a quote or build your custom barn or shed online today!