There are many things to take care of around your house and stables throughout the winter, but your horses should always be at the top of the list.
You might have a furnace to keep you warm throughout the winter, but don’t forget that your horses can get cold too.
The following are just a few ways you can ensure your horses are comfortable even during the coldest days of the year.
Giving your Horse Shelter
Even if you plan on leaving your horse outdoors for long periods of time, you need to make sure they have consistent access to shelter.
- On days where freezing rain is falling or it’s particularly cold or windy, make sure they can get inside a barn or shed until the nasty weather passes.
A simple run-in shed can provide horses with temporary refuge in case they get caught in a sudden storm.
Provide Bedding for your Horses
Place your horse’s bedding against any doors that lead outside. This will prevent drafts from entering the stable at night.
- If your horse will be spending more time in the stable to avoid winter weather, you also need to make sure it’s as clean as possible and there is nothing left in the area that could injure your horse.
Food and Water are Horse essentials
During the winter months feed suppliers may run low on stock, making it difficult for owners to maintain their horse’s diet on the same feed.
- Purchase plenty of feed to get through the winter before the season comes and keep it in dry storage.
- Try to purchase feed that includes rice bran, which can help your horse build fat for insulation.
Horses prefer to drink water that’s not too cold, and ice formation can prevent them from drinking any water at all.
- Make sure to chip away and remove any ice that forms on your horse’s water bucket, and replenish it often with water that ranges from 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Treat your Horse with Creature Comforts
A nice warm blanket is an essential item for horses on chilly mornings.
You can place a stable blanket on a horse any time it returns from being outside to help them warm up more quickly. These blankets can also help protect horses from rain and snow.
Just remember to remove wet blankets once your horses come inside. Consider getting a turnout blanket for your horse as well, because they typically have better insulation than the average blanket.
- Senior horses in particular tend to need blankets to warm up in the winter.
In this solemn time of year, let’s take the time to tend to those creatures among us who need it most.
Deer Creek Structures will be glad to help you with your sheltering needs. Give us a call today to learn more about the run-in shed and portable horse barns we design and build right here in Texas.