Winter Wonders
Winter Horse Care
Winter Horse Care
For most of us in Winter and Summer means totally different with our routines horses.
The change from 24 hours to share a mix of parking and participation can be as detrimental to the horse as it is for you, so to keep interesting and viable for both is important.
Find a routine that is manageable for you and your horse will adapt, so do not set goals just can not be achieved.
Get help from other drivers, friends and family – dark nights and mornings can get pretty tired at the end of winter and is nice to be able to take turns have a night off or a lie in.
Try as much as possible when you have free time, like leaving things until the last minute does not allow room for the unexpected.
I always do my feeds in the morning, so if I got up, someone can put on a feed to me, instead of ending with a horse busy wondering where is his tea.
Fresh air and / or good ventilation is an important requirement for horses. Can tolerate considerable cold if they can move and are dry. Avoid drafts, but allow sufficient air exchange to move the stale air, moisture, ammonia and outside the horse's environment.
Agreement keep the stable clean ammonia levels low and there are some really nice products that destroy ammonia without damaging your horse, even if ingested. I can use a sweet smelling product that can be sprayed on rubber mats or mixed with bedding. Not only reduced the bacteria but it smells good too.
Try turning your horse out as much as possible. The luck is going to have an adequate exercise area, well-drained or a hard surface and access to a shelter. Most of us however it is likely to settle for a mud paddock, but that may be better than standing for hours. Remember to still have their hooves checked regularly and pick up mud and stones when they come, as it will be uncomfortable and potentially cause damage to your place if you have gum.
You may have to hold the horse according the amount of exercise is getting but then have to carpet to compensate. My horse usually has a full clip in late fall, then a new clip over blanket Later in winter, a layer grows very heavy and is a hot horse exercise.
Do not neglect your homework just because your horse is rugged up. It's a good idea to keep blankets out of date and check for any scratches or damage. dried mud will brush easily with a stiff brush and apply a little think layer of mud area repellent lotion really helps. I find it very reassuring to have a chat with my horse while grooming – she's a great listener and compensates for the reduction time spent on horseback.
Change of diet of grass hay or haylage can cause digestive discomfort or cramping, so try to make the change gradually. In autumn puts on the grass probably be very low anyway so you might start off a bit of hay / hay in the field. Keep an eye on the condition of their horse during the winter and adjust the amount or type of food, depending on whether their need to increase or decrease the weight of his horse. It is best to keep it under control, you have to make drastic adjustments soon. Be especially careful if you have a horse that could be potentially laminitis.
Make sure the horse has access to drinking water, especially when temperatures drop and the external supply of water can freeze. I've read that heat water to at least 60 degrees F increase consumption water by 40 percent to 100 percent. Dehydration (lack of water) is apparently the main cause of impaction colic in horses.
Try to keep an exercise program for your horse to suit your lifestyle. You may be restricted to road work, but a good brisk walk do wonders for your horse fitness and avoids the risk of damage due to excessive trotting on hard ground. Do a lot of bending exercises of walking and jogging that performance in the leg and shoulder if can find a safe quiet street. If you have access to an area of education, use the time to do some basic exercises, lunging, free education or brake hard.
Remember to warm your horse slowly and thoroughly before asking a serious job. You may need to use a piece of exercise to keep rooms hot back, and have the added benefit of providing protection against rain and if you use one of the fluorescent, visibility helps other users.
hot horse needs to be thoroughly chilled then brushed to stand the hair up again before his return out. Fluffy hair traps air and prevents the hot horse, hair plastered down flat or wet lets body heat escape.
The adaptation of their routine to take into account changes in climate, time work, hours of participation, and feeding programs means there is no reason not to enjoy your horse in winter and summer.
Nancy Garcia
2007
About the Author
I have owned my horse for 4 years. My articles are based on experiences of my own and fellow riders. I operate a free listing directory of articles and information for everyone with or interested in horses www.horseandrider-directory.com
Why is it difficult to open my front door and back in the winter.?
I always find it hard to open my front door and back in the winter. Only I was wondering if anyone knows why?
Are you serious? The wood swells from moisture and humidity. Do not be tempted to shave a little off the door, otherwise it will air currents, weather reappears.
