First Coast Pet

When you care for your horse, it is vital to make provision for the winter months. Horses should be able to tolerate the winter climate and stay as healthy as possible. In the winter horses will have particular requirements which you as the owner will have to take in hand. It is vital to organize for winter in advance.

Horses naturally lend themselves to cool climates. In fact, horses cope with icy weather conditions much better than warm weather. Despite this, there are some essential things owners will need to do to make sure their horses remain healthy. Be sure the horse doesn’t have any parasites, and has been vaccinated up to date. The expenditure for doing these things will significantly pay off during the winter, as the expenses of feeding your horse will be reduced.

You may also want to work with your vet in planning up a health plan for your horse. Preparing your horse for cold weather will help it reduce the requirement to eat greater amounts of feed in order to maintain its weight. There’s no need for your horse to lose weight during the winter. Permitting your horse to gain a slight amount of weight will help them throughout the winter months, as the extra fat will act as a cushion to supply the horse with energy if it becomes stressed. Throughout the winter you will want to provide your horse with some extra calories.

The best protection for a horse throughout the winter is its actual winter coat. If allowed to grow, it will act as a warm blanket which will lower the loss of heat that the horse experiences in winter scenarios. A horse’s coat is also glossy and will help brush off off the frost and ice. If kept outside, you will want to make sure their coats grow long before the temperature drops for winter.

To confirm the condition of your horse, you will need to feel its ribs. A longer coat may indeed hide the fact that your horse has lost weight You should be able to feel your horses ribs, but not be able to see them. You should also feel your horses ears. Are they cold? If this is the case, your horse is cold.

Like all animals which are warm-blooded, horses have to regulate their body temperatures in order to remain healthy. It is crucial that they conserve heat during the winter, so you should ensure they’re ready for the frost.

Visit the Horse and Pony Directory for more information and horses for sale

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