11/24/2025
Are you ready for snow and colder weather? Here are a few winter horse care reminders. ❄️🐴
🌾 Make sure your horse has adequate access to forage (e.g., hay). Energy needs for a horse at maintenance increase about 1% for each degree below 18°F. For example, if the temperature is 0°F, a 1,000 pound idle, adult horse would need approximately 2 additional pounds of forage daily. It is best to provide the extra energy as forage since heat is produced from the microbial fermentation of forage.
🏡 Horses must have access to shelter from wind and moisture. A horse’s hair coat acts as insulation by trapping air, but when wet, the insulating value is lost.
💧 Most adult horses require a minimum of 10 to 12 gallons of water each day. Horses should always have access to fresh, clean water. Check water sources often to ensure they have not froze. Also, have an alternative plan for providing water in case of power outages. Snow and ice are not appropriate water sources for horses.
💨 Blanketing a horse is necessary to reduce the effects of cold or inclement weather when there is no shelter available during turnout periods and the temperatures and/or wind chill drop below 5°F; there is a chance the horse will become wet; the horse is very young or very old; and/or the horse has a body condition score of 3 or less.
