Riding is a year-round sport and that means getting ready for all the different types of weather. Cold weather takes more preparation than the other seasons and brings with it unique challenges for your horse and your barn. Even if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where it doesn’t get super cold like we do, there are still a few things you should do to get ready, and it’s good to start planning ahead as soon as you feel that first chill in the air.
Tips to get your barn ready for the cold
Inside the barn
Stock up on hay. Your horse will be burning more calories keeping warm, so they’re bound to be hungry! For every degree under the horse’s critical temperature (usually around 18°F), the horse needs an additional 1% of energy in their diet. Feed additional hay during extremely cold temperatures (under 18°F).
Switch to more absorbent bedding. Choosing a material like pelleted straw can help you keep your stalls dry if you get a lot of runoff from rain. Typically, wood shavings and similar materials provide better absorbency with lower dust. Avoiding dust is key during the winter because your horse will be spending more time inside.
Add material for traction. If you live in an area with snow and ice, get sand to help your horse with traction coming to and from the barn. It’s usually not a good idea to use salt for this, as your horse may lick it and ingest the sand as well. Salt can also cause issues with your horse’s hooves.
Make sure your barn and stalls are well-lit. Change any lightbulbs that are out now so you can keep track of all your horses on long winter nights. You don’t want to trip in the pasture chasing anyone down when the sun sets at four or five p.m.
Weatherproof. Check for any spots where your barn might be letting in the cold and caulk or add weather stripping. You should have your barn inspected by a professional if you see any movements in the trusses and joints, cracking, or dry rot.
If your area gets into the colder temps or experiences freezes, part of weatherproofing is also removing any hoses or buckets that you’re not using in case they’re hiding water that will cause problems later.
Check your electricity and plumbing. Make sure to drain you pipes is you live in a cold area and leave those faucets running just the tiniest bit if a freeze is coming in. If your area gets a lot of power outages, consider investing in a backup generator. And, as tempting as it might be, to leave your space heater running, keep a close eye on it, as this is a known cause of barn fires.
Inside the tack room
Clean tack. Cold weather can be hard on tack, so make sure to clean and condition your leather before the first cold snap. It is helpful to be in a room or area where it is at least 70 degrees for your efforts to be the most effective. A warmer ambient temperature lets the leather soak in oil and conditioners more easily. Get more pro tips on tack cleaning in our blog.
Wash and fit your blankets. Winter is a good time to make sure all your blankets fit well. When your horse is spending more time in their blankets, it’s extra important to make sure they’re comfortable. We wrote a blog on what you need to know about horse blankets and how to measure your horse for one. It’s also important to make sure there’s no sign of mice or mold and waterproof or re-waterproof turnout blankets. Your blankets will go through a lot during the winter! Make sure they’re prepared.
Tips to get your horse ready for the cold
Schedule your vet and dentist appointments. Make sure your horse is happy and healthy before it gets cold. Scheduling a vet appointment before the beginning of the cold season helps you make sure your horse stays at a healthy weight and ensures that their hooves are healthy. Plus, the more your horse starts the season happy and healthy, the more likely they are to stay that way.
Take shelter. Have a well-ventilated shelter for your horse. Consider factors like how short your horse’s coat is and how warm they’ll need to stay. If your horse is pastured, you should have a run-in shelter, which is a small, three-sided barn-like structure designed to shelter a horse from inclement weather when needed.
With access to a shelter of some kind, most horses can tolerate temperatures down to -40°F. However, they are usually most comfortable at temperatures over 18°F. This shelter doesn’t have to be fancy, it’s just somewhere for them to freely go into and out of if the weather gets yucky. Like a giant horse umbrella!
Check water twice a day. Horses don’t like drinking water when it’s too cold, so make sure that you’re ready to keep their water warm enough to enjoy. Too much grass, not enough water could lead to colic. Check out our previous blog for tips on how to identify the beginning signs of colic and keep your horse well-hydrated.
Clean your paddocks. If you live in an area with snow and ice, make sure you remove snow promptly from paddocks, so horses have easy access to shelter, water, and feed. Removing snow also helps your paddock dry out faster in the springtime.
Winter’s coming quickly, so here’s the lowdown from our previous blog on caring for your horse in the winter.
Do
- Ensure your horse gets enough water
- Exercise your horse
- Watch your horse for weight changes
- Provide fresh air
Don’t
- Overdo it when exercising
- Store meds in unheated areas
- Feed block salt
- Neglect hoof care
It’s never too early to start preparing your horse and barn for the cold. We hope this helps you get off on the right foot as the air gets a little chillier. We also help riders get ready with winter riding apparel and equipment. Check out our website for a full line of thermal breeches and tights, jackets, blankets, and more. Or come get your gear in person!
