The Day of the Horse – this day in early December is marked by several horse organizations and advocacy groups to celebrate our majestic friends and their contributions to society.
“In 2004, Congress designated December 13th as National Day of the Horse, and it has been celebrated each year since. The day was established to encourage U.S. citizens to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history and character of the United States.
“Horses have been inextricably linked to U.S. history and culture since its beginnings,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “They have contributed greatly to the advancement of our society from tilling the fields to grow crops for early settlers, rounding up livestock on ranches and contributing $9.2 billion to the U.S. economy” (according to horsecouncil.org).
If you’re a horse owner, however, you don’t need anyone to convince you of the value of these gentle giants. The Day of the Horse, however, is the perfect lynchpin to pivot into some immediate seasonal needs: what goes into wintering your horses.
The basic process of transitioning from pasture to the barn or stable is pretty consistent across the board, regardless of the livestock. First, are there any cosmetic changes or repairs that are needed within the space? This can cover a wide range: replacing boards in the wall of a box stall damaged by a well-placed kick or cribbing; replacing a rusty gate; putting down new stall mats; freshening things up with a coat of new paint or wood stain, as needed. Whatever is needed to make the space functional and inviting for both your animal and you as their caretaker – that’s what we want to tackle.
Are any watering setups functional?
Are there any tools or supplies that need to be replaced or maintained and cleaned? Do you have the brushes and combs you need? Functional leads and blankets?
Are any medicines and veterinary supplies replenished as needed – and your horse’s records and your vet’s contact information current?
Do you have an adequate stockpile or access to the needed hay and feed, as well as any dietary supplements your horses might need?
That’s a more excessive wish list. All that it boils down to is adequate shelter, an adequate water supply and additional hay for cold weather. Making sure your animals have the right amounts of dry matter feed will help them create more body heat, as they will adjust their caloric intake to mirror the outside temperature and maintain their body temperature.
This fact sheet from the Experiment Station team at Rutgers goes into some greater detail about dietary considerations as you and your animals in the winter months.
If you are unable to bring your horses inside into a barn or stable for winter, some type of windbreak/overhang or run-in shed in the field is a good idea. You can build your run-in yourself if you have the resources and ability; you can also purchase one or contract with someone to build it for you.
Setting up your watering system for winter can prove to be a delicate balancing act, as this quote from a 2016 article from Oklahoma State University notes: “Chilly and sometimes freezing temperatures are making their wintertime appearance … and that means livestock producers need to be paying extra attention to the drinking water needs of their animals.
“No matter what type of livestock you raise, remember the days when you most want to stay by the fire are the days it pays to pay closer attention to water management,” said Robert Bourne, Bryan County Extension director and agricultural educator for Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Limited water intake depresses animal performance quicker and more drastically than any other nutrient.
“Frozen water sources and improperly functioning automatic waters are major contributors to limiting water intake,” Bourne said. “Animals drink water most readily between 40º and 65º Fahrenheit. Heated waterers that overheat can be just as big a problem as frozen water. Check them often and on a regular schedule.”
The key takeaway is adequate planning – as long as you are vigilant and plan well, you and your horses should weather a nice and relatively stress-free winter, snuggled up and ready for the snow.
Check out the links below for some additional reading:
Extension.umn.edu – “Caring for your horse in winter”
Uky.edu – “Winterize your horses”
by Andy Haman, with Tina Krieger
