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Caring for your Horse in the Wintertime Winter is here, and the Angry young Child is it's chauffer. Our horses will certainly be experiencing cold and wet weather. With a little bit of care however, you can stave off nearly any problem. Just pay some special attention to shelter, blanketing, feeding areas, paddock drainage, foot care, weather related diseases, deworming, vaccination, and dental care. Whew what a list! But it's really not that hard, and can save a lot of money and time. Older horses and those with chronic lameness will need special consideration as well. Quarters We are often asked if a horse needs a barn or fully enclosed stall. Generally, I think not. Minimally, however, you should provide a wind break area such as a 2 or 3 sided lean-to or a grove of trees and a dry place to allow the horses to eat without the hay getting soaked and muddy. A covered feeding area is best, and it need not be fancy. Any expenditure you make will return savings in the long run by minimizing feed wastage. Blankets Blankets are usually not needed. If used they must be of the waterproof type and must be removed on a daily basis to allow air to get to the covered areas. extending blanketing invites skin disease from bacterial and fungal infections that can proliferate in the dark and damp confines of the blanket's underside. A wet blanket is far worse than no blanket at all Paddocking Provide an area in the paddock or pasture where your horse can keep his feet try. Horses can tolerate muddy conditions if they can get dry for at least part of the day. For example, you could make an 8' by 12' area enclosed by railroad ties filled with compacted gravel and use thus as your feeding area. The horse will be there at least several hours a day while eating, and may choose to be there other times. If a covered, raised area is not possible, you should change your feeding areas frequently so one spot does not become mired and mucky. As well, feed on the high side of the paddock and dig ditches to take water away from feeding areas. Care Regular hoof care is essential in wet weather. Don't forget your farrier just because you may not be riding as often. Feet grow more rapidly in wet conditions, and the soles are softer and more open to infection due to contaminated moisture and mud seeping into little separations in the soles. This often occurs at the white line, and feet that are long are more prone to split and crack. Have the hooves trimmed at least every six to eight weeks. If your horse wears shoes, consider removing them for the winter. Protective pads are an additional problem in wet weather because they trap dirt, moisture and bacteria underneath... a sure invitaition for infection. Feed Horses may need extra calories to stay warm. This is especially true of older horses who don't have as much fat reserve as you nger horses. Calories are best supplied by fat and carbohydrates. One to two cups of corn oil perday is an excellent way to provide concentrated and easily utilized caloris. Commerical rice bran feed is also good for this purpose. These products are typically about 15% fat. Equine Senior, made by Purina, is also a good source of readily utilized energy with low residue. The main ingredient of the diet remains a good quality hay in adequate quantity. Water provided in large containers does not freeze or chill as fast as that in small waterers. This encourages greater water consumption and overall better digestive health, which can stave off late winter impaction colics. Respect your elders Old horses should recieve special attention in the winter. These old friends commonly have multiple aches and pains that will surely be worsened by bad weather. Are their teeth in good condition? Do they need a place to get in and lie down? Do they need some form of medication to ease their way through the cold nights? Deworming and vaccination are important to ward off disease in this more stressed situation. Common Wet Weather ailments Common problems we see related to bad weather include: foot abscesses, skin infections of the lower legs ("Mud Fever"), dermatitis over the back and neck areas from dampness and mud ("Rain Rot"), colic, and respiratory infections. We are glad to help you with questions about these or other things that may arise this season. Please feel free to call and consult with either Dr. Latham or Dr. Sonder at any time. One of the Doctors is always on call Designed for NVVHI by Jake Latham Questions or comments about the site design? mail Me The NVVHI Logo and all other stuff herein. is copyright NVVHI and all that good stuff.