Ready for Winter? Keep Your

Horses Warm in Their Stables!

When you were still a little kid, it was very easy to dream of having your very own pony.

Now that you’re all grown-up and you have finally bought a steed to fulfill your childhood

dream, you realize that the horse-riding hobby isn’t all about fun and adventures for it

comes with a lot of obligations as well.

Sure, providing horses with food, water and stables to live in is a fundamental

responsibility but there’s more to being a steed owner than just keeping your pet’s

tummy full or protecting it from rain. In fact, if you attentively care for your pet, you’ll

realize that there are specific tasks for every season.

The most challenging time for most animals is probably winter, except for those that are

used to cold temperatures. And for your horse, the winter months can be very difficult

despite the longer and thicker coat it grows during this period. Your pet may even try to

stay warm by staying close to other horses or keeping still in their stables. However,

regardless of your steed’s efforts to be as comfortable as possible, it is still your

responsibility as the owner, to provide particular care during the cold months.

So, to keep your equines warm during winter, you can try the following techniques:

Clean your horses’ stables and make sure that they are well-ventilated and

warm. However, make sure that there are no unnecessary drafts that can cause

dust and chills to your pets.

Provide blankets or rugs that will keep your equines safe from the cold. Also,

these sheets can protect your animals from bothersome flies, mosquitoes and

other insects. But here’s something you need to take note: check your horse

daily for any injuries such as scratches and cuts since the blanket can conceal

the animal’s condition.

Close all doors and windows of the stable or barn when not in use. Remember

that the winter season produces cold and moist winds which pose great threats

to your pets’ health, so keep them sheltered and warm inside their abode.

Provide more grain and hay since digestion can give off heat to your steed’s

body. When it’s cold, your horse will burn more calories as it tries to get enough

warmth, so make sure that your supplies last for the season.

With the additional supplies you need for the winter months, there is a big possibility

that space in your horses’ stables won’t be enough. A convenient option is to build

storage sheds or hay sheds to keep the food, additional blankets and other resources

safe from external forces. With proper care and attention, your horses will be healthy

and happy and they can provide you with fun and fulfillment for many years.