Winter will be here before we know it and this is the time of year when we may need to keep a closer eye on our horses. Though they’re often well-suited to handle all kinds of weather, horses can be at increased risk of certain illnesses or other problems in winter.
Keeping Your Horse War
Horses have several mechanisms in place to help them stay warm in winter, including growing a thick winter coat and producing more body oil to help repel water. However, the best way for horses to stay warm is by consuming more forage, as this helps to produce internal heat through bacterial fermentation in the cecum and large intestine. In fact, eating forage produces a greater amount of internal heat when compared with eating grains, which are mostly absorbed in the small intestine.
A good rule of thumb to follow when feeding forage in winter: for every 10 degrees F it is below freezing, increase your horse’s hay ration by 10%. If a horse doesn’t have enough forage to eat, they will burn calories by shivering in order to stay warm.
So long as horses have access to some form of shelter to protect them from wind and rain, most horses do fine in winter, but older or thin horses can benefit from wearing a waterproof blanket when temperatures are below freezing.
Water Consumption
One of the biggest challenges in winter can be ensuring that your horse is drinking enough water. When the weather cools off, so does your horse’s water source, and many horses may be more reluctant to drink. In fact, studies have shown that horses prefer a water temperature between 45-65 degrees F, so when the air temperature is cooler than that, this is where tank heaters and/or heated water buckets can help.
Another way to get more water into your horse is to soak feed, hay pellets, or hay cubes in warm water to make a mash.
Thirdly, ensuring that your horse has loose salt available at all times will help to promote drinking. We recommend offering our Pure Unrefined Sea Salt free choice.
The Horse’s Immune System
When horses experience stress over a long period of time, such as during a prolonged cold snap, they can become more susceptible to illness. But the good news is that certain nutrients and herbs naturally support the immune system and can be great to add to your horse’s diet to give them a boost. Our Immunoboost powder is formulated to strengthen the immune system while also boosting immune response to toxins and pathogens in the body.
Vyrex is another immune-supporting supplement we offer as part of our signature herbal line. This supplement works as a preventative, naturally supporting the immune system. It consists of a blend of organic herbs, including garlic, fenugreek, echinacea, Siberian ginseng, and astragalus.
Additionally, our Icelandic Organic Kelp contains 60 trace minerals, micro nutrients, and amino acids, as well as many natural vitamins which all help boost the immune system, balance hormones, and lower high blood cholesterol levels. It’s great to feed in winter and all year round!