Winter Horse Management: Don’t Forget the Basics

Because you may not be riding your horse so often, winter is a good time to review your parasite-control program and it’s also a good time to check teeth. Feeding a horse with a parasite load is literally like throwing money down his throat, as you are feeding the parasites rather than the horse. Teeth problems can reduce digestibility drastically and make a big impact on energy supply, thus leading to weight loss.

At the same time as ensuring that your horse is getting enough dietary energy, it is important to avoid problems associated with overfeeding. If your horse is stalled and you can’t ride because of bad weather or fewer hours of daylight, cut his grain ration in half and increase his hay ration. This will prevent some problems caused by overfeeding such as behavior changes, laminitis, tying-up, and colic.

If your horse is kept in a wet paddock, standing all day in excess water will soften his hooves. This may predispose him to hoof cracks, splits, seedy toe, and foot abscesses. The problem will be worse if the horse is in negative energy balance or low on protein, therefore losing weight. In these cases, a biotin/zinc/methionine supplement can help keep your horse’s feet strong and healthy and will also help maintain skin and coat health and condition. For horses that need a higher level of hoof-related nutrients, Kentucky Equine Research offers Bio-Bloom PS (Bio-Bloom HF in Australia) to provide additional support for hoof quality and growth. If possible, clean your horse’s feet regularly, removing all mud from the hoof and lower legs. Trim long feathers (hair on the lower legs and fetlocks) to avoid scratches and mud fever. Oiling the feet after they have had a chance to dry can also help to prevent the hooves from absorbing water in the paddock.

Even though your horse should lose fewer electrolytes in sweat, some horses with longer coats can sweat profusely in winter, especially when worked if they are not clipped. A salt block in the paddock or loose salt in the feed is essential, and many working horses need an electrolyte year-round.

Electrolytes can be used year-round to replenish minerals and encourage horses to drink. KER recommends the use of  Restore SR and Restore Paste, a scientifically formulated electrolyte supplement designed to match the composition of horse sweat. In Australia, look for Restore.