Staying Sound and Safe This Winter
Photo Credit: Brittany Bevis
Information courtesy of Equine Guelph
Winter is Here- Are You Ready?
- Cold and still can equal stiff- Below freezing temperatures can make hibernation look tempting, but inactivity in horses can lead to many issues.
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A breath of fresh air- Equids are equipped to deal with the cold. With certain precautions, maximizing turn-out time can be the healthiest option for your horse. Stall bound horses incur a higher risk for respiratory ailments that can impede or halt your horse’s athletic career. Read tips for cleaner air in your stable, courtesy of Equine Guelph’s Management of the Equine Environment course.
- Shivering seniors- If your senior steed is looking cold this winter, it may be time to feed more fiber and consider a blanket. Learn more horse management tips for the elderly equine with this information sheet.
Top Seasonal Tips
- Colic alert – Horses need water 24/7. When moist grass is replaced by dry hay, the need for water in digestion becomes even greater. Don’t allow water sources to freeze. Use Equine Guelph’s interactive Colic Risk Rater tool to assess your risk.
- Safe passage – You put winter tires on your car, but how will your horse fare in icy conditions? Keep pathways clear with a handy mix of wood chips, sand, and rock salt.
- Hair raising experiences – Beware the dangers of throwing a winter blanket on a sweaty horse. If your horse is not clipped, cooling out time will increase. Horses lose the ability to insulate themselves against the cold when hair is wet and laying flat. More tips...
- Winter weight – What’s going on under that blanket? Check your horse is maintaining condition. Horses should still receive a daily once over in the winter including hoof picking, wound checks, and monitoring weight loss or gain.
- Fire safety – Keep warm but not with household extension cords and heaters in your stable. For more fire safety tips…
NEXT OFFERING OF EQUINE GUELPH COURSES – Jan 13, 2014
For more info visit: http://www.equinestudiesdiploma.com/courses.aspx#Schedule
New: two week eWorkshops on Hot Topics: Colic, Behavior, Biosecurity: http://equineguelph.ca/education/eworkshops.php
