Comments on: 10 Winter Health Care Mistakes to Avoid

By: Tammie Houston

Tammie Houston — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:46:36 +0000

It’s great that you mentioned keeping horses outside during the day and only putting them indoors during the night. That should ensure a nice balance for them so that they can keep healthy and get the exercise they need. I’m planning on raising a few horses here on our property and wasn’t sure how I should go about getting a shelter for them. I’ll be sure to look for a pre-manufactured horse shelter that matches your description of having three sides covered so they’re protected from the elements especially during winter. Your article is a big help, thanks.

By: Annie Edwards

Annie Edwards — Sat, 09 Jan 2021 00:35:42 +0000

I have a senior horse that was weak and was barely able to stay on her feet. She had lost her appetite. After some coaxing and TLC, she slowly stood up. We shielded off an area close to the house, watched her through the night and shielded her from the cold, damp north wind. The next morning she started to eat. Small amounts at first. Then gradually more. A week later she is doing much better. Your article was right on time. I plan on purchasing a waterproof blanket to help get her through the winter, but was not sure about fabrics, etc. After reading your information, I will be ordering one in the morning!

By: Chloe

Chloe — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 10:19:14 +0000

Actually I feel very conflicted over #7. Our farrier says during winter months call 10-12 weeks for shoes. There hooves don’t grow as fast in the cold winter, therefor they need LESS farrier time. Also, I rarely blanket my 9 year old QH, we only blanket him with a rain sheet when its pouring and a medium heavy blanket when it freezes bad, or is snowing.

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 17:42:03 +0000

Very good, especially #7. Living with a farrier I never stop hearing how owners neglect the feet,NOT only in winter but all year long!!! An article needs to be put out there stressing the fact that horses who’s feet are not taken care of will not be healthy enough to keep a shoe on,will split/crack among other things. Stop blaming the farrier for your neglect the farrier can only try to fix what you let go.There is a tool most of us call a HOOF PICK, designed to clean the foot of a horse, use it several times a week. It will help improve the health of your horses feet..

By: Irene

Irene — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 13:50:32 +0000

I found it very informative. I am guilty of the closed barn and blanketing. Changes will be made. Thank you for the information

By: Maddie

Maddie — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 06:46:57 +0000

Barbara, a coat that is covered in mud cannot fluff up to keep your horse warm. Mustangs have not survived for “millennia”. Centuries, not millennia. They are also subject to natural selection. If they can’t handle the elements, they die and don’t reproduce. Our modern horses are selectively bred. If they can’t handle the elements they get thrown inside and blanketed. So if you breed horse that never inherited the adaptations necessary to be okay to be thrown out in a pasture, that resulting foal may wind up with and owner who does through it out into the pasture. It may survive, but it may not thrive. You cannot compare the modern day, selectively bred horse to mustangs that are subject to natural selection as justification for not giving them proper winter care.

By: Terrie

Terrie — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 14:59:41 +0000

We have always followed these steps and have always had to argue a few of these with other horse people. Thanks for sharing!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 15:43:39 +0000

No. 8 is bull. Dirt and oil on the natural winter coat helps keep the animal warm and dry. Keep them outside with a shelter from freezing rain, don’t stall them, blanket them or exercise them and they will be fine. Mustangs survived for millenia without any of that stuff and they’re fine. All I* do with mone in the w2inter is feed them and keep the stock tank free of ice, that’s all, I’ve never had any problems in 40 years, up to 25 horses at a time.

By: Faith

Faith — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 20:36:03 +0000

I absolutely love this article! It made me feel so good about my care for my horse..as I read each paragraph twice with a smile saying to myself “you do all this” thank you for writing it!

By: heidi stuckman

heidi stuckman — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 07:44:47 +0000

without blanketing or at least a rain sheet a horse should have some type of shelter in temps below 20 degrees? No hay in the pasture means no constant heating without shelter or blanket? no water in a tub and frozen stream means risk of colic? Can’t help but see three horses in neighbors pastures without these to help them on these zero degrees nights. I just threw two blaes of hay over my fence for them. Can’t hurt ?