Protection from the elements is a basic tenet of animal care, and owning a horse is no exception. But what constitutes proper housing during the winter months? In many cases, adult horses in good health can tolerate winter weather with as little as a run-in shed in a pasture for protection against wind and wetness.
If your horse is pasture-kept during the winter, make sure the run-in has enough room to accommodate all horses in the field. Social dynamics within a herd can sometimes result in the lowest members on the social ladder being kicked out in the cold. When considering if your run-in is large enough to accommodate all the horses you plan to turn out, a general guideline is to have at least 50 square feet per horse.
Keeping your horse stabled during the winter has many advantages, such as less mud and slush, but remember that horses tolerate the cold much better than humans do. If your horse is barn-bound during the winter months, be sure there is enough air circulation indoors. This may mean leaving windows or aisle doors open. Dust from hay and bedding and ammonia fumes from urine can quickly turn a “cozy” barn into a respiratory hazard for your horse in the winter. If you don’t want the doors open at night, at least make sure there is abundant air circulation when you’re at the barn cleaning stalls and grooming.
Back to Horse Health in Winter >>
This article originally appeared in the November 2014 issue of Horse Illustrated. Click here to subscribe!
Anna O'Brien, DVM, is a large-animal ambulatory veterinarian in central Maryland. Her practice tackles anything equine in nature, from Miniature Horses to zebras at the local zoo, with a few cows, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, and alpacas thrown in for good measure.
Great advice.
Plenty has been written about the prevention, causes, and treatment of founder, but less information…
Needles and horses usually aren’t anyone’s favorite mix, but if you’re around horses long enough,…
These 7 tips for spring pasture maintenance will keep your horses grazing on beautiful, healthy…
If you're planning on buying a new horse, check out which questions to ask and…
Imagine an entire month dedicated to celebrating adoptable horses: For the past four years, the month of May has been…
Horses in the guest ranch industry come from varied breeds and backgrounds. Learn more about them. The scenery may be…
Thanks to a rail down by overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) on the 13-year-old German Warmblood gelding JL Dublin, a…
In a day of heat, then rain, followed by blazing sun, the sun indeed shone brightest on the British riders…
Tom McEwen of Great Britain had a big day under beautiful skies at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.,…
Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L. Currently in first is Yasmin Ingham of Great…