It isn’t uncommon for a horse to lose weight during the winter freeze. There are several reasons this may be happening, and it’s important to monitor your horse’s weight closely throughout the winter. Here are 4 tips to make sure that your horse stays healthy this winter.

1. Increase Their Feed

            Winter for your horse is accompanied by an increased metabolism. With the extra energy needed to keep their bodies at a comfortable temperature, they have to increase their food consumption. Ensure you are feeding them high quality hay, and consider providing free-choice hay. This will ensure that your horse is eating enough to stay warm during the winter. Any changes to feed should be introduced over a period of several weeks to allow the horse’s digestive system to adjust. 

2. Keep an Eye Out for Dehydration

         An increased consumption of food necessarily means an increased consumption of water. Water is needed for your horse to properly digest food. Many horses don’t like drinking cold water in the winter, so keeping your horse hydrated can be difficult. A Bar-Bar-A System can help, by allowing your horse access to water whenever they need. The system also ensures the water will be at an enjoyable temperature for the horse. 

3. Ensure Proper Blanketing

        Give your horse all the tools he needs to stay warm this winter. If he’s blanketed and is still shivering, get a thicker blanket. Make sure you check that the blanket isn’t too warm when switching blankets. Check under the horse’s blanket daily to monitor weight.

4. Exercise

            Although it is difficult during the winter, try and keep your horse doing some form of activity. This will help him maintain his muscle mass. The transition back to springtime exercise will be easier, as well.

            Contact the Horse Drinker to discuss more ways to prevent winter weight loss and learn more about keeping your horse hydrated over the winter.

As the chill of winter creeps nearer, it’s important to know the steps you need to take to prepare your animals for the smoothest season possible. Here are 7 steps for preparing your barn for winter.

1. Protect Medications

Examine any medications your animals take. Check if they are temperature-sensitive and take precautions to keep them at the appropriate temperatures. Consult with your veterinarian if you are uncertain whether the medications are temperature sensitive or not.

2. Test Water Heaters

Make sure any of your water heaters are functioning properly. One way to ensure water of the appropriate temperature is available for your animals is to install a Bar-Bar-A automatic watering unit. The way the unit is designed ensures that the water will be warm enough to encourage your animals to drink even in cold temperatures. The paddle that provides the animals with access to the water is made of aluminum and won’t freeze in the same way that steel alternatives might.

3. Stock Up on Snow Supplies

Ensure access to any supplies you might need in the snow. Make sure you have salt available in order to minimize hazardous icy walkways. Check any electrical equipment to ensure working order, especially snow blowers. Insulate any hand tools, so that they will be usable when you need them.

4. Stockpile Hay and Feed

Winter can be difficult enough without running low on supplies. Horses and other livestock often need more food in the winter, as keeping warm forces their metabolisms to work harder.

5. Inspect Your Blankets

Check that any blankets you use to keep your animals warm are the appropriate thickness. You don’t want your animals to get too cold in the winter, but you also need to ensure that they aren’t overheating. When using a new blanket, check underneath periodically to prevent overheating.

6. Clean Out Gutters and Drainage Ditches

Prevent future problems by inspecting the gutters and drainage ditches before bad weather hits. Flooding can cause immense damage to your property, so confirm that all gutters and drainage ditches are in good repair.

7. Necessary Repairs

Inspect roofs before the first snow falls. Walk the fence line, paying special attention to any damage on your property. Make repairs to prevent any further damage from occurring. Make sure all lights are in working order. Limited visibility can be hazardous in icy weather conditions.

Keep your animals safe and comfortable this winter by following these steps!

With winter approaching quickly, it’s time to start considering how you plan to keep your animals’ water supply from freezing this winter. Dehydration can be a serious problem in the winter. Hay has less water than grass, which significantly decreases your animals’ total water consumption. Here are a few ways you can keep a clear water source this winter.

Insulated Buckets

Insulated buckets are a good option, though they can be a bit pricey. They can cost anywhere from $75 and higher for just one 5-gallon bucket. They also don’t need electricity, so you’ll be saving on the electric bill.

Electric Bucket Warmer

Again, this can be a bit of a pricier option, with each individual warmer costing more than $80. Then you also have to pay the electricity for each one. They will also stop working in the event of a power outage.

Horse Toys

If you only have a thin layer of ice to worry about, you can place a half-inflated horse ball in a trough. As the ball moves around, it will dislodge ice, and your horse will quickly learn that moving the ball will grant it access to water.

A Cooler

An insulated cooler can be used as a trough if you remove the lid. You will have to prime it with hot water to warm the insulation, and then it should keep the water warm enough to avoid freezing.

Automatic Watering Units

These units generally require large numbers of animals using them to prevent freezing. Some units are available with built in heating components or other ways to keep the water from freezing.

The Bar-Bar-A is an automatic watering unit that doesn’t require any animals drinking from it to keep it from freezing. The mechanical, non-electrical automatic waterer drains the water back into the ground when the animal is done drinking, leaving an empty bowl. The water remains warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and doesn’t leave standing water around to cultivate bacteria.

Contact The Horse Drinker to ensure that your horse will have access to clean, warm water all winter, without you having to worry about it freezing and leaving your horse dehydrated.