Hydration is key for horses’ overall health, from their digestive health to how they’re able to maintain a healthy weight to how they can grow healthy hooves and more. As such, you may wonder whether or not hydration affects a horse’s ability to grow a winter coat, as well.
In short, the answer is yes. But if you’d like to learn more about how horses’ winter coats work and how hydration affects this, then keep reading.
Are Horses Okay In The Cold?
If you’re from a warmer climate or you’re used to blanketing your horses, you may wonder if horses are okay outside in the freezing temperatures. This depends on a variety of factors.
Some horses do indeed need to be blanketed, such as if they were clipped for showing or hard exercise, or if other factors have impacted their ability to grow a proper winter coat, like their age, breed, if they were moved part way through the cold seasons from a warmer climate, underlying health conditions, and more. If you want to know if your horse needs to be blanketed or not, consult with your vet, as they will be able to provide you with the personalized advice you need.
However, most horses can grow a good thick coat that keeps them nice and cozy all winter long. While you may look at snowstorms and think that surely, your horse would prefer to go inside to their stall, your horse might relish in being able to frolic around in the snow. You’ll want to ensure that they have shelter so that they can get out of the snow if they want to, but many horses are just fine being turned out in the cold.
How Do Horses’ Winter Coats Work?
Basically, horses’ winter coats work by trapping warm air against the horse’s body, which creates a layer of insulation. In short, your horses’ coats are like natural blankets.
If you compare the hairs of your horse’s summer coat with the hairs of their winter coat, you’ll notice that winter coat hairs are longer and thicker while summer coat hairs are short and thin, to ensure that your horse is comfortable for whatever the season is.
How Does Hydration Affect A Horse’s Ability To Grow A Winter Coat?
Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining your horse’s overall health. This includes everything from their hoof health to their gut health to their ability to grow a proper winter coat. Feed is obviously a crucial part of this, but water is as well. After all, horses can live for days without food – but without water, they won’t last very long.
In order to keep your horses healthy and to help them grow the coat they need in order to stay warm, you need to not just ensure that they are eating enough, but also that they have enough water to drink to stay hydrated.
Ensure Your Horse Can Hydrate Properly All Winter Long
Bar Bar A is here to help you keep your horses hydrated all winter long and to help them grow proper coats with our non-electric automatic waterers. Our waterers connect directly to your water line, ensuring that your horses always have access to fresh, clean, temperate water. We also provide an insulated waterer for those who live in cold climates – and if your horse is growing a hefty winter coat, chances are, that’s the waterer you’ll want to opt for.
To learn more about our automatic waterers and what option would be best suited for your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re here to help!