How Can You Support Your Horse This Winter?
In this article, I'm going over what you can do at home with your horses to improve their well-being during the winter season.
Keep your horses moving. This is the greatest challenge during the winter when we are faced with mud, snow, ice, and short days. Horses will do their best to conserve energy and don't tend to move a lot if they do not have to - this is survival-based behaviour based on instincts. However, their bodies (and ours) are built to keep moving in order to maintain circulation of blood throughout the organs and muscles, cerebrospinal fluid flow, lymph fluid flow, production and circulation of synovial fluid in joints, and much more. Easy ways to keep your horse moving include providing plenty of turn-out (not just a couple of hours out of the stall during the day), spreading your water and food sources throughout the turn-out area to encourage regular movement, hand-walking (even just 10-15 minutes a day is better than nothing - and over varied footing is even better), social engagement by allowing them interaction with other horses, and providing them with enrichment toys and activities (there are some great ideas HERE).
Learn some bodywork skills. There are many simple exercises that you can do with your horse to improve their mobility and comfort. Most of you are familiar with stretches, but even more so I recommend oscillations. These can be done safely and gently with the head, front end, hind end, and spine/tail. Oscillations are stimulating for joints and stabilizer muscles, as well as relaxing for the nervous system. They build both strength and stability as well as relieve tension. Not sure how to do them? I will show you at your next session, or reach out to me over email. Keep your eyes peeled for my video library coming this year.
Provide plenty of forage. There are countless studies available now that prove why this is essential for horses. If your horse isn't eating free-choice forage, I implore you to explore your options. Low sugar hay and slow feeders make this a possibility for even the easiest of keepers. Their digestive systems, mental health, and overall wellness depend on it. If you aren't sure where to start, I can direct you to trusted colleagues who are experts in this area.
Provide clean water, and a heater if needed. There is research to support that horses will drink more water when it is clean and, in colder climates, warmed with a heater. Not drinking enough water in the winter is one of the biggest reasons why horses experience colic in colder weather - along with lack of movement.
Track your horse's normal TPR. TPR = temperature, pulse, and respiration. If you know what is normal for your horse, you can monitor changes when your horse doesn't seem quite right. This is also invaluable information to provide to your vet when you call them for advice. Weight tapes are also useful for tracking changes in your horse's weight over time (although they are not always accurate for calculating their exact weight). Check out a YouTube video about taking TPR HERE.
Maintain veterinary, farrier, and bodywork schedules. Horses need support from their care team just as much in the winter as they do in the summer, no matter how much (or how little) you are riding them. These professionals can catch changes in your horse's health before they become problems that require major treatment.
Whether you ride your horse all year long, or your horse doesn't get much activity in the winter - consistent equine therapy sessions are just as important. Horses benefit from the extra support when exercising through cold and wet weather, and when they are not getting as much movement and exercise. Slips in mud and ice are also common in the winter months.
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