From changing the coat to additional food: This is important to consider in winter. Read it now!
Our tips for horse and rider. The rides are getting frostier, snowflakes are left on the pasture and nothing works in the stable lane either more without gloves. Sure thing – winter is here! While you snuggle up in your warmest winter jacket, your four-legged friend doesn’t seem impressed by the cold air. But where does that come from? And are horses allowed to graze in winter? What about feed additives and coat care in winter? We have the answers and reveal how horses experience colder temperatures and what you should consider to ensure that your horse gets through the winter healthy and lively. Ready, steady, winterized!
Keeping horses in winter – can my horse go out in the cold? You must have noticed that horses usually cope much better with the cold than we humans do. Provided they are healthy. This is because horses tolerate cold weather conditions much better than warm ones. The comfort temperature of the graceful four-legged friends is in temperatures between minus and plus 25 degrees. Why? The horse’s metabolism works most effectively within this temperature range. Horses’ absolute favorite temperature is around a cool 5 degrees. Despite falling temperatures, you should allow your horse to graze regularly even in winter. Horses that are kept in an open stable often automatically develop a dense winter coat. If your darling is normally well protected in the stable, a blanket provides extra protection against the cold.
In addition to the stable and horse box, you should also winterize the paddock in particular. In addition to regularly checking the soil conditions, the drinking troughs must also be protected from freezing. Also important: Suitable retreat options (e.g. in the form of a shelter with dry ground).
This is how you winterize horses’ hooves When the snowflakes gather on the ground and it gets slippery, you should also keep an eye on your horse’s hooves. The snow tends to collect in the form of large lumps in your pet’s horseshoes. It becomes firm and prevents flat treading. Your pony is basically walking on high heels, which greatly increases the risk of injury. To prevent this from happening, it is best to use a hoof grip on icy winter days. This is attached by the farrier between the hoof and the shoe and prevents the snow from forming lumps under the horse’s foot. To ensure that horses’ hooves are not only slip-free, but also well cared for through the winter months, it is best to use care products such as our exclusive hoof ointment. It provides moisture and ensures healthy, shiny hooves even in cold temperatures.
Extra tip: Despite all precautionary measures, you should better avoid the picturesque gallop ride through the snowy landscape in winter and when temperatures are low. It’s difficult to assess what the floor under the glittering white coat actually looks like. You and your horse stay on the safe side if you simply go for a walk together instead of going for a winter ride.
Need that Horses in winter
But it’s not just stable and paddock conditions that need to be considered adapted to the winter conditions. The needs of your sweetheart also change during the cold season. Therefore, you should also adapt your feeding and grooming routine to the winter conditions. We explain what is important:
The right additional feed for horses in winter Did you know that the energy requirements of Amadeus, Silbermond and Co. increase during the cold season? This means that you should feed your horse differently in winter than in summer, for example. In particular, the need for carbohydrates increases due to the increased heat production of the horse’s body. In winter, it is therefore best for horses to eat a little more of their concentrated feed or mineralized muesli.
Since there is also no fresh pasture grass available, you should feed your darling with at least 1.5 kg of hay per 100 kg body weight. This helps to compensate for the lack of grazing ration. Supplementing the feed with straw can also be useful in winter. Especially when hay quality and quantity are no longer sufficient in winter.
But that alone is not enough to keep your pony healthy and happy through the winter months. It is best to regularly mix high-quality oils, such as our cold-pressed linseed oil, into the feed of your darling. This not only provides essential omega fatty acids, but also increases the calorie count.
Indispensable for a successful horse winter: A well-functioning horse metabolism. This also includes the right gastrointestinal balance. Our gastro-intestinal liquid supports the horse’s organism with herbal extracts and in a natural way. Also: Winter time is treat time! High-calorie treats can be fed more frequently during the cold months, because they also help with sufficient food supply.
But be careful: It doesn’t matter how well-fed your darling appears – whether or not it is skinny under the thick winter coat is only revealed by the touch test. Therefore, check the body condition of your horse regularly by feeling the neck, ribs and tip.
The perfect winter coat: winter coat care for your horse
You should also pay special attention to the right winter coat care. The change from summer to winter fur usually takes place from around September to November. Depending on the breed, housing conditions and weather, the process can take different amounts of time from horse to horse. A complete coat change can take between a few weeks and a few months. Already knew? The summer coat often begins to grow under the winter coat after Christmas.
During the change of coat, the horse’s body needs special support in the form of nutrients, because: The better the horse’s organism and metabolism function, the smoother the coat change. Older horses in particular need support for this bodily process. Especially important during the change of coat? Zinc! Because as an indispensable trace element, the mineral promotes fur growth by stimulating the cell division of hair and its roots. Our zinc pellets with purely organically bound zinc ensure a shiny coat, resilient hooves and a strong horn.
And what about cleaning the horse’s winter coat? Rubber harrows, spring harrows and coarse-bristled brushes are perfect here. They help loosen sticky fur, remove dirt and make it easier to brush out loose hair.
Through the winter with horsepower
Let the cold season begin! With our winter tips for horse care, you are prepared for any ice and snow chaos. With a keen eye for the seasonal needs of your darling, the right coat care and cold-proof feeding, nothing stands in the way of a successful winter season.
