The Ultimate Guide To Winter Horse Feeding For Health And Warmth

Winter Horse Feeding: Keeping Your Equine Friend Healthy

As winter descends, horse owners face the challenge of adjusting feeding regimens to accommodate for inactivity and colder weather. Among the many questions posed is how does one ensure a horse remains healthy without overfeeding or leaving them shivering from hunger?

Forage First: The Heart of Winter Nutrition

First things first, if you’ve ever heard a horse munching on hay, you understand the joy comes from more than just taste. Forage is the cornerstone of a horse's winter diet, providing essential nutrients and warmth. Horses should be given 1.5 to 3% of their body weight in high-quality forage daily. This can include long-stemmed hay, forage cubes, or hay pellets. The phrase "high-quality" does bear repeating; avoid anything mouldy or coarse, as these could potentially harm your horse's digestive system. Fact me this: Like a built-in furnace, the fermentation of hay in a horse's hindgut generates heat, offering them that extra snuggle warmth during those frosty nights.

Adjusting Calories for Temperature Changes

Colder climates naturally boost a horse's energy needs. When temperatures plummet—say five degrees below the critical threshold of -15°C—be prepared to add around two pounds of feed to keep your horse's inner thermostat purring. Conversely, an Arctic blast at -40°C might necessitate cramming in up to 12 extra pounds of yum-yum chow.

Intensify the Menu for Higher Demands

Some horses have higher energy demands which only intensify with cold weather. Whether it's a growing foal, a hardworking stallion, or a mare in foal, expect an uptick in calories. High-energy options like grain concentrates or high-fat supplements, such as rice bran, might just do the trick. Just don't bombard them with changes. Introduce grain gradually over 5-7 days to avoid unwelcome visits from Mr. Laminitis or Captain Colic.

Hydration: The Often-Ignored Essential

Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to freeze! Horses are master skippers on the hydration front during colder spells. Access to fresh and ice-free water is non-negotiable. To encourage drinking, introduce soaked hay cubes or carry out the noble task of offering warm bran mash every now and then. You can also use a sprinkle of salt or offer higher protein feeds as thirst-inducers.

Keep an Eye on the Scales

Monitoring a horse's body condition in winter is akin to keeping a watchful eye on a soufflé rising. Aim to use the Henneke body scoring scale, targeting a balanced score between 4.5 and 6. Some natural weight loss is forgivable. Just ensure it's well within the bounds of healthy fluctuation.

The Hard-Keepers: A Different Tail... or Tale?

Some horses are hard-keepers—those who struggle to maintain weight no matter the season. Such horses require a constant calorie supply. Focus on easily digestible fibers like chopped hay or soaked beet pulp. These equine fairies shouldn't be left wanting because summer isn’t around the corner anytime soon.

Why a Consultation is Always a Good Idea

Given the uniqueness of each horse, wandering how to adjust diet might become a head-scratcher even for seasoned owners. A chat with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian can clear the fog and tailor a bespoke feeding program suitable just for your steed. After all, nobody appreciates being tossed into U-turns without GPS, and your four-legged friend is no different. By implementing these feeding strategies, you'll be better equipped to ensure your horse remains sated, warm, and healthy until spring sunshine peeks over the horizon. Better yet, both you and your horse will trot through winter with a little extra pep in your step! Sources used in this article: - [Saskatchewan.ca: Feeding Horses During Winter](https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/livestock/animal-health-and-welfare/feeding-horses-during-winter) - "Feeding Horses During Winter Letdown" by Anna Pesta Dunaway, PhD, TheHorse.com