Winter is not generally a fun time for us or our equine friends. We encounter many problems such as frozen water buckets and chilly barns. On top of that, your hands and feet are always cold and it seems to snow (or rain) about every day from November to March!..at least here in western PA.
There are things that we can do to keep ourselves and our ponies warm and comfy this winter. Starting with you! You need to keep your hands warm. Cold hands makes our hands numb and we may not be able to react quickly if we are too stiff and cold. We don't want to be sluggish! Try using hand warmers in your gloves and boots to keep your appendages cozy.
Now for our horsies. If at all possible, let their coats grow. Don't clip unless absolutely necessary. Clipping is necessary when a horse is worked and sweats to decrease cooling time. A wet horse leads to hypothermia and who wants to call a vet when the roads are bad. Some vets do not make farm calls in inclement weather. If you must clip, consider a blanket that covers the neck. Also, senior or unhealthy horses should definately be blanketed to prevent illness.
For winter riding, consider using cooking spray on the bottom of hooves to keep the snow from packing in. Reapply often! Also there are packs and other aids to put on the bottom of shod horses that will keep the snow from packing. Their tootsies may get chilly too. And if you have your farrier pull shoes in the winter, keep up with trimming especially if you ride in the snow. Long toes make horses clumsy in the warm weather, so it is exaggerated on a slippery surface.
Last but not least, the barn may also need some winter TLC. First of all, resist the urge to completely close up barns in the winter. Winter is a time where respiratory problems seem to escalate due to stuffy, not well ventilated barns. So while you may think your horse will be too chilly, try to remember their lungs too! Also, water buckets MUST be kept full with unfrozen water. Impaction colic seems to increase in the winter months so make sure to give them lots of water to help prevent this. Also, be sure to stock up on feed and hay because you never know what the weather will be. Just be prepared and have a safe and happy winter!
