Winter is here, no doubt! With so many more challenges present themselves in the winter, we need to work harder and smarter for our horses healthy when the temperature drops. Here are some tips on keeping your horse healthy and keeping fit during the cold winter months.
1. The fact of the matter is that we do not often ride in the winter months that may dramatically change the amount of calories a horse needs to consume. With your horse standing around in paddocks or let him burn fewer calories, but again, your horse will need to burn more calories to generate body heat and maintain normal core temperature. Help your horse maintain his body temperature is important. You can achieve this by replacing två pounds of hay per pound decreased grain fed daily. Back in the day, the horse owners choirs during the winter. They felt it would help reduce the amount of heat and stress on the horse in cold weather. What we know is this: a horse that eats hay is able to generate more heat in the hindgut of the fermentation of grass and hay, thereby helping to maintain its body temperature. In all but the most extreme weather conditions, need a horse caloric generally only ten to twenty percent.
2. Dietary supplement to your horse with special dietary and / or nutritional supplements to ensure your horse receives the required amount of minerals and vitamins. Blocks and salt licks should be made available to them.
3. Water is the most important nutrient for your horse. During the cold months horses are more prone to impaction colic. This is when the intestine is blocked by a solid mass of food. Constipation most commonly found in the colon on a bend of the formula and can be caused by a reduction in water consumption. Water is essential for a horse to maintain a healthy digestion. To ensure your horse has good access to warm water will help prevent impaction colic. If a horse drink cold water, they must use extra energy to replace the heat lost to cooling water, reducing drunk. The use of a tank heater to encourage your horse to drink, and as an added bonus, you do not break a layer of ice every morning!
4. Preservation of hoof health, although winter is important as mud and manure pack also provides an ideal environment for mold to grow. Choose your horse feet often and once a week using an anti-fungal product as a preventative measure. You can create your own anti-thrush solution by mixing one part bleach to two parts water. Or make your own solution or a product Kopertox thrush, flush your skin and your horse's skin as they will prevent fires. A horse's hooves still grow in winter, so you have them trimmed on a regular basis. There are many products on the market, such as Farrier's Formula and Life Data Shoer's Friend (to name a few) that promote a healthy hooves. Keeping your horse's feet in good condition, free from breaks and cracks will eliminate hoof problems and get your horse healthy and ready for shoes in the spring.
5. Blanket your horse in extreme circumstances, or if you have a show horse with an unusually short winter hair. Be proactive and make sure the blanket fits your horse and is still in good condition.
6. Maintaining a good skin care is also important for the health of your horse. Bacteria and fungi can result from a dirty your horse's coat should be. Keep your horse's skin healthy by dressing method body often. Not only will this lift dirt to the surface, it will allow you to hide any bumps or sores that could indicate a wound or skin feel.
7. Do you ride your horse in winter? You bet! There are plenty of beautiful winter day. Press a few burns in your toe boots, gloves to add a good winter riding wear and get out and ride. If you do not normally Chaps / cracks in the summer to help them add to your winter wear. They are excellent for keeping you warm. Not just riding through the winter, good for mental health of your horse will do wonders for you.
8. If you have a tail bag on your horse, it is important to change the bag every 14 days. Rinse, condition and dry the tail rebagging. This will help her to stay away from breaking into the top of the tail.
9. Have a senior horse presents its own set of winter challenges. Talk to your vet about arthritis and joint compounds, and supplements to help them through the cold months. Your senior horse should be checked regularly to ensure that they maintain their weight and health.
10. If your horse out to pasture in winter, it's a good idea to have a place they can come out of the elements. A run-in shed is a good solution if you do not have a barn. The important thing is not about your horse and forget them. Monitor their health, have a visual inspection every day at feeding time and give them a little extra TLC.
Enjoy the beautiful winter with your horse ... Live, Love, and Ride often ...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment