Proudly owning a horse or pony is a joy and a privilege, but of class that comes with the accountability for their welfare. Even though the huge greater part of homeowners are vigilant about their horse’s wellness and ease and comfort all calendar year spherical, it is always beneficial to make absolutely sure you are perfectly geared up in progress for the colder and wetter months forward.
Assess the unique needs of your equine
Any information on equine care will generally be basic, because they are all persons with their possess particular requires. For instance, native ponies such as the Highland and Dartmoor are perfectly adapted to the British climate, with thick waterproof coats, and a normal foraging intuition.
Heat bloods and cross breeds are inclined to have thinner pores and skin and coats, and are commonly less hardy. If your horse or pony is aged or in lousy wellness, they will also need some excess focus in winter.
Feeding horses in winter
Equines who are saved out in winter ought to have obtain to adequate ranges of grazing. If the pasture is muddy or sparse, the grass ought to be topped up with excellent high quality hay or haylage. Build up the volume you give them gradually, as a unexpected alter can upset their digestive systems.
Horses who are stabled, and/or in common operate for the duration of the winter season, may perhaps need to have their food plan supplementing with further fibre and protein. This may possibly also implement to any equine in inadequate condition, to assistance with the balance of natural vitamins and minerals in their eating plan.
Aged animals may well have inadequate enamel which can make foraging tough, and they need to have pellets or cubes soaked into a mash. Guard against dehydration by preserving drinking water troughs ice-cost-free, and topping them up with heat h2o if your horse is hesitant to drink.
There are a good deal of bagged pony pellets horse feed to opt for from, so it is really worth owning a chat with your vet about which form will fit your horse or pony ideal. People which consist of cereal, these as oats and barley, are increased in vitality than those which are fibre-centered, these as alfalfa or sugar beet.
Rugging horses in winter season
It is vital to keep in mind that horses and ponies do not truly feel the chilly in the exact way as people do, and most do not have to have a rug in temperatures higher than 5°c. Nevertheless, equines who dwell out in excess of the wintertime should really have access to a secure subject shelter to give protection from the wind and rain.
Horses who have clipped coats, or who are really lean and with out significantly physique unwanted fat to preserve them heat, will will need rugging up faster than healthful animals with a thick coat. If you do rug your horse, just take care to make confident that it fits well, and does not rub them anyplace.
Test their toes generally in moist weather conditions
If your horse is kept out all wintertime and the circumstances are soaked, chances are the ground will become waterlogged and muddy. Preserve an eye on their legs and hooves for any signal of infection, and rotate your grazing land if feasible. If you do not have room for this, protect up the worst boggy ground with sand or straw.
