Winter Care for Alaskan Horses
Water is the most important point about winter care. Horses must
have a constant source of fresh unfrozen water at all times. They do not
consume enough water in the form of snow to provide proper digestion.
Remember to check the water for electric shock from tank heaters.
On cold days, increase the amount of hay given to help keep your
horse warmer. More heat released in the digestion of hay than grain. Grain
rations should remain normal, but it is difficult to assess the weight of
the horse due to the long winter hair coat. Do a "hands on" inspection on a
regular basis by checking for fat between the ribs. Make sure you cannot
feel the hips or backbone.
Shelter is vital and can be as simple as a three -sided windbreak
or as much as a heated barn. Important points to remember are that horses
need shelter from wind, rain, and snow and ventilation if housed indoors.
To blanket or not to blanket? Horses that are kept indoors and
ridden in heated areas should be blanketed to prevent excess hair growth
that could lead to overheating in the warm exercise environment. You may
need to trace or body-clip working horses. Horses that are kept outdoors and
do not work should be allowed to grow long healthy hair coats and not wear
blankets except in the most extreme wet or cold weather. Use your common
sense and examine the overall health of the skin under blankets or winter
hair.
Horses should either be barefoot or wear ice shoes in winter,
never regular flat shoes. Prevent the barefoot hoof from becoming
excessively chipped, which can lead to sole bruises and lameness. Horses
wearing ice shoes, and pads are more prone to thrush and should be checked
carefully when the shoes are reset. Ice shoes are more likely to cause
coronary band lacerations from the calks to the shoes; if your horse tends
to interfere, you may choose to use bell boots for protection.
Regular exercise is important in winter. Always be sure to
thoroughly cool out the horse and dry wet hair coats before returning the
horse to the stable. Evaporation of a wet hair coat will cause chilling and
undue stress. Avoid riding on extremely cold, dry days to prevent lung
damage, especially in dusty areas.
With long winter hair and winter blankets, regular grooming is
very important to maintain healthy skin and hair coats. Be sure to keep all
horse blankets clean. Accumulations of dirt, manure, and dander on the skin
or blankets can lead to serious skin problems.
