Winter is approaching, or already here, in parts of Western Canada. The cold, windy days are difficult for horses, and for our horse care-takers. We need to pay attention to these 6 key aspects when feeding horses during the winter months.

Provide Ample Forage 

• Provide at least 2% of their body weight daily from forage
• Feed palatable hay. Hay that is over mature is low in energy density and high in undigestible fibre, which may not support appropriate body condition in the winter.  
• Feed hay that is free from dust, mold or debris. Often in the winter months we see horses with their head buried into a round bale, and if this bale is dusty or moldy, it will likely lead to respiratory concerns for your horse. 
• Hay ferments in their hind gut and works to warm the horse from the inside out.

Shelter, Wind Breaks 

• Shelter and wind breaks are essential for horses, especially to help them keep warm. 
• Bedding inside the shelter for insulation and a dry area to lay down will help to conserve body heat. Horses need to lay down to properly rest or recover.

Water access 

• Snow is not a suitable water source. Clean fresh water (that is not frozen) needs to be provided free choice. This will encourage forage intake and also help to limit the risk of impaction colic. 

Provide Salt, and a Balanced Vitamin/Mineral

• Horses at maintenance have a salt requirement that should always be met. Salt intake can also be slightly increased during the winter to encourage water consumption. 
• Providing a balanced vitamin and mineral will help to promote a healthy immune system. It is also important there is ample vitamin E, especially when horses are not consuming fresh green grass. 

Evaluate/Monitor Body Condition

• Aim for appropriate body condition when entering the winter season. This is typically a score of 5-6 or moderate to moderately fleshy. Horses entering the winter season with minimal fat coverage, or on the thin side, will require more feed during cold months to maintain body condition and stay warm.   
• Young horses and senior horses are particularly at risk for having difficulty maintaining body condition during the cold months. These horses need special monitoring to ensure their needs are met. 

Additional Energy Sources

• Sometimes free choice hay is not enough to maintain body condition during the cold. When temperatures are below -15C, horses will increase feed intake for every 5C temperature drop. Ensuring there is always ample hay offered is the first step. 
• Other energy source options include soluble fibres, such as beet pulp, will ferment easily in the hind gut and provide calories. 
• Oil or grains can be added to diets for horses that require more weight.