Tips to Keep Horses Safe in Ice and Snow

Keeping horses safe in ice and snow requires ensuring traction on icy surfaces with sand or mats, providing constant access to unfrozen water, offering shelter from wind and wet weather, and ensuring proper nutrition and hoof care. Key measures include removing snow promptly, utilizing waterproof blankets, and checking hooves daily to prevent injuries and discomfort. Here are some suggestions.

Managing Ice and Snow in Turnout

• Create Traction: Apply sand, wood shavings, or shavings on ice to prevent slips and falls.
• Remove Snow: Clear snow from paddocks to allow easy access to food and water.
• Use Safe De-icers: Use pet-friendly salt or calcium chloride, but avoid high amounts of salt that can damage hooves.
• Use an Ice Chopper: Break up ice in high-traffic areas.

Shelter and Comfort

• Access to Shelter: Ensure horses have access to a run-in shed or stall to escape wind, snow, and rain, which helps prevent hypothermia.
• Blanketing: Use a waterproof, breathable blanket, especially for seniors or horses with thin coats, and check for rubbing.
• Monitor Condition: Ensure the horse maintains a healthy body condition score, as they may need extra calories to maintain warmth.

Hoof and Health Care

• Prevent Snowballs: Pick out hooves daily, as snow can pack and freeze into dangerous, hard balls.
• Apply Barrier: Apply petroleum jelly or hoof packing to the sole to prevent snow buildup.
• Check Shoes: If shod, consider special winter shoes with studs, borium or pads to increase traction. Ask your farrier for suggestions.
• Water Access: Ensure water troughs do not freeze, as dehydration leads to colic.
• Extra Hay: Provide plenty of hay; the digestive process generates internal heat for the horse.

We know the cold weather is a challenge for both owners and their horses. We hope these suggestions help to safely make it through the cold winter.

Have more tips? Let us know at info@equineinfoexchange.com.

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