The Feed Room

horse in snow wearing a red blanket representing When to Blanket a Horse

As the winter season approaches, the decision to blanket a horse can be a topic of confusion and debate. While some horses can thrive without blankets, understanding when it is necessary to provide extra protection and warmth is crucial. In this article, we address common questions and provide expert advice on when to blanket your horse during the winter months.

Question and Answer: Understanding Winter Blanketing

The Confusion and Personal Preferences

Question: “I’m confused about blanketing my horse during winter. Growing up, our horses were happily housed outside without blankets, as they had access to shelter. However, now that I’m boarding my horse, everyone at the barn blankets their horses and thinks I’m crazy not to. Can you provide some advice on blanketing during the winter?”

Answer: Blanketing practices vary based on individual circumstances, including show schedules and personal preferences of horse owners. While some horses may not require blankets, there are situations when blanketing becomes necessary to minimize the effects of cold or inclement weather.

When to Blanket: Key Considerations

To determine if blanketing is necessary, consider the following factors:

1. Lack of Shelter and Extreme Cold

Blanketing is recommended when there is no available shelter during turnout periods, and temperatures drop below 5°F, or the wind chill is below 5°F. The blanket provides additional insulation and protection against severe weather conditions.

2. Wet Weather Conditions

Blankets are beneficial if there is a chance the horse will become wet due to rain, ice, or freezing rain during cold weather. Wet hair reduces the horse’s ability to retain body heat, increasing the risk of hypothermia.

3. Clipped Horses

Horses that have had their winter coat clipped for specific purposes, such as showing or intense exercise, may require blankets to compensate for the lack of natural insulation provided by their coat.

4. Young or Elderly Horses

Very young or elderly horses have a harder time regulating their body temperature and may benefit from blankets to stay comfortable and prevent temperature-related health issues.

5. Horses Recently Relocated from Different Climates

If a horse has been recently moved from a southern climate to an area with colder winters, they may not have had time to acclimate to the lower temperatures. Blanketing can provide them with additional warmth until they adjust.

6. Poor Body Condition

Horses with a body condition score of 3 or less (on a scale of 1-9) may struggle to maintain their body heat and may benefit from the added insulation provided by blankets.

Understanding Winter Coat Development

Natural Winter Coat Growth and Shedding

Horses naturally develop a winter coat until the Winter Solstice (around December 22), as days become shorter. Afterward, they start shedding their winter coat and forming their summer coat as the days gradually lengthen. Blanketing before December 22 may decrease a horse’s natural winter coat growth.

Properly assessing when to blanket a horse during winter requires considering factors such as shelter availability, weather conditions, coat condition, age, and body condition score. While some horses can withstand the cold without blankets, others benefit from the added warmth and protection. Observing your horse’s behavior, consulting with professionals, and considering individual circumstances will help you make informed decisions regarding winter blanketing.

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Cooper and Ferris in a snowstorm — Ferris and Cooper enjoy turnout in the winter months; it keeps them fit and happy.

This is my favorite time of year! It is a time of reflection and relaxation after the show season, when I have time to hit the trails and enjoy the fall colors without the bugs tagging along. The leaves have changed and like it or not, Old Man Winter is right around the corner. Shorter days and cooler temperatures are signaling our horses to grow their winter hair coats.

With these seasonal changes, there are a few good management practices and considerations that can facilitate a smooth and stress free transition into the cooler months of the year.

Salt: Make sure loose white salt along with fresh clean water is available to your horse(s) at all times. Meeting this requirement helps keep your horse drinking, and may help prevent seasonally related colic episodes due to reduction in water consumption as the days get colder.

Loose salt is preferable to a block, as horses are not partial to licking a cold block as temperatures fall, and may not consume enough to meet requirements. However, a salt block is preferable to no salt at all.

Water: Provide water in an insulated or heated bucket/tub. Research suggests that water kept between 40 – 65°F is preferable to cold water, and helps maximize consumption. Make sure your water source is insulated or heated to prevent ice formation when temps dip down below freezing.

Check electrical wires and grounding to ensure everything is working properly and is safe. All wires should be protected to prevent chewing or disconnection from the power supply.

Hay: Providing hay as an alternative to fresh pasture as grass goes dormant is a common practice to meet forage and increased energy requirements as it gets colder. Stock up now! Having a reliable source of good quality hay that will get you through the winter months is important.

Long stemmed forage is the best, however hay cubes, complete feeds, hay stretchers or replacers can be good solutions if hay is scarce, too expensive, or of poor quality.

Foot care: Having a chat with your farrier about your goals and your horses’ specific needs over the winter is advisable. You may want to consider non-slip solutions or snow pads for horses that are shod, or potentially taking off shoes, and letting your horse go barefoot for a few months. In any case, regular trimming and balancing should be continued throughout the winter months although frequency may go down due to slower rate of hoof growth during this time of year.
Check in with your veterinarian: Fall is a good time to check in with your vet to make sure your horse is up to date on recommended vaccinations, dental care, and de-worming.

With a little extra preparation and effort, you and your horse can enjoy a wonderful winter together!