Protect Horses in Winter Archives - EquiGroomer Horse and Pet Tools

It’s a commonly debated question, should horses be blanketed in winter? Below is a look at both sides of this “heated” debate.

Blankets, Yay or Nay?

Winter presents a whole new set of challenges for horse owners depending on where they live. From plunging temperatures, snow, rain, sleet and mud, should you blanket your horse during the winter season? While some equines may need extra protection against the harsh elements, other horses may overheat wearing a blanket.

So what’s a person to do?

Things to Consider First

While there’s no definitive or automatic answer about whether you should blanket your horse during the colder months, there are some general guidelines that can help. Each horse is different, but the tips below can help you decide what to do for each individual horse.

Is your horse:

Shivering either in the barn or outside? When your horse is shivering, it’s the body’s attempt to produce more heat. To determine if your horse is cold, place your hand up inside the elbow or stifle to check for warmth.
Very young or very old? Typically, healthy adult horses can effectively regulate their body temperatures. But for senior horses and foals, they need extra help in staying warm, even if it’s not wet or windy outside.
Sick, injured or very thin? Blanketing these horses can help them conserve their energy and stay warm when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Without an adequate fat layer beneath the skin, thin horses (with a body condition score of 3 or less) require extra help with warmth.
From a warmer climate? Typically, it will take a horse a few seasons to adjust to his new environment and begin to grow a full winter coat.
A show horse? Since show horses are clipped to make them look sleek and shiny, they will need help in staying warm with blankets to compensate for the lack of a natural winter coat. A turnout blanket will protect against the winter cold and also against sunburn in the summer.
Not able to access shelter in the wind or rain? They may need a winter blanket to help keep them warm in harsh conditions, but it can be removed when the weather improves.
Sweating? The first signs of sweat will be under the blanket and may spread along their neck and behind their ears. If your horse is sweating, he’s overheating and it’s time to remove the blanket or use a lighter one.

Sleet, Rain, Snow or Wind, Oh MY!

While your horse’s winter coat can usually protect them from freezing temperatures (down to 0 degrees F with no wind or rain), it’s a completely different story when the weather becomes windy or wet. Under these conditions, the horse’s long hair loses its natural insulating properties and your horse will quickly become cold because their body heat is no longer trapped against their body.

“Horses with very short hair may be the only horses that need to be

blanketed during winter weather. In fact, a blanket may not be the best thing for horses kept outside in winter, especially when it’s wet.

“The blanket actually pushes the hair down, compressing the air spaces and the hair isn’t able to insulate the way it’s intended.”

(Mark Russell, Assistant Professor, Equine Extension, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture)

A Few More Tips

Make sure the blanket is well-fitted without slipping that can cause your horse to spook and potentially injure himself.
If you regularly blanket your horse in the winter, his natural winter hair growth will decrease.
Provide plenty of forage (fiber-rich feds like quality hay and/or beet pulp) to help your horse produce his own heat naturally.
Horse blankets come in a range of varying weights depending on what fits your horse’s needs the best. Make sure all blankets are breathable and waterproof. (Learn more here: 6 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Horse Blanket.)

And finally, below is an informative and even humorous look (is the horse a wussy?) at whether your horse needs a blanket from the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University.

Graphic on Whether Your Horse Needs a Blanket in Winter

When in Doubt

If you’re not sure whether you should be blanketing your horse in the wintertime, reach out to your local vet and ask for advice based on their experience, your local climate and your horse’s overall health and condition. Your horse is depending on you to provide what he needs no matter the season!

Equine Grooming Is Critical for Blanketed Horses!

When horses are blanketed, it can be hard to detect grooming or skin issues including rub marks or sores. That’s why it’s so important to maintain a regular grooming routine even in the winter.

The 3-Piece Grooming Set makes grooming your horse easier, faster and more comfortable!

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604 or click here to send us an email.

Additional Reading:

Does Your Horse Really Need a Blanket?

Monday Myth: Horses Need Blankets in Winter

What to Consider When Blanketing Your Horse

When to Blanket a Horse

Should You Blanket Your Horse this Winter?

Image Credits:

Chanita Sykes from Pexels

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Bhakti Iyata from Pixabay

Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

Pexels from Pixabay

Product Image: Courtesy of EquiGroomer

Welcome to the second part of keeping your pet healthy, happy, and safe this winter!

This new post focuses on protecting the well-being of our cats and horses.

The EquiGroomer Gift Bag is the perfect holiday gift for the pets and pet lovers in your life!

Winter’s cold and dry air can lead to dry and itchy skin for your pet. Regular grooming helps stimulate and distribute natural oils in their skin.

The EquiGroomer offers easy brushing with NO pulling, discomfort, or damage to your pet’s topcoat or skin.

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604 or click here to send us an email.

As we mentioned in our first blog (protecting dogs), our pets depend upon us to ensure their health, comfort, and safety. Despite their fur coats, our pets are still challenged by the cold and wet of winter.

It’s critical to educate ourselves about the winter challenges for our pets. Keep reading to learn the tips for protecting both cats and horses during the winter months.

The Rules of Winter: Cats

If you allow your feline to roam outside during the winter months, always watch the time (keep it short) and monitor their reactions to the cold. Do not let them out during the coldest times of the day or night.

Domestic felines (as opposed to feral felines) do not have coats to adequately protect them in the winter months.

Never leave your family cat outside all winter (even with a shelter).
Frostbite: Cats are highly susceptible to frostbite on their ears, nose, tail, and toes. Affected areas will be pale or bluish-white in color. Immediately get your cat to your vet!
Hypothermia: If your feline begins to shiver outside, bring them inside immediately to prevent life-threatening hypothermia. Towel-dry them including paws and toes.

Other signs of hypothermia may include unusual anxiety; crying; or lethargy.

NOTE: If your cat does not stop shivering in a reasonable amount of time, call or take your cat to your veterinarian!

Paws & Toes: Check between the toes for frozen snow or ice, dirt, or rock salt (you don’t want your cat licking any de-icing agents or chemicals). Also, check the paws for cracks and cuts. Massage moisturizing petroleum jelly or olive oil into your feline’s paws and between the toes.

AVOID cortisone cream, tea tree oil, or other essential oils on your cat’s paws without checking with your vet first!

Lean Protein: If your indoor cat spends regular time outside, feed them more lean protein.
Dry, Flaky, and Itchy Skin: Add a small amount of olive to the food (less is more to avoid an upset stomach). Using a home humidifier can also help.
Holiday Risks: During the holidays, remember holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats (and dogs).

The Rules of Winter: Horses

Shelter: During the winter, horses need access to a barn; or at a minimum, a three-sided structure to protect themselves.
Horse Blankets: Well-fitted blankets keep horses warm and dry.
- Blanket horses in potential rain, ice, and/or freezing rain. But never put a blanket on a wet horse.
- Body-clipped equines should be blanketed throughout the winter season.
- Blankets should be used on very young/very old equines or those not yet acclimated to the cold.
- Horses with a body condition score of three or less should always be blanketed.

Unfrozen Water: Ensure your horse’s access to unfrozen water. Horses need more water during the winter to prevent dehydration and colic.
- Heated water buckets, water heaters, or de-icers will keep water from freezing. The University of Minnesota recommends warm water between 45° and 65° F. (Snow and ice are not adequate sources for water.)

Body Condition Scoring: Use Henneke’s Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to accurately assess weight changes and overall health during the winter. Click here for the detailed BCS chart for scoring with the scale below.

Winter Feeding: By feeding your horse more (even unlimited) forage, they will create more heat and efficiently regulate their body temperature.
Special Care: If your horse requires special care during the summer months, that same care needs to be continued through the winter.
Equine Skin Care: Horses are prone to skin problems during the winter including ringworm, lice, and mites. To learn more, click here: The Horse, “Winter Skin Problems.”
Hoof Care: Keep up routine hoof care during the winter; including:
- Trimming: Every 6 to 12 weeks.
- Daily Picking: To remove packed ice or snow.