BTB: Now that it's really winter time...

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Now that it's really winter time... Posted: 06 Jan 2011 12:23 PM PST Living on the East Coast right now is Not. Fun. Wicked winds, ice/frozen ground/snow, and treacherous roads. Harv and Ri are getting hot beet pulp mashes every night. Equine insurance claims peak during the winter months.  Since most riding and competing happens in the summer months, this may seem counter-intuitive, but winter brings along health hazards of its own. I bet you know a lot of this stuff, but it bears a quick review... Colic One big source of claims is a rise in the incidence of colic, due to: a decrease in the horse's consumption of water, both by the bucket and in the reliance on dry forage instead of moist grass decreased turnout time, which reduces gut motility increase in grain to prevent weight loss for horses that carry a parasite load, the emergence of encysted strongyles  in the late winter/early spring What can you do to reduce the risks of colic? Provide as much turnout as possible, weather permitting. During extreme conditions a shelter against the elements will help the horse conserve 30% more of their body warmth than unsheltered horses. In cold, wet , windy conditions blankets should be used. The most vulnerable part of the horse is the tips of the ears. Make sure they feel warm. Make fresh water, and preferably warm water (about 60 degrees), available to your horse.  Salt blocks may not have much appeal in cold weather, but adding 4 teaspoons of salt a day will help keep salt intake up.  Consider adding a beet pulp mash to the diet--beet pulp can soak up to four times its weight in water. Make feed changes slowly.  Consider feeding more hay instead up upping the grain; hay is the fuel that "stokes the horse's body furnace," keeping the horse warm and in good weight.   Finally, provide consistent worming routine, or better yet, do a fecal test. What else can can be a problem in the winter? Skin problems are an other issue that is commonly seen in winter. As horses develop thick, inpenetrable coats, it is easy for trapped dirt, dander, and loose hair to invite dermatological infections. Lice, mites, and ringworm are all seen in the winter season. Thorough grooming, clean conditions (limit mud and manure exposure), and frequent skin checks can help reduce skin issues. Respiratory issues also occur, as horses spend more time in their stalls and barns that are "all buttoned up" for the winter. By the time ammonia buildup in stalls reaches levels that we can smell, the gas is already sufficient to damage horses' lungs. While drafts aren't necessarily good, do what you can to ensure circulation of air/air exchange, and keep stalls clean and dry. Slippery conditions can cause sprains and strains, but they can also cause broken legs.  Horses and ice do not mix, but did you know frozen ground can be equally treacherous? Keep kitty litter, fireplace ashes, or sand around to help horses get traction in frozen conditions. Alfalfa meal is especially effective as it contains nitrogen to promote melting and has a texture to provide traction. Caulks and borium can help horses get a grip on poor footing, and going barefoot offers natural traction. New snow might not be slippery, but snow can ball up in the horse's feet. Consider special anti-balling pads for the shod horse. Photo credit: hamper from morguefile.com  RESOURCES Cold Weather Safety by Emily Daly in EventingUSA Winter Horse Care in Horse Journal Winter Horse Care from Equisearch Fight respiratory, skin problems in winter from Equisearch

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