Fitting a Winter Blanket

A good-fitting blanket will stay on your horse and not rub. You won’t have to worry about it slipping sideways or leaving bald patches on their chest. To begin, you’ll need a soft tape. You’ll be able to wrap this measuring device around your horse easily. If you don’t have a soft tape, then you can tie two pieces of baling twine together. Cut the access off after measuring your horse and use a hard tape to measure the twine.

Measure your horse from the middle of their chest to the middle of their tail.

NRS World – National Roper’s Supply provides a great ‘how to’ on the topic. Follow along as Brian McNamee measures his gelding.

Toward the end of the video, Brain talks about fill and denier. These consists of how much “stuffing” the blanket has and how warm it’ll be and the toughness of the outer shell. Follow the below chart to figure out how much fill your horse needs.

Finding the perfect blanket doesn’t have to be hard. Help your horse to be comfortable this winter!

Winter Horse Prep

Evaluate your horse’s condition: What is your horse’s body condition score? If they’re too thin, then you might want to adjust their feed intake. A skinny horse will struggle to stay warm when temperatures drop.

Get their blankets in order: Not all horses will need blankets, but for those that do you’ll want to double check fit. You may also need to re-waterproof some of them.

Pull out your heated buckets: Horses prefer to drink warm water between 45° to 65° F. Frozen buckets can be a nightmare to deal with, so make sure you have a way to keep the water warm.

Your horse needs shelter: On those cold, wet days, your horse will need a run-in shelter, stall, or trees to escape to.

Double check lighting: It gets dark early in the winter. You’ll want to have interior barn lights, outside lights, and/or headlamps.

Be ready for snow and ice: Do you have a way to remove ice from walkways? What about heavy snowfalls? It’s important you have a plan in place for how you’ll tackle these situations.

Exercise is good: Your horse can still benefit from being ridden. You’ll want to have a longer warm up and cool down. You should also be cautious of slippery footing.

What are your favorite winter weather tips?

Signs Your Horse Is Cold

• They’re shivering. Most commonly they’ll shiver in the hind limbs, but you can also observe their forelimbs shaking.
• Your horse’s body temperature drops. Hypothermia starts when their temperature reads 98-99 degrees.
• They’re acting unusual. Some will run around like crazy, while others will huddle close to other horses.
• If their skin is wet, they’re much more likely to be cold.
• Hard keepers with thin winter coats usually struggle to stay warm, so keep a close on eye them.
• Feel your horse’s shoulders and chest. If they’re cold to the touch, then they may be struggling to stay warm.
• Horses will lose weight when they remain cold for long periods.

If you notice any of these indictors, then it’s time to take immediate action. Depending on how cold they are, provide them with shelter and extra hay. Some horses will need to be covered with a medium- or heavy-weight blanket. In extreme cases, contact your veterinarian.

Make sure to take proper steps to ensure your horse is ready for winter!

Hoof Care Myths

#1 You should automatically pull your horse’s shoes in the winter.

Your horse likely wears shoes for a reason. Before you get them pulled, talk to your farrier about the consequences of having them removed. The frozen ground can be hard on their feet and cause bruising. Some horses wear shoes to help with poor conformation. There are plenty of other reasons not to remove them.

You should, however, consider snow pads or studs. Snow pads will prevent the hooves from packing with snow, while studs add traction to the shoe.

Your horse may be a good candidate to go barefoot, especially if they aren’t in heavy work. Your farrier should help you through this decision though!

#2 Mud causes thrush.

Not exactly… mud doesn’t cause thrush, rather a combination of urine, manure, and wet conditions does. If their field or stall is dirty and they’re constantly stepping in it, then they may develop this fungal infection. Their risk can be greatly reduced by scooping manure up daily!

#3 Your horse can go months without a trim in the winter.

It is true that horses’ hooves tend to grow slower in the winter, but please don’t assume they can go months without a trim. Hoof growth is also influenced by their health, environment, and amount of exercise. Your horse’s circumstances may be different than the next. Create a schedule with your farrier. They may only need a trim every 8 to 12 weeks, rather than the 6 to 8 weeks in the summer or spring.

Most myths are created by lumping all horses into one category. Remember, what works for one may not be effective for another. When it comes to your horse’s hooves, your farrier is your best friend!

Winter Ready Checklist

• Rate your horse’s body condition. You’ll want to monitor it throughout winter to ensure they aren’t losing too much weight.
• Adjust your horse’s food intake. Some may need less concentrates, especially if they aren’t in work, while others may need extra calories to stay warm.
• Your horse will need shelter from bad weather. It can be a stall, run-in shed, or group of trees.
• Check the fit of blankets. If you plan on using them, make sure to have at least two. When the one gets soaked, you’ll want to change it out.
• In extreme cold, have extra hay on hand!
• Ensure your horse is drinking enough water. Too little and they’re at risk for impaction colic.
• Salt blocks should be added to their stall or field.
• Your horse should still receive plenty of turnout and exercise. It may require extra caution, but constant confinement can cause stocking up in their legs.
• Have a plan in place to avoid icy paths. Sand and salt can add traction!
• Though your horse’s hooves will grow slower, they still need regular farrier care every 6 to 12 weeks.
• Add snow pads to shod horses or remove their shoes.
• Some like to put vaseline on the bottom of their horse’s hooves to prevent snowballs.

Always be ready for the unexpected! Winter doesn’t have to be miserable. It does have its beautiful moments. If you’re properly prepared, it can be an enjoyable season.

How to Stay Warm

Every cowgirl needs a pair of insulated bibs! They can go right over your base layers to keep you warm and dry.

A durable jacket is another must have! Carhartt is known for their amazing products.

Crafted from breathable and moisture-wicking fabric, these base layer are perfect for wintertime.

One of the first parts to get cold is your feet! These thermal socks won’t let that happen.

Who doesn’t love their Muck boots?! They’re waterproof and will keep your feet warm.

You have to protect your hands! These are made for the coldest of conditions.

These essentials will hopefully do the job of keeping you warm. There are a few other things like a hat and hand/toe warmers that will help even more. The chores have to get done no matter what, so make sure you’re prepared for the low temperatures.

Tucked in the Colorado Rockies, this ranch has over 180 horses. Each has special cleated shoes for extra traction. Vacationers will be assigned a horse and go on up to two trail rides a day. They range from an hour to hour and half. During your ride, you’ll enjoy scenic views and wildlife. Look out for a bright red fox and bald eagle soaring the skies!

If you prefer an indoor ride, the ranch offers horsemanship clinics in their 12,000-square-foot indoor riding arena. There’s plenty of cones and poles to play with.

After a day of riding, you can get cozy in their luxury resort! From the gourmet food to the roaring fireplace, there’s so much to enjoy. Settle down for the night in their family-style cabins or secluded couples’ retreats.

Your entire family can have a blast with complimentary snow tubing, cross-country skiing and shoeing, archery and more!

Who’s ready for a fun adventure! For other exciting horseback trips, check out “Best Vacation Destinations For Horse Lovers”.

Snowy Weather Horse Tips

• Your horse should have access to some sort of shelter. If that’s not possible, consider blanketing them.
• Their paddock should be cleared of deep snow. Depending on the depth, you may need to use a skid steer to move snow out of common areas.
• Ice is also a concern during wintery weather. Spread sand, salt, or even manure to increase traction in areas your horse will be.
• Feed extra hay when temperatures dip low.
• Use a heated bucket or provide warm water at all times. The ideal temperature is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Check for snowballs in their hooves. You should invest in snow pads or remove your horse’s shoes, especially if you live in a snowy area.
• If you plan to ride with snow on the ground, take things slowly. Don’t ride in areas where you don’t know what’s underneath the snow. You’ll also want to spend extra time warming up and cooling your horse down.

Luckily, most horses are hardier than we give them credit for. They do just fine outside in the weather. As their caretaker, you’ll want to set them up for success though.

Kellie White Rettinger from Whispery Pines Percherons is all too familiar with this fairy tale. She is the proud owner of eight Percheron geldings. In the winter, you’ll find her harnessing her team up for a sleigh ride adventure!

Deep in the woods of Burton, Ohio, you’ll stumble upon Ma and Pa’s. This cozy cabin will take you back to the 1820s with its rustic shopping and tasty treats. You can escape the cold with the roaring fireplaces!

However, the best part of all is the horse-drawn sleigh rides! Pick from three different sleighs- a red, black or green one and go on the adventure of a lifetime.

Kellie shares, “Night rides have always been my favorite- gliding through the woods with lanterns lit on the trees. We head out to the big open field and we turn it up a notch! A starry sky with sounds of jingle bells…” How magical, indeed!

It appears many couples seize the opportunity to affirm their love to each other. Kellie has witnessed quite a few engagements and proposals over the years. It must be the romantic atmosphere!

Her beautiful black Percherons are the real star of the show though! There’s nothing quite like real horse power. These magnificent animals are sure to impress you with their strength, beauty, and friendly demeanor.

Don’t let this winter pass you by without going on a sleigh ride!