| you care for your horse, it is important to make | | | | energy when it becomes stressed. During the |
| preparations for the winter months. Horses need | | | | winter you will want to give your horse some |
| to be able to tolerate the cold weather and stay | | | | extra calories. |
| as healthy as possible. During the winter horses | | | | The best protection for a horse during the winter |
| will have special needs which you as the owner | | | | is its natural winter coat. When it is allowed to |
| will have to address. It is important to prepare for | | | | grow, it will act as a natural heat blanket which will |
| winter in advance. | | | | reduce the loss of heat that the horse |
| Horses are naturally tolerant to cold weather. In | | | | experiences in cold environments. The coat is also |
| fact, horses handle cold weather much better | | | | slick and will brush off snow and ice. If you keep |
| than hot weather. Despite this, there are some | | | | your horses outside, you will want to make sure |
| basic things owners will want to do to make sure | | | | their coats grow long before winter. |
| their horses stay healthy. You will want to make | | | | To check the condition of your horse, you will |
| sure the horse doesn't have any parasites, and | | | | want to rub its ribs. A large winter coat can easily |
| has been immunized. The costs for doing these | | | | hide the fact the horse may be losing weight. |
| things will greatly pay off during the winter. The | | | | Your horse should weigh enough that you are not |
| costs of feeding the horse will be lower. | | | | able to see the ribs but can feel them when |
| You may also want to work with your vet in | | | | touching the horse. Your also want to feel the |
| setting up a health plan for your horse. Preparing | | | | ears of the horse. Do they feel cold? If so, this is |
| your horse for cold weather will help it lower the | | | | a sign that the horse is cold. |
| need to eat large amounts of food in order to | | | | Like all animals which are warm-blooded, horses |
| maintain its weight. Your horse should never lose | | | | must maintain their body temperature in order to |
| weight during the winter. Allowing your horse to | | | | survive. It is important that they conserve heat |
| gain a small amount of weight will help them | | | | during the winter, and as the owner you must |
| during the winter months, as the extra fat will | | | | make preparations to make sure they're healthy. |
| work as a cushion to provide the horse with | | | | |