As winter storms overtake much of the United States, horse owners stock hay supplies and begin prepping for hazardous weather. Barrel Horse News, with the help of Dr. Katy Malcott of Skyline Veterinary Hospital in Belgrade, Montana, have gathered a barrel racer’s guide to winter weather to keep you and your horse safe and warm this season.
Whether you live in an area accustomed to snow or simply want to be ready for unpredictable storms, preparation is key to weathering the worst winter conditions. In areas — like Texas — that are not traditionally prepared for frigid weather you might need to take further precautions. In southern climates, water lines are typically only a few inches beneath the soil surface, and that shallow water can freeze and shatter pipes. Making sure you have enough water for yourself and your horses to last through the freezing period is on the top of the priority list.
Providing water for your horse might require some extra preparation on your end, especially if you lose power or if water lines freeze. Prior to the freezing weather or winter storm, fill extra water tanks and buckets. Store those in a barn — or even in your house if necessary. Water heaters are a great resource, but in a winter storm that results in ice or sleet, power outages are common and those heaters might become obsolete. Making sure you have a stockpile of water available for your horses — or access to running water — will be a game changer.
Adding salt or electrolytes to your horse’s grain ration is also helpful to encourage your horse to continue to drink. Keeping your horse hydrated will help fend off the risk of colic.
Forage becomes an important part of your horse’s needs as winter weather moves in. Providing shelter from the wind, a place to stay dry and plenty of forage will help your horse stay warm.
There are also small maintenance things that a horse owner might not think of if they are not accustomed to living in an area with inclement weather. It might be as simple as draining your water horses, covering any pipes that are exposed to outside air, or having a hoof pick handy to clean out snow accumulation from your horse’s feet.
We’ve compiled a list of things to do, and items to have on hand that will make your life easier this winter.
Winter Weather Checklist
- Water — continually check that your horse has access to water every few hours
- Fill extra buckets or an extra tank of water as a reserve in case of power outages or frozen water lines
- Prove your horse with shelter from the wind and a place to stay dry
- Add salt or electrolytes to grain to encourage adequate and continued water intake
- Hay — make a trip to your hay supplier in advance to ensure you have everything you need prior to the freeze
- Have numbers for veterinarians and emergency services written down ahead of time and not stored in your phone
- Drain hoses and cover pipes
- Medicines: don’t let your meds freeze, bring out of trailer and put in house
- Things to have on hand: hoof pick to clean out snow/ice from feet, blankets if your horse regularly wears them or doesn’t have access to shelter, something to break ice with such as a hatchet
- Access to hot water: boiling a pot of water or having an electric tea kettle on hand can help if barn door latches and handles, or gate latches become frozen from freezing rain
- If you lose power: have backups or batteries for things in your barn that require electricity
