This donkey named Kate with @black_burro_events is well prepared for the freezing temperatures with a thick coat and a warm blanket, but not every equine is as equipped to deal with the cold! Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your horses healthy and warm during the temperature drop.
✅ Keep forage available for your horses – metabolizing calories will help regulate your horse’s internal temperature! Having hay available for them is one of the most important ways to keep your horses warm, even without shelter or blankets.
✅ Add electrolyte powder or salt as well as water to food to encourage horses to keep drinking. Their water intake can slow down during cold snaps and cause dehydration, so keep plenty available. Make sure your water sources aren’t frozen!
✅ Shelter from the rain is great, but sometimes, even offering a simple windbreak can make a huge difference in the comfort of your horse.
✅ If your horse is shivering and has a poor/sparse hair coat, they may need a properly fitted blanket! Blanketing wet horses, however, can trap cold air and water underneath the blanket. Check blanketed horses regularly to make sure your horse is dry underneath and the straps are secure. Shivering burns lots of calories!
We hope these helpful tips from Kate will keep your equine friends happy and warm this week! Remember that Tennessee Equine is open 24/7 for your emergency needs. For assistance, give us a call! 📞
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