Winter can be a really tricky time for horse owners. In many cases the challenge is to adapt a horse’s diet so they don’t gain weight because of the drop in activity. However, there can also be cases where it is a struggle to keep weight on some horses. Both can require a change in diet and different types of horse feed. We want to have a look specifically at the latter today.

Handling the cold

Horses can generally handle cold winters much better than humans. It usually takes really low temperatures for them to get uncomfortable. If they get chilly, they simply metabolise fat stores to increase their body temperature as necessary.

Typically you won’t have problems if your horses have been able to grow a thick coat and have suitable protection from the weather. A warm stable with clean straw is fantastic. Make sure the floor won’t be really cold.

The main issue is if it is wet and windy. This is when horses can get cold and start to feel it. If the forecast calls for a period of rain or wind, it is best to ensure horses will be inside stables to protect them. You’ll also want to make sure the temperature in the stable hasn’t dropped too much.

If it will be wet, windy, and really cold, what you may find is horses lose weight. It happens because they burn more energy to stay warm than they replenish by eating.

Diet changes

You may need to look at the horse feed here if you struggle to help horses maintain their weight in winter. It usually won’t require a really dramatic change though.

The first thing to look at is ensuring horses get enough fibre. Consuming it supports digestive health. In addition, it generates a lot of heat because of fermentation. That means it can keep horses warm from the inside, reducing the need to burn fat stores.

It is also crucial to look at the quality of the forage. What you want is high quality products that are easily digestible. Typically you should be looking at early cut forage because it will have lower levels of lignin.

If you do struggle with a horse losing weight, the best thing to do is choose a conditioning feed. They contain more energy and all kinds of useful nutrients. Small amounts can work wonders for ensuring horses will be warm in winter. There are also products that are low in starch and sugar.

Talk to us about horse feed

JS Hubbuck Ltd knows how much some owners worry about the condition of their horses in winter. We recommend taking a close look at them to see if they have trouble staying warm and losing or gaining weight. If there are problems, a change in feed can help.

Feel free to contact us if you want some advice about horse feed or details of the products we have in stock; it our pleasure to help.