Surviving Extreme Winter Weather

Currently, most of North American is experiencing record setting cold temperatures. Unfortunately, owning horses and other livestock means that there is no opportunity to sit inside a warm house, sipping hot chocolate next to a roaring fireplace. Animals must be tended to, including haying and feeding, keeping water at a temperature which will encourage horses to drink and blanketing.

Blizzards are best handled by being prepared come late summer or early fall. Horses should have adequate shelter and roofs should be built to be slanted to avoid snow accumulation, which can collapse if it accumulates too much snow.

Hopefully, those in northern states finished preparations for winter in the early fall, by stocking up on hay and feed. Northern farms have the advantage of being able to store large quantities of hay to last throughout the winter, whereas those in the humid south are not afforded that luxury, due to the risk of mold…unless you have a large air-conditioned hay room!

By having extra hay and feed on hand, there should be no worries about horses having to go without a meal, in the event that roads are not passable due to snow or downed power lines. Keep in mind that it is important that they consume more calories when temperatures are freezing, and while there are often debates about blanketing, it is usually a good idea to blanket when the weather is extreme for your area. By extreme, that can mean a 40 degree drop in the temperature in Florida, from a high of 80, down into the 40’s or even 30’s in a 24-hour period, or anytime the temperatures drop below zero. Extra care should be given to elderly horses, as well as horses which are sick, horses that are clipped, donkeys, and foals. You know your horse best and should know when to blanket. Asking whether or not you should blanket on social media will lead to multile answers! Only you know what is best for your horse! Some horses need sheets as soon as the temps dip into the 50’s, while others do not need to wear anything until the temps are in the 20’s. Bear in mind that just because you are cold, that doesn’t mean your horse needs to wear multiple layers! Be sure you know how to blanket properly, with leg straps connecting on the correct side!

Fresh and cool water should be available at all times. Horses do not like to drink frigid water, and if there is ice on the bucket, they will not drink. Horses that cannot drink are at risk of colic. Adding warm water to their grain will help keep them hydrated, as well as warming them up internally. Additionally, adding some salt to their grain will also encourage drinking.

Heat lamps should never be used in a barn! Your best option for keeping horses warm is to provide extra hay and to blanket them. The risk of a barn fire is much too great by using a heat lamp! Horses should have some type of shelter to protect them from the elements. Plywood and tarps can aid in preventing drafts. Conversely, closing up the barn entirely can mean a lack of air circulation. Fresh air is vital to good health. Again, it is best to help your horses stay warm by increasing their hay intake and blanketing.

Record amount of snow mean the possibility of flooding as the snow melts. There are many precautions a barn owner can take to deal with flooding, as well as hazards to be concerned about in the event of a flood. These include:

• Identify if your property is in a flood zone. If you live near a major lake or river or along the coast, the chances are good that you are going to experience flooding at some point.

• If building new, locate your barn at the highest point of the property or if that is not possible, elevate the barn by at least one foot.

• If grazing in a floodplain, be sure to keep horses safe and away from that area until danger of flooding has passed.

• Identify where to move livestock to in event of a flood. Where is the highest point of the property?

• Move hay, grain, medications, and equipment to higher and drier ground.

• Test sump pumps.

• Turn off power when flood is imminent.

• Horses should never be stalled or tied when flooding is possible.

• Clean out culverts to prevent washouts.

• In case of flash flooding, there may be no time to do anything, except to remove horses from stalls.

• Open gates so animals can move freely.

• Horses stuck in flood waters are at risk from drowning, injuries from fencing, equipment and other debris hidden by rising water and risk of becoming stuck in mud.

• The stress from standing in water and the inability to eat properly can cause colic and laminitis. Other health issues include rain scald, mud fever, pneumonia, open wounds, waterborne illnesses such as leptospirosis, cellulitis and skin infections, which can cause the skin to slough off.

As a barn owner/manager, it is your responsibility to identify which weather disaster you may be subjected to and have a Disaster Plan. This includes handling blizzards and extreme cold. Determine if your county Emergency Plan includes animals, and specifically, livestock. Your boarders should be made aware of your plans, by way of safety meetings and in their contract, so that they may be able to know how to prepare their own horse in accordance with your plan and also so that they can partake in emergency drills. Having a plan in effect will help you be able to deal with the challenges each disaster brings, in a calm and organized manner. A disaster plan is just as important as having a fire plan!

Related blog: Winter Farm and Pasture Maintenance Chores

Please be sure to visit our website at www.commonsensehorsekeeping.com

Stay warm and don’t forget to hug your horse!