Caring for horses in winter can be tough, whether you're stabling your horses or turning them out... or just want to ride! We’ve put together a few tips on how to look after your stabled horse in winter, which brings about a few challenges.
The number one challenge when stabling horses, is likely to be stiffness and or lack of circulation.
The easy way to explain how they might feel is if you think about how you feel on a flight. You might not only feel stiff after sitting for long periods of time, but your feet and legs may begin to swell too – making you feel quite uncomfortable.
The obvious solution would be to keep your stabled horse as mobile as possible. One way might be to use a Munch Block in a Munch Net. It encourages them to use their lips, neck and back in ways similar to when they are browsing in the field. Take a look on how to use it and the benefits here.
Other ideas include:
- Using treat balls
- Putting hay in different areas (read our blog on feeding at variable heights here) and at different heights
- Taking them out for frequent bouts of exercise/hand walking
- Hand-grazing several times
Sometimes it’s not always possible to keep stabled horses moving if you’re not around. In this instance, using a boot or chap can help. It will provide gentle compression to the lower leg, that can help keep it warm, this in turn will help keep the circulation moving.
Stable Chaps are perfect for this, but if your horse needs a bit more help then Magnetic Chaps might be a better option. Hind & Hock Magnetic Chaps also provide coverage higher up their hind legs.
Another common challenge when stabling horses is keeping their brain occupied.
Keeping your horse occupied and mentally stimulated in the stable will help. Again, using a Munch Block in a net will ‘activate’ their natural foraging behaviour. Our Portion Pacer Haynets also offer a slower feeding net to keep your horse eating, and therefore occupied, for longer too. Other ways of doing this include treat balls or even just hiding carrots. Hanging the munch net in a spacious area (i.e. not against a wall) will make your horse have to work harder for it too. Sprinkling SimplyIrresisitible over hay or haylage will keep your horse occupied as they forage for it. It will benefit their digestive system too with the probiotic it contains!
Other challenges also include:
Feed and water freezing.
Using a tennis ball or similar in your water can help keep the water moving and less likely to freeze. The larger the body of water, the less likely it is to freeze too, so if you use a bucket, using the biggest one you dare could have it's benefits. If you use an automatic drinker it might be a wise idea to have a bucket of water too on colder nights as another option in case the water supplying the drinker freezes. You can also help insulate your water bucket, using bedding or even a Bucket Cosi. While these are predominantly used to help stop feed freezing, using them around your water bucket could help with their insulated material.
Keeping a calm environment.
It isn't natural to keep horses in stables for long periods of time, but sometimes it's unavoidable and the best form of management we can offer. Allowing them to see other horses, playing the radio, installing a stable mirror (with safety glass) or even just letting them interact with other horses on the yard where appropriate can help satisfy those social and inquisitive behaviour needs.
In conclusion, you don't need to make expensive alterations to your stables to make a difference. Simply using a few techniques to keep them occupied, moving and socialised can help keep your horse happier in the stable throughout the colder months.