Caring for your horse in winter
Not only humans are affected by the cold temperatures, horses are too. So, the question is how to make the winter time for our four-legged friends as comfortable as possible.
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Provide more water for your horse as they need it. Dehydration can cause real problems, for example, they may get more prone to impaction colic. Additionally, while drinking not enough, horses also eat less, which leads to getting less energy to overcome winter temperatures. Also, do not forget to check often whether the bucket with water does not freeze.
To maintain the body warmth a horse needs additional energy, so it is crucial that it has access to good quality forage (grass, hay or haylage) throughout the colder months. Be prepared by ordering your hay supply ahead of time and always have plenty.
Horses should have access to shelter from wind, sleet and storms while being out for grass. Note that horses get colder when inside because they can’t move around as much as outside, so make sure that your horse gets a rug and the bedding is kept clean and dry.
Moreover, your horse should not stop exercising during the winter months, because limited exercising may lead to lower leg swelling (stocking up). Therefore, go for a ride as often as possible while being cautious when riding in deep, heavy or wet snow to prevent tendon injuries as well as avoiding icy areas for the safety of both.
Horse hooves should be trimmed every 6 to 12 weeks, even though they generally grow slower in the winter months. To prevent slipping and falling and make it easier for them to walk, you should get rid of ice and snowballs, especially after a heavy snow. You should also take care that no wounds appeared after walking in the snow. If some small wounds appear, rinse them with the Sanocyn forte Solution. The Solution removes unwanted bacteria, fungi and viruses, and, thus, create the best conditions for wound healing. After that, you can apply the Sanocyn forte Hydrogel, which keeps the wound moist and forms a protective film.
To sum up, you should be prepared for cold temperatures and take care of your horse in the special way during the winter months.
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