Wintertime brings images of snow covered villages and bundled up children shrieking with joy on their first sled ride down the local hills. For horse owners, it can also bring visions of trudging water buckets from the house to the barn, wielding hammers to break ice on frozen troughs and attempts to make a safe way over the icy ruts in a frozen paddock.

Horses love this kind of weather! By December, the once silken coats of horses have turned into wooly, thick, blankets. The under layer of fur that has been growing since the cool nights of August pay tribute to wintertime as snow covers the backs of the horses unmelted while they lazily eat their hay. Their insulative winter coats keep them toasty warm. There's nothing better to a horse than a fresh snowfall. It means they can run and buck and make the most wonderous "snow horse angels" while rolling over and over again on their backs, hooves flailing in the air. Their nostrils enveloped in a cloud of warm steam; their bodies are warm and their spirits are high.

Keeping horses in the wintertime can be inviting, comforting and calming for any die-hard horseperson. Simply going out to the barn in the morning to feed and smelling the warm breath of a horse brings about a sense of well-being. The sound of the horse chewing their fresh-scented hay delights the ears. Tucking cold fingers up under the warm, furry manes feels comforting and all is right in the world. That is, until the time comes to slip and slide out to the paddock to dump gallons of hot water into the frozen, ice filled water tubs.

Horses, requiring 8 - 15 gallons of water a day, need fresh water at all times. They don't like cold, cold water but 100 feet of digestion system requires water to keep the food and nutrients flowing freely through their bodies. There are alternatives to having to haul hot water out to the barn by bucketfuls. There are many trough and bucket heaters on the market. What is best for you and your horses can only be determined personally.

Horses thrive in the colder weather. Stalled horses and horses that are clipped for year-round showing must have diligent care by the owner. If the horse is clipped, their underlying insulative coat is non-existent. They must have some sort of protective outer covering such as a blanket. It is important to note, however, that once one begins to blanket a horse for the wintertime, the blanketing must continue throughout the season. The blanket will prevent the horse’s natural coat to grow and the horse will need the continuing protection from the elements.

While visions of sugarplums dance through childrens’ heads, the horse owner must take painstaking care to see that adequate feed is offered the horse. An extra 8 - 12# of hay should be given to the horse in an additional feeding to allow the body to adjust to its wintering process. If the horse is receiving grain as well, a slight increase in the volume of grain offered daily helps to ensure the horse maintains his calorie count. It is difficult to feel the horse’s ribs under a thick, wooly fur coat but knowing the “feel” is important to assessing the weight stability during the winter months. A good covering of flesh over the ribs indicates the weight is satisfactory.

Now, just because all the flies and other nasty little biting critters are sleeping through the winter doesn’t mean that the internal parasites that are left behind in the horse’s gut are not still thriving. It is mandatory to maintain a regular de-worming schedule. Every 8 weeks is suggested for paste de-worming. The chemical used will depend on your rotational schedule that you have established with your veterinarian. Keeping a calendar in the barn and noting when and with what you last de-wormed is a good way to keep track of your schedule.

The old saying, “no hoof, no horse”, is an extremely simple statement. It is crucial to maintain well-balanced and trimmed hooves all year long. If you’re one of those die-hard equestrians who love nothing better than to bundle up and go for a moon-lit ride in the new fallen snow, you’ll want to be sure that your horse has sound footing to carry you over the land. Snow shoes are regular shoes put on the horse with borium studs for traction. These are highly recommended for winter riding. However, even barefoot horses need attention during the winter months.

Well, the wind is howling outside; the sleet is pelting the tin roof and the weather is just absolutely frightful. Forget the bundled up children shouting with glee; they’re all in their homes in front of the fire drinking hot chocolate. Now, where are your horses? Are they bundled up in an airtight barn with all the windows and doors shut to keep the nasty weather out? I hope not … that’s one of the worst things any horseowner can do to their horses! Horses need fresh, clean air to breath. On the other hand, drafts increase the horse’s need to use its natural physiological reserves to stay warm. As the horse is burning up calories to stay warm, the immune system of the horse is being heavily taxed. Horses are perfectly able to remain outdoors 24 hours a day if they have adequate shelter, water and plenty of hay.