first published in the January 2025 Equiery

The weather outside this winter can certainly be frightful, but never fear… we have you covered with a slew of winter weather tips for you, your horses, and your farm! The tips on this page have been compiled from Equiery reader submissions, Equiery staffers, Maryland Horse Council members, the University of Maryland Equine Studies Program, and the American Association for Equine Practitioners. If you have a tip or winter weather hack you’d like to share, email editor@equiery.com today!

Tips for Your Farm
from UMD Equine Studies Program

These tips will improve the safety, comfort, and care for both your horses and the farm as a whole during winter. Proper planning can help avoid winter-related stress and challenges.

  1. Ensure Farm Access: Winter weather can make moving around a farm much more challenging, especially when snow and ice are involved. Think about all the places that you need access to in order to maintain daily functions on your property. Clearing driveways and parking areas typically comes to mind, but remember that pathways to paddocks or turn out lots, as well as feed and hay storage areas, all should be cleared so you can perform essential tasks. Consider all the people who may need access to your farm (farm workers, delivery drivers, boarders/clients, vet, farrier) and make sure they are able to safely get to the spaces required. if heavy snow is forecast, leave as many gates as possible open, so snow clearing equipment can more easily clear gateways.
  2. Prepare the Trailer: Don’t forget the trailer! Even if you do not typically show or haul horses in cold weather months, you never know when an emergency situation may arise where you will need to be able to load a horse and get your trailer out on the road. Make sure you have clear access to your trailer and clean off any snow accumulated on top. Check tires and lights regularly.
  3. Maintain Hay, Grain & Bedding Supply: Plan to store some additional hay, grain, and bedding just in case you cannot get out of the farm or a delivery cannot come to you in bad weather. You certainly don’t want to run short of these essentials! Most horses should consume 2% of their body weight in feed each day, with the majority of that being forage or hay. Check out this UMD Extension publication to learn more. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/calculating-your-horses-winter-hay-needs
  4. Winterize Water: We know horses need access to fresh water at all times, and that can get tricky in cold temperatures. Whether you use tubs or automatic waterers, check them often to be sure they stay free of ice. Drain hoses after each use so ice does not accumulate. If you use heaters in your waterers, make sure that they are functioning properly. Check automatic water heaters and electrical connections. For water tanks or tubs, select heaters that your horses cannot play with or move around, and disconnect them before cleaning tubs. Remember, if you are drawing from a well, you need to have a plan in place to get water to your animals in case of a power outage. In addition hoses should be disconnected from hydrants in freezing weather to prevent the hydrant itself from freezing.
  5. Verify Electrical Integrity: We use electricity differently in winter than we do in summer, but this is a good time to make sure all of your electrical items are functioning properly and safely. You may use lights more for riding and chores as it gets darker sooner, and you might be using heaters for water. Check your outlets. Make sure any extension cords have the appropriate weight rating for their use. Do not daisy chain electrical cords, select the proper lengths needed. Dust all cobwebs off any light fixtures. Consider investing in a generator to maintain well water access and for essential barn tasks during a power outage.
  6. Clean Roofs and Gutters: If you have not already, check your barn and shed roofs for any needed repairs and clean out all gutters. Roofs should be designed for the snow load expected in your area. Snow and ice can cause water backup and damage to gutters that are already clogged with leaves or debris. Make sure all gutters are draining away from the buildings and walkways to prevent icy areas.
  7. Minimize Wet Areas: Any place that accumulates water in warmer weather could be icy in cold temperatures. Consider ways to manage mud and standing water before temperatures drop. Heavy use pads for high traffic areas in paddocks (rubber mats and even mulch layers) can help keep footing from becoming too slippery and harsh for both horses and humans!
  8. Provide Adequate Ventilation: While we may feel comfortable in a cozy, tightly closed up barn, those buildings still need ventilation to remove moisture and prevent condensation. Ventilation methods depend on the type of structure. Those with open sides or vent and eave openings use natural ventilation and can provide a draft free, comfortable environment. Heavily insulated buildings will require mechanical ventilation in the form of fans and air exchange systems to ensure adequate air movement for horse health.
  9. Inspect Fences & Gates: When the weather is good, walk your fence lines and check for any loose boards or electric fencing connectors. Changing temperatures can make already compromised fencing hardware fail and need replacing. Check temporary posts that may shift with freeze and thawing of ground and install gate latches that can be easily used in icy weather.
  10. Control Pests: Cold weather brings some relief from flies, but rodents are even more likely to seek shelter and food in barn areas. Store feed in rodent proof containers and sweep up spilled feed daily. Secure blankets, saddle pads, and other tack in rodent proof storage as well to prevent nesting and damage.

Tips for Your Horse

  1. Adjust feed and forage if needed to keep horses at their ideal weight. It is recommended to increase forage during the winter months due to the lack of nutrients in pasture grass. Too much additional grain could lead to “hot headed” horses and/or digestive issues.
  2. Blankets may or may not be needed depending on the overall health and condition of your horse. The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends blanketing decisions be based on each horse’s unique needs, determined by age, health, body condition, shelter access, and activity load. If you do start blanketing, it should be continued throughout the season. It’s always a good idea to have a spare of each blanket weight ready to go in case you need to have one cleaned, repaired, or changed out due to getting wet. Remember that horses who are not ridden during winter should still have blankets removed weekly for grooming and to check for weight changes, blanket rubs, skin issues, etc.
  3. Wet blankets should be removed and replaced immediately, and wet or sweaty horses should be dry before putting blankets back on.
  4. If using a blanket, be sure to choose the blanket weight based on the anticipated highest temperature of the day. Sweating under a blanket can cause chills when the temperature drops again.
  5. There is an increased risk of colic during the winter months due to many factors including fluctuating temperatures, reduced movement, and frozen water sources. The more a horse stays hydrated and moving, the less likely the horse is to colic, so consider keeping your horses outside on pastures with access to fresh water as often as possible.
  6. Consider adding warm water to your horse’s feed on very cold days/nights, however, a bran mash should only be given if your horse is used to having bran as part of its regular diet.
  7. Horses need longer to cool down when exercised during cold weather. Walk for at least 10 to 15 minutes at the end of a ride to allow the heat built up in the horse’s muscles to dissipate.
  8. When finishing a ride, be sure to cover the damp area on your horse’s back where the saddle was with a fleece cooler or towel as soon as the saddle is removed. This will protect your horse from getting chilled while they cool down. Toweling sweaty areas may help speed up this process.
  9. Fleece or wool quarter sheets are a great way to keep you and your horse warm during rides and cooling down after a ride.
  10. As always, be sure your horse always has access to shelter from the varied weather conditions.

Tips for You

  1. Dress in layers and be sure your base layer is a moisture wicking material. Layers also make it easier to remove as needed while riding or doing barn work. If you get sweaty while riding or working but are unable to change into dry clothing and need to stay in the cold, place a folded up dry towel against your skin at the small of your back, and leave it there to wick away the sweat and help you warm up.
  2. Warm socks are a winter must for riders, but be sure you keep enough wiggle room in your boots so your toes don’t get too cold from lack of movement. The thickness of boot soles is also a key element in keeping your feet warm. Consider keeping a pair of thick soled boots in your car or tack room to change into after riding.
  3. Don’t forget to take care of your skin too! Dry skin does not function as well in the cold, so use moisturizers and lotions.
  4. Quarter sheets can keep riders warm too when pulled up over the rider’s legs and waist.
  5. Hand warmers and feet warmers that fit easily in gloves and boots are a quick and easy addition to winter barn gear.
  6. Battery heated vests come highly recommended by several Equiery readers!
  7. Bulky gloves are hard to wear when doing barn work and riding. Consider thin silk or fleece glove liners to wear under your normal barn/riding gloves for added warmth. Latex-type surgical gloves also make great glove liners. They are cheap and often available in barns.
  8. Breeches made specifically for riding in the winter are a must to reduce the need for too many bulky layers when riding. Consider wearing stockings or tights under your breeches. They are not bulky and they help trap heat closer to the body. In addition, pantyhose can keep your feet warm too!
  9. With shorter daylight hours and deer hunting across the state, wear reflective gear and/or blaze orange when riding on or adjacent to public roads or in public parks.
  10. Don’t forget to hydrate too! People need fresh water during the winter just as much as our horses do.