By: Matthew M. Brendal
FEEDING DURING COLD WEATHER
Cold weather will require an increase in energy output of a horse. The increase in feed to meet this demand must be done carefully as to not cause colic or laminitis. One often overlooked nutrient is water. A horse may not have the urge or availability in winter as it does in the summer.
Sometimes small amounts of salt (half teaspoon per meal) can be added to the feed to encourage a natural desire to drink. If a horse is not drinking enough water it can lead to impaction colic. Snow is not a substitute for water. Snow may lower the horse’s body temperature. Using a tank heater so that water is available when desired is also a good idea.
Many horse owners often increase grain or other concentrate feeds when the weather gets cold. This can be a problem for the horse and can cause grain overload leading to laminitis. A horse has several ways of staying warm:
Pointing rear to wind
Herd huddle
Shelter
Shivering
Movement
Food fermentation
The horse gains heat from the process of digesting food (hind gut fermentation). It cannot be over emphasized that you acquire high quality hay, this is the best investment you can make for your horse. Free-choice hay is the recommended feeding method for cold weather. Grain or concentrates should be added slowly if the horse seems to be losing weight instead of maintaining weight. The body condition must be monitored daily as to meet any weight loss. A horse may require 2 to 3 weeks before he/she is adapted to the cold weather. If you live in an area of very cold weather a shelter should be provided.
The critical point to embrace is that high quality hay is the best feed for hind gut fermentation. Fermentation through hay consumption will allow a good continuous “burn”. Grains will cause a rapid increase in fermentation (burn) followed by just as rapid decrease with the potential side effects of laminitis or colic.
