Look at your winter calendar. Decide how much riding you can fit into your schedule during the
winter months. As daylight savings falls upon us, riding the evening becomes impossible,
unless you stable your horse at a facility that has a lighted indoor arena. If it is not
possible to ride during the week, tailor your time on the weekends to a schedule that suits
your horse's reduced exercise regime.
If you trail ride, or don't mind riding in the rain, invest in a waterproof ¾ blanket or
exercise sheet. If you get caught in the rain your horse will be dry enough to wear his
blanket when you get back to the barn.
You can exercise your horse on a lead line if bad weather makes it impossible for you to
ride and the turn out paddock is too muddy. Walk along the driveway of your facility or
around the dry areas of your barn. Stretching exercises can be performed in your horse's
stall and will benefit your horse when you are next able to ride.
Make sure you have a back up blanket so that you have a spare in case one gets soaked. During
the beginning and end of winter, it is also very beneficial to have a lightweight turnout
sheet for use when some protection is needed but a really warm all-weather blanket is excessive.
Use a summer sheet or liner under your horse's stable blanket to keep the inside of your
stable blanket clean. It far easier to wash a summer sheet or liner regularly, than it is to
bundle your stable blanket off to the Laundromat.
Take your blanket off at every visit to check for rubs. A well fitting blanket should not rub
your horse's shoulders but you may want to invest in a shoulder guard as an extra insurance
against chafing. Check that mud has not worked its way inside your horse's blanket causing
soreness.
Older horses can find winter challenging. Use blankets made form modern materials which are
warm but lightweight instead of heavy stable blankets or layers of blankets.
Make sure you remove mud from your horse's coat at regular intervals otherwise your lack of
good grooming practices will result in skin problems.
Feel your horse's legs for any signs of heat or soreness. Catching problems such as mud fever
in the early stages will save you and your horse a lot of aggravation.
Use a weigh tape on your horse regularly to insure that you are aware of any changes. If you
are at all concerned about his diet discuss your concerns with your veterinarian. Call
a feed manufacture's toll free 800 # for advice.
Check the fit of your horse's blankets and tack throughout the winter, especially if your
horse has a predisposition to loose condition and is not an easy keeper during the winter
months.
Check your horse thoroughly each visit for cuts, scratches and wounds. Pick out his feet
and be on the look out for signs of thrush. Watch for any unusual discharge from his nostrils.
If your horse is coughing, has a nasal discharge, and an elevated temperature, (101+) call
your veteranarian.
Check your horses pasture fences for damage and general condition. Tree branches can fall
and break down a section of fence and temp your horse to escape and visit your neighbors.
Insure the water trough is full, clean and free of debris.
Feed plenty of bulk rations - this also keeps him occupied though long stabled hours. An
old tetherball or one of the newer horse toys can be hung in your horse's stall to keep
him occupied and out of trouble during the dreary dull days of winter.
Make sure your horse has plenty of turn out time. This will allow your horse to buck, run,
play and let off some stockplied steam!
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