As winter settles in with its crisp air and snowy landscapes, ensuring the safety and comfort of your animals becomes a top priority. Horses and dogs, while naturally resilient, require extra care to thrive during the colder months.
Here are some essential tips to keep your four-legged friends healthy and happy this winter!
For Horses
Provide Adequate Shelter: Horses are hardy animals, but they still need protection from wind, snow, and freezing rain. Ensure access to a sturdy shelter, such as a barn or a run-in shed, which allows them to escape harsh weather while maintaining good ventilation. A three-sided run-in shed can work well. Keep stalls dry and clean to prevent chilling from wet bedding. Use materials like straw or shavings to provide warmth and insulation.
Monitor Body Condition: Check your horse’s weight frequently. A thick winter coat can hide weight loss. Use a weight tape or feel their ribs under the coat to ensure they are maintaining a healthy condition.
Adjust Their Diet: Horses burn more calories to stay warm in winter, so increase their forage intake, as digestion generates heat. Provide high-quality hay and consider supplementing with grain if recommended by your vet. Always ensure access to fresh, unfrozen water. Offer a salt block or loose salt to encourage water consumption and support electrolyte balance.
Prevent Frozen Water: Horses always need access to unfrozen water. Use heated water buckets or stock tank deicers to prevent freezing. Dehydration can lead to colic, so encourage regular water intake.
Check Their Hooves: Snow, ice, and mud can compact in a horse’s hooves, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of slipping. Regular trims are still necessary, even if your horse is not working as much. Pick hooves daily to remove ice, snow, and debris. Consider non-slip shoes or traction devices if ice is a concern.
Safe Exercise: Clear paths to prevent slipping and avoid icy areas during rides. Allow extra time for warming up and cooling down to prevent muscle stiffness in wintry weather.
Monitor Their Coat: Horses grow thick winter coats for insulation. Avoid overgrooming, as it can reduce their natural protection. If you clip your horse, provide an appropriate blanket. Not all horses need blankets, but older horses, those with health conditions, or clipped horses might benefit from one. Ensure the blanket fits well and is waterproof. Check under blankets daily for signs of sweat or irritation.
Watch for Signs of Hypothermia or Illness: Shivering, lethargy, or loss of appetite could indicate your horse is too cold or unwell. Consult your vet immediately if you notice these signs. Keep up to date with vaccinations and deworming to support overall health during winter.
For Dogs
Limit Outdoor Time: While some breeds love the snow, extended exposure to cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme cold, especially for small, thin-coated, or elderly dogs. Monitor for signs of hypothermia or frostbite, such as shivering or pale extremities. Adjust outdoor playtime based on your dog’s breed, size, and coat thickness.
Dress for the Weather: Smaller or short-haired breeds benefit from coats or sweaters in freezing temperatures. Make sure the clothing fits well and does not restrict movement.
Protect Their Paws: Salt, ice, and chemicals on sidewalks can irritate paw pads. Use pet-safe deicers, clean your dog’s paws after walks, and consider using booties for extra protection.
Watch for Signs of Cold Stress: Shivering, lethargy, weakness, or whining may indicate your dog is too cold. Discolored, swollen, or painful extremities (ears, tail, paws) require immediate veterinary attention.
Provide Warm Sleeping Arrangements: Ensure your dog has a warm, draft-free place to sleep. Avoid letting them sleep directly on cold floors and provide extra blankets if needed.
Adjust Their Diet and Hydration: Winter weather can affect a dog’s appetite and hydration needs. Dogs can become dehydrated in winter just as easily as in summer. Ensure they have access to fresh, unfrozen water. Monitor their food intake to maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid Toxic Chemicals: Antifreeze is highly toxic to dogs but has a sweet taste they may find appealing. Clean up spills immediately and store them out of reach. Deicing products can irritate your dog’s skin or be harmful if ingested. Always rinse their paws after walks.
Adapt Playtime: Many dogs love playing in the snow! Supervise playtime to ensure they do not overexert themselves or eat too much snow, which could upset their stomach. When it is too cold outside, keep them mentally and physically stimulated indoors with toys, puzzles, and training exercises.
Be Visible: Shorter days mean more walks in low light. Use reflective gear or LED collars to keep your dog visible to cars and other pedestrians.
General Winter Safety Tips
Emergency Preparedness: Keep a stock of feed, water, and any necessary medications in case of severe weather or power outages. Make sure all their tags and IDs are up to date.
Check for Frostbite: Inspect ears, tails, and paws for signs of frostbite, such as discoloration or swelling.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups: Ensure your animals are healthy going into winter and update vaccinations as needed.
Stay Active: Provide opportunities for safe, regular exercise to prevent boredom and maintain physical health.
Check Weather Forecasts: Plan outdoor activities during milder weather and avoid extreme cold or storms.
By taking these precautions, you will help ensure your horses and dogs enjoy a safe and cozy winter season. Your attention to their needs will keep them healthy, happy, and ready to greet the spring with wagging tails and strong strides.
Kamie Roth
Author