Winter is a time of heightened vigilance for every horse owner and carer. Low temperatures, damp, wind and shorter days pose a real challenge that can affect the health, condition and wellbeing of the horses in our care. Contrary to popular belief, the key to getting through winter is not a thick rug, but an appropriate feeding strategy. The secret lies in staying warm... from within.
Fibre - Your Horse's Internal Heater - The Key to Staying Warm
Nature has equipped horses with a brilliant heating mechanism. When the temperature falls below a horse's thermal comfort zone (which may be as low as +5°C), the body must produce additional heat to maintain a constant body temperature. The main source of this heat is the microbial fermentation of fibre (hay, haylage and grasses) in the large intestine.
This process involves microorganisms breaking down forage. A by-product is a steady release of heat, acting like an internal, slow-burning stove. The fundamental principle of winter horse feeding is therefore to provide unrestricted access to forage (ad libitum). If your horse has enough hay, it can regulate its own internal temperature by increasing its intake.
Remember that adding more hard feed (cereals and high-energy starch-based pellets) will not replace fibre when it comes to generating heat. Excess starch can lead to digestive problems and overexcitability without contributing efficiently to warmth. In winter, it is all about hay, hay and more hay!
What Affects Your Horse's Thermal Comfort?
A horse's thermal comfort is highly individual and is not a fixed value! It depends on many factors that you need to consider when managing a herd:
Factor |
Effect on LCT |
Description |
|---|---|---|
Coat and Clipping |
Major |
A horse with a full winter coat has a much lower thermal comfort threshold (tolerates cold better) than a clipped horse. |
Acclimatisation |
High |
Horses gradually accustomed to the cold cope better than those suddenly exposed to winter conditions. |
Age |
Moderate |
Senior horses and very young foals have a higher thermal comfort threshold, meaning they start using energy to keep warm sooner. |
Body Condition (Weight) |
Moderate |
Thin horses have less body fat to act as natural insulation, increasing their susceptibility to low temperatures. |
Weather Conditions |
Critical |
Damp and wind significantly increase heat loss, even when the air temperature is mild. |
Breed |
Moderate |
Hardy breeds, such as ponies and some native breeds, naturally tolerate low temperatures better than more finely built breeds (e.g. Arabians). |
Extreme Differences
Clipped Horse: the thermal comfort threshold can be as high as +15.5°C. This means the horse already needs support at a moderate temperature.
Horse with a Full Coat and Acclimatisation: can tolerate temperatures down to -15.5°C without using significantly more additional energy.
Average for Most Horses: around +5°C.
A Strategy to Support Your Horse in Low Temperatures (Optimising Nutrition)
When the temperature drops below your horse's individual thermal comfort threshold, it is crucial to adjust management and feeding immediately to compensate for increased energy requirements:
1. Feeding: Fibre Means Energy and Warmth
For every 1 degree drop in temperature below its thermal comfort threshold, your horse needs an additional 2 MJ of energy to stay warm. This is approximately equivalent to:
0.25 kg of extra hay.
Increasing the forage (hay) ration is the most effective and safest way to provide this additional energy. The heat released during fibre digestion provides a lasting, stable warming effect from within.
Hydration: The Risk of Winter Colic
Many cases of winter colic are closely linked to inadequate hydration. Horses drink less cold water while eating larger quantities of dry feed (hay). This combination can lead to impactions in the digestive tract.
How to Prevent This:
Warming water: Research has shown that horses prefer water at temperatures between 7°C and 18°C and drink significantly more when it is warm (or at least not ice-cold). Installing drinker heaters or regularly topping up with warm water is an investment in your horse's health.
Soaking feed: For senior horses or those with dental problems, soaking hay or offering warm mashes can help increase water intake.
Salt: Make sure your horse has access to salt licks, or add a small amount of salt to its feed to stimulate thirst.
When Is Extra Energy Needed? Introducing Fats
Although fibre is the key to staying warm, some horses need additional energy to maintain condition. This applies particularly to:
Senior horses (which may struggle to digest hay efficiently).
Racehorses/competition horses (in intensive training).
Horses that lose weight easily (so-called poor doers).
In these cases, it is important to choose an energy source that provides plenty of safe calories.
Consider adding a safe energy source in the form of oil. An excellent choice is AniVero Omega 3-6-9 Oil. This natural supplement provides concentrated, readily available energy from fats rather than starch. This not only supplies safe calories, but also provides essential omega fatty acids that support:
Skin and coat health (crucial for thermal insulation).
General immunity and joint condition.
Adding oil is an effective way to increase the calorie content of feed without increasing its volume, which is particularly important for horses, whose stomach is the size of a rugby ball.
Management and Environment: More Than Rugs
Appropriate feeding accounts for 80% of success, but managing your horse's environment is equally important for ensuring comfort.
Protection from wind and damp: Wind is the greatest enemy of a horse's insulation. Make sure your horse always has access to shelter (a field shelter or stable) to protect it from draughts and rain/snow. A wet coat loses its insulating properties.
Rug thoughtfully: The decision to rug depends on breed, age, coat and level of training. A horse with a naturally thick coat and good environmental conditions may not need a rug. However, if your horse is clipped, older or struggles to keep warm, a rug is essential. Crucially, the rug must be dry and clean so it supports rather than hinders temperature regulation.
Movement: Keeping your horse moving is crucial. Movement stimulates blood circulation, helping deliver warmth to the limbs while also stimulating digestion and supporting the efficiency of its internal heater.
Monitoring Body Condition (BCS)
In winter, it is difficult to assess your horse's body condition score beneath a thick coat. Regularly, at least once every two weeks, take time to feel your horse thoroughly. Focus on the ribs (which should be felt with light pressure but not visible) and the tailhead. Weight loss during winter means the feed ration, especially hay, is insufficient.
To sum up, caring for your horse in winter is primarily about caring for its digestive system. By providing a constant supply of high-quality fibre, warm water and, where needed, safe energy sources such as AniVero Omega 3-6-9 Oil, you ensure your horse's thermal comfort and health until spring.
