What is your horse's shelter preference in winter weather? Photo by Colleen Peachey
When I’m going to be out in the winter weather, I dress accordingly. Layer upon layer, I make sure that I’m prepared to face snow, rain, ice and wind alike. Of course, I’m always happy to get back inside the warm and toasty house after I’m finished riding or working.
Like me, I find that my horses like their shelter in poor weather conditions. I’ve placed a run in shed that my horses can access from their paddock, which they seem to spend a lot of time in during days with weather is, well, less than ideal.
In an attempt to improve the footing in and around the run-in, we’ve made a couple of simple adjustments. First, pine pelleted bedding is used in the run in, to make it more inviting to stand in. There is also a framed out stone dust pad extending out five feet in front of the shed.
My horses seem to be especially content to hang out in their run in shed, especially when seeking out shelter from the elements, so I’m glad them seem to be comfortable and content in their shed. But do different horses have different preferences when it comes to shelter? Check out this article over on The Horse.com that looks at equine shelter preferences.
Also, check out some of the other headlines from This Week in Horse Health News Presented by Absorbine.
Long Haul Transport Risk to Horses: How often do you haul your horses on extended journeys? A recent study conducted in Australia suggests that horses are at an elevated risk of more serious aliments after being hauled on journeys that are over 20 hours. [Horsetalk]
Don’t Judge a Horse by His (or Her) Color: My very first horse is a chestnut gelding, and I’ve yet to figure out why there is such a stigma attached to chestnut horses. Have you ever found yourself judging a horse simply by their coat color? Hey, chestnut horses need love too! [The Horse]
Recognize & Prevent Hoof Abscesses: Dealing with a hoof abscess is no fun at all, especially when it comes time to poultice a hind hoof. What are some things that you can do to recognize, and even prevent hoof abscesses? Check out some tips from Jacob Butler, a Certified Journeyman Farrier with the American Farriers Association. [Equimed]
Protect Your Horse from Ice Injuries: Winter means that there are bound to be icy conditions in the paddock at some point; that is, if you live in the northern half of the country! It is important to make sure to exercise proper caution, and treat icy surfaces in order to prevent injuries for your horse. Check out some tips on how to protect your horse from ice injuries. [Equus Magazine]
Equine Sleep Patterns: Did you know that most horses only sleep an average of two and a half hours out of an entire 24 hour period? If you aren’t familiar with equine sleeping patterns, head over and check out this article to learn more about your horse’s normal sleep requirements, and factors that might cause him or her to become sleep deprived. [The Horse]
