Transitioning Your Horse Through the Seasons

Transitioning Your Horse through the Seasons

            For most equestrians, horseback riding is a year-round activity. Depending on the region of the country, the changing seasons can add many challenging and sometimes fun adventures to your normal routine.

            The spring and fall present welcome changes in weather as well as similar conditions. Typically, the temperatures are fluctuating and rain or thunderstorms are prevalent. During the spring and the fall it is important to check your horse’s shoes on a regular basis due to the mud and wet conditions. A shoe that was tight one day can easily be gone the next day. Also, some horses are more prone to stomachaches or mild episodes of colic when the temperature and pressure change quickly. Just like people, horses can get allergies and hay fever at this time of the year. There are numerous supplements and products available to control allergy symptoms, but talking to your veterinarian first is always a good idea. Riding during the spring and fall is pleasant for both the horse and rider. Normally, a horse will not need hosing off after a workout and will be happy just to be groomed. The current and overnight temperatures should be taken into account when bathing a horse. Most individuals will be fine as long as they get a cooler or sheet in order to prevent them from getting cold. Finally, the spring and fall are good times to wash and repair blankets, flysheets, and fly masks before they will be used again.

            The winter is likely the most challenging season due to the time change, the cold weather, and the break from competition. During the winter a horse owner or rider must carefully evaluate the individual needs of each horse. Some riders use the winter as a preparation time for the next show season, while other riders give their horses a few months off from working. Exercise during the colder months can be beneficial to the happiness, conditioning, and overall behavior of the horse. Workouts do have to be shorter and not as intense during extremely cold weather in order to protect the horse’s lungs. During most seasons, as long as the horse is on a consistent and appropriate routine it will adjust and acclimate to the conditions. No matter what schedule a horse is on in the winter, body weight should always be monitored. Horses can quickly lose or gain too much weight during the winter months. Heated buckets and heating elements for outdoor tanks are useful when ensuring a consistent supply of water. Depending on a horse’s training schedule and the thickness of the coat, body clipping can be beneficial. Horses will sweat less and dry more quickly following a workout. However, when a horse is body clipped, extra care must be given in order to ensure that the horse stays warm during the winter months. A quarter sheet can be helpful during exercise and heavier weight blankets and possibly neck covers ensure comfort and warmth in the stall or pasture. Blanketing is a debated and important issue during the winter. No decision is right or wrong as long as the owner is consistent. Assuming that a horse is not body clipped, the coat grows according to the weather conditions. Therefore, honoring the initial decision to use or not use a blanket is critical. If a horse owner decides to blanket, there are many different brands and weights available. A horse owner must evaluate the normal weather pattern for a winter in the region when choosing a specific weight of blanket. In many regions where the weather is mildly to moderately cold, a medium weight waterproof blanket will be adequate. Safety is one of the main issues during the winter months. Turnout should be controlled during dangerous or icy conditions. Exercise or turnout is important in order to keep the horse from building excess energy. Also, each owner should evaluate the need for shoes during the winter months. A horse with no shoes or only front shoes will have decent traction and be less likely to fall or injure themselves. If a horse needs shoes during the winter, there are numerous options available to horse owners. Borium is commonly melted onto the shoes or nails in order to give the horse traction and grip in icy and snowy conditions. The amount of borium used is dependent on the specific weather conditions and the individual needs of the horse. Horse shoes with rims are another option and they also add some stability and traction during the winter. A horse owner should discuss any thoughts and concerns with the farrier in order to successfully prepare and maintain the horse throughout the winter months.

            The summer is the most active season of the year. Horses should be acclimated to the heat and heavier workouts slowly. Hydration is critical to the health and performance of any horse. Every day a horse should drink at least a gallon of water for each 100 pounds of their body weight. Therefore, an average sized horse should consume about 10 gallons of water a day. The water requirements for each horse can vary greatly according to the region, climate, and discipline. A horse working in hot and humid conditions can easily need 2 to 4 times the average amount of water (“Dehydration”). Horses should have access to fresh water at all times in order to ensure that they drink the amount of water that their bodies need. If a horse is lethargic or ill during the summer, it should be carefully examined and given rest. The state of a horse can be observed by pinching the skin to check for dehydration, checking the capillary refill time, and observing pulse and respiration. A horse will sweat and breathe more heavily during a workout, so the warm-up and cool down times are important. Many individuals choose to give electrolytes during strenuous workouts and especially at competitions. There are many brands and variations of electrolyte powders and supplements that work effectively. The specific instructions and dosages should be followed carefully in order to meet the needs of the horse. A shortage of electrolytes in the body can be detrimental to a horse’s health, but supplementing too many electrolytes is also dangerous. A horse owner should always consult a veterinarian with any questions or uncertainties that may arise. Following a training session, the horse should be walked until the respiration returns close to normal. Once the tack is removed, the horse will greatly benefit from being hosed off with cold water before going back to the stall or pasture. Many individuals use box fans in order to keep the air circulating in the barn during the heat of the day. Some barns choose to turn the horses out in the pasture at night and keep them stalled during the day. Pasture time is more enjoyable at night for most horses during the extreme portions of the summer. Dark horses will not bleach out and most horses will have more energy when worked.

            With careful planning and thought all of the seasons can be enjoyable time for you and your horse. No matter what time of the year, it is just remember to plan ahead, be consistent, and monitor the health and happiness of your horse.  

Reference

“Dehydration and Electrolyte Losses in the Sport Horse.” Equine Sports Medicine. 2005-2006. Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. 8 Sept. 2007. <http://www.tufts.edu/vet/sports/dehydration.html#req>.