Living with Horses in the Snow

 We get snow.  We live in a "snow belt".  After two feet the snow is deep.  Real deep.  Then it gets up the horse's elbows (horses are 17-hand warmbloods).  Even with Global warming, we get lots of snow and now unfortunately ice in the winter.  How dealing with the snow and ice is not difficult.

Experts say to keep the horses off the fields.  They do not mean our fields.  Our fields are covered in snow. Lots of snow.  Not just a sprinkle.  By feeding the horses in the fields I no longer have manure and mud in the paddock in spring breakup.  The field is fertilized by the best and reseeded.  horse manure, fresh is great for feeding fields.  It is full of nitrogen and nutrients.  the hay the horses eat reseeds the pasture with grasses we want.   A win-win situation.  

The horses come into the paddock for salt and water or to pass through to another pasture.  hay is put out in the other field. No dealing with horses wanting to leave (they learn to stay in when the gates are open because they are always led out, and food is coming in).  Location for the hay is changed every time a bale is put out to give the horses a clean area to eat.  It is not as good as forking the hay and using a calf sled to move the hay.  Using the tractor to put out hay is a lot easier than forking.  

Moving around in winter keeps the horses fitter.  Keeps them occupied so they do not self-entertain. And distributes the manure.  

Plowing out the gates ensures they will open and horses can get in and out.  At some point, gates need to be scraped down.   Plowing and scraping by the water supply lower the packed snow so the horses are not drinking below ground level. 

the horses will be fine with temperature drops and cold temperatures because they have the freedom to choose where to be.  they have unlimited hay which is usually placed to shield them from the north wind.  The north wind is the coldest wind.  that is why loafing sheds in the north face south.  On a sunny day, the horses stand in front of a stand of evergreens, broadside to the sun.  

On warm winter days, the horses will move into the trees to be cooler.  Or not.  It is their choice where to be.  Food is usually nearby.  

A

n insulated stock tank is easy to achieve by glueing, nailing or screwing rigid foam insulation onto thin plywood.  Half the top is covered to help the stock tank heater.  Living in cold areas means the water will freeze.  The horses do need water in winter.  Eating snow is not an option.  

 Either run extension cords and hose out to the stock tank until a line can be put in.  Or situate the water close to power and a hydrant by changing the fences is another option.  It depends on how much you have to spend at this time.  Using a garden horse is torture as draining it and dragging a long hose into the basement gets old fast.  It is surprisingly cheap to have a water line dug with an electrical line a few feet above.  One can get a backhoe in or rent a ditch witch.  The backhoe probably would be cheaper in effort and money if you get an experienced operator.  In winter and even summer, you will consider the money well spent.  

If you use electric fencing do NOT desensitize the horses to the fence.  In winter the fences will not be hot unless you have positive and ground on the fence.  And the snow doesn't cover the fence.  And the horse is not wearing a blanket.  And the horse touches both strands.  It is easier to keep the horses away from the fence.

Horses that are afraid of electric fences stay away.  This means no injuries.  It is up to the human to encourage the horse to stay away from the fence.  No salt, no feed, no water, nothing that will attract the horse should be within 10 feet of the electric fence. Water is a challenge.  Board fencing near the water will stop the current from jumping into the water.  You will know there is an electrical issue when all the horses won't drink.  There is always at least one that is more cautious.  That is the one you watch.

Deep snow is great for horses.  It is fun to ride in.  The horses learn to move from behind galloping around in the deep snow. They develop the correct muscles.  Legs are kept cool by standing in the snow.  Swellings go down, legs tighten, and ligaments and tendons become a lot stronger.  Their living area is clean.  The world is beautiful, especially on a sunny day.  Keep horses outside, in a field with access to different terrain, shelters and friends.

Winter Pasture for Horses

Winter Pasture for Horses:  A Great Option for Winter Feeding

  Feeding horses in winter in Canada is an expensive proposition. Care for your horse will depend on temperatures, precipitation (type and the amount), and wind.  Each region has its own challenges.  Horse owners looking to keep horses outside, in a healthy environment that is also a benefit for the land and easy.  Look at winter pasture as a viable option. 

Roughage, usually grass or hay, is the most important feed for horses.  Digesting roughage keeps horses warm. Some years are difficult getting quality roughage.  Rain, too much or too little at the wrong time, too cool temperatures all make haying a challenge.  Add the cost of fuel, equipment, getting labour, exporting hay, and other crops that pay better:  these all add to the difficulties for a horse owner to affordable acquire hay.  

One option, researched extensively throughout North America, is leaving cattle on pasture all winter.  It can be either grass or a cereal crop, or grass specifically grown for winter feed;  the grass or cereal crops can be left standing or swathed.  Another term for saving feed out in the fields for winter feeding is "stockpiling".   

"In the fall plants accumulate non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) as a way to maintain itself over winter.  Where the NSC is stored will depend on the plant.  For instance, timothy stores its NSC in a corm under the ground.  Some plants are better at storing NSC than others.  Timothy is a good winter pasture grass as it is tall and tends to hold is Water Soluble Carbohydrates well,” explains Grant Lastiwka, P.Ag, Grazing/Forage/Beef Specialist of Alberta Ag Info Centre. 

Grant says,  "Just last weekend (January 19 weekend) I was snow blowing and found the grass underneath the snow to be still green and alive.  This is because the NSC acts like an antifreeze to prevent cell damage.  If the snow insulates enough and the NSC are high enough cell integrity are maintained.  It can even regreen in the spring and regrow from leaves, and tillers (plants within the plant) for a very early quick spring green up and growth." 

  What is needed for winter pasture 

  A fenced area with long grass (hay field or a pasture allowed to grow from mid-July to frost) is needed.  A water source, with electricity for the heater, and shelter (stand of 

B.Kinsey                   Winter Pasture     2

trees or shed).  Access to the field during the winter for putting out hay.  Do not expect the horses to paw through 60 cm of snow and do well.  Monitoring the horses condition and health.  Strip grazing, using electric fencing, can minimize wastage.   Moving fencing in three feet of snow may be a bit daunting.

  Pros of Winter Pasture

  The benefits of keeping a horse out in pasture for the winter are numerous.  The horses keep themselves fit moving from eating to sunbathing spots, to water, and back to the food.  Their bones and soft tissues strengthen using low impact, low intensity, long duration exercise.  All horses have equal access to feed. All the horses should be in good condition.  The horses are happier because they have the freedom to move, such as they are designed to be.  There is less bullying as the lessor horse can keep away from the dominant horse. The field is thinly fertilized and reseeded.  The next year (and subsequent years) grass crop will grow thickly and lush.  Harrowing the field will not necessary (as long as supplemented hay is spread out) in the spring.  

  Supplementing with Hay

 At some point in the winter, the field may run out of grazing or have so much snow that expecting the horses to paw for forage is ridiculous.  Put hay out in the field, again spread out so that field and horses get maximum benefit. Unroll round bales to spread manure and hay seeds;  it will, also, ensure all horses can eat their share.  Feeders pack the ground, concentrates the manure and wastes hay.  Lessor horses may not be able to eat their fill or eat in peace.

 Care of the Horses at Pasture

 A nutrient analysis of the grass will give information on the quality of grazing.  Supplementing may be necessary depending on analysis results and the horses condition, age, and body type.  Check the horses over looking for signs of injury, lameness, or just different normal.   When looking at body condition, remember there will always be at least one horse that does well.  Look at the lesser horses in the herd for condition.  Hooves need trimming.    Snow will not wear down hoofs.  Ideally, horses are barefoot for being out in the pasture. 

 The cons of keeping horses in winter pasture

 A longer walk out to see if the horses if you are not able to call them in. Haying may be a bit of a challenge.  It all depends on facilities, location and planning.  Hoping for the best does not work.

Take a page from ranchers.  Turn your horses out.  Top seed with no effort from yourself. Get incredible grass.  Keep your horses fit and sound, and healthy.  Spend your time having fun with the horses instead of on the tractor.  Enjoy walking among the herd.

References:

Grant Lastiwka, PAg

Grazing/Forage/Beef Specialist

Alberta Ag-Info Centre

Agruicultre and Rural Development

201 Provincial Building

5030-50 Street

Olds, Alberta  

grant.lastiwka@gov.ab.ca

Winter Grazing Options, February 2008, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Manitoba Forage Council www.mbforagecouncil.mb.ca  and at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture

ww.agr.gc.ca/env/greencover-verdir

or phone 1 866 844 5620

 Harper, Dr. Frederick, Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee, Department of Animal Science, 

Winter Horse Feeding,  Voice, 2004