Winter Horse CareWinter horse care does not have to be complicated, but it does require a bit more planning and flexibility than in the warmer months. How many calories?It is often assumed that horses need less calories during the winter months because they are less active. This could not be further from the truth, and in fact, exactly the opposite is true.Horses need MORE calories in the colder months to maintain their body temperature. However, most of these calories should come from long stem forage, which provides much more heat production per pound than grains and processed feeds do. The Importance of WaterOne of the biggest challenges in winter horse care is providing enough fresh, clean water. Even the largest of stock tanks eventually freeze over with ice, and if your horses rely on smaller water containers such as buckets, the water will freeze that much faster.The ideal situation is to have a heater of some kind that keeps the horse's water unfrozen and at a comfortable drinking temperature around the clock. However, various obstacles such as expense, lack of electrical outlets near water sources, and horses that insist on destroying anything in their reach often prohibit water heaters being installed for many horses. If a water heater is not a viable option for your horse, there are some things you can do to keep water available for longer periods of time:
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