Caring for older horses in the winter

At this time of year, we are all struggling with the freezing cold temperatures, maybe ice and snow, almost certainly the rain, wind and shortened days. However, if you have an older horse, they may be struggling more than you think. A few things should be taken into consideration to make sure they are kept in tip-top condition through the winter months

Teeth problems can be a major concern in older horses

As horses age, they can lose teeth or have fractures and gaps between teeth. Food can become stuck in areas of the mouth, causing pain and preventing normal chewing. If horses are unable to chew their food properly, they may not be able to take in as many calories, resulting in weight loss. Or they may have trouble eating the food, resulting in episodes of choke. Soaking the food well and using hay replacers can make it easier for the horse to get their daily allowance and prevent choke. 

However, to ensure that they can eat to the best of their ability, regular dental checks should be performed by a vet or equine dental technician. To find a suitably qualified person, check the list on the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) website. 

Over the winter months, horses often reduce the amount of water that they consume

Ensuring that the horse can access the water is important as this may be reduced if the field is boggy or if there is some bullying from a field mate. On particularly cold days, the troughs or buckets should be checked regularly to ensure that the water hasn’t frozen over

It’s also important to make sure there is enough food available during these times; as most of the horse’s water will be absorbed from the food. Less water will be consumed from hay compared to grass so the horse will need to take in more water through drinking than they would have during other times of the year. Water can