Tips for Keeping Horses During Extreme Winter Weather

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Feed
Horses need more fuel to keep warm in extremely cold situations. Consider adding a high fat high protein pelleted feed or sweet feed mix to your horses diet to help them cope.
Blanket Use
Do not let your horse sweat under his blanket. If you have a night that dips to 10 degrees followed by a sunny afternoon at 45 degrees run your hand under the blanket at your horses shoulder to make sure he isnt getting over heated. If your horse feels warm remove the blanket and vigorously curry the coat to lift the hair up and allow air to circulate throughout the hairs.
Behavioural Changes
Watch your horse carefully so you will notice any changes in his behaviour immediately. Horses are prone to colic in severe weather many times because they dont drink enough. The first clue that your horse isnt drinking enough may be a reduced appetite. Make sure he continues his normal routine. If your horse lies down in an odd place or at an unusual time go out and check on him.
Plan Ahead
Extreme weather conditions are hard on everyone. Just as you need to plan ahead to keep food in the house and water flowing to the sink in your kitchen advance planning is required to get your horse through the challenges of cold and snow until the weather moderates. When you stock up on soup bottled water and firewood for yourself take the time to be sure your horse blankets are clean and in good repair that you have arranged to keep water available in the barn and take careful note that your horse is eating producing a normal amount of manure and moving normally.