How Climate Change is Affecting Our Horse Industry

Already changing weather is damaging grazing areas flooding and drying out pastures and pens producing too much or not enough rain and eroding land. Weather changes make forage production difficult resulting in hay and grain shortages and lower quality or changeable nutrientvalue feeds. Droughtstressed hayfields have higher sugar content but produce lower volumes of hay while waterlogged fields produce high volumes of hay with lower protein content. When hay supplies are scarce horse owners pay high prices when hay nutrients are lacking costly supplementation is required. In 2021 there was a hay shortage from British Columbia to Western Ontario so horse owners couldnt just purchase hay from another area the drought was so widespread that sufficient volumes of hay simply werent available
But changing climate also affects horse health inducing dehydration overheating hypothermia and weight loss as well as respiratory skin hoof and eye infections. Wet weather promotes skin diseases such as scratches and rain rot. Dry windy or smoky weather enhances dust which induces respiratory disease and coughs and limits riding time. Fastchanging weather and storms can increase the risk of colic while seasonal weather changes can affect fertility in broodmares and stallions and reduce breeding success. Drought causes horses hooves to dry out and chip while excess water and mud promote thrush and hoof disease. As the climate changes bugs parasites and diseases move to new areas. Diseases spread faster with broader outbreaks and quicker transmission between horses. Warmer drier and wetter weather support different types of biting bugs which act as disease vectors. Mice rats and other rodents expand into new locations. Some of this is already occurring. Wheaton says that diseases carried by insects are being transported into new areas. Ticks are present farther north are spreading between provinces and are viable earlier and later in the year. Mosquitos are expanding into new areas too. She also says horse allergies that havent been seen before are increasing and summer heat stress is a real concern.
Proactive Property Solutions
Wheaton advises horse and property owners to be proactive about climate change by preparing for weather possibilities not just addressing situations as they arise. Properties can be redesigned to deal with irregular weather events fluctuating temperatures and extreme storms while horses can be managed differently. Property owners expecting hotterthannormal weather should consider access to shade and cooling breezes for their horses ventilated and insulated barns low dust driveways arenas and pens