HORSES NEED WINTER SHELTER FROM WIND, COLD AS PEOPLE DO

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 23, 1992                   TAG: 9201220053
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
HORSES NEED WINTER SHELTER FROM WIND, COLD AS PEOPLE DO
Nature gives horses a thick winter coat, but warm housing should also be part of winter care for horses.
Horses' biggest need during cold weather is a windbreak. Horses can stand comfortably in the sunlight if they can get out of the cold wind.
On extremely cold nights, stabling is especially helpful for younger and older horses.
Wind and rain break the insulation value of the winter coat. Housing provides the needed protection from the more severe elements.
If the horses have a run-in or open shed, remove old bedding and manure which may have accumulated.
Then, bed it with 8 to 10 inches of old hay, straw, sawdust or shavings. This will provide warm bedding for the horses.
Never bed with moldy or dusty hay, and do not use black walnut shavings because they can cause founder.
Horses need clean, fresh water even in cold weather. Check the water supply in freezing weather.
Impaction colic is most common during cold weather due to decreased water intake and consumption of dry, coarse roughage.
Make sure the water pipes are wrapped so they do not freeze.
You can encourage horses to drink more water by providing salt.
Offer it free choice in a loose form or as a block.
Feed high-quality roughage to help horses generate internal body heat. With pasture available, it may seem too early to feed hay. A few pounds at night and in the morning will help keep horses warm.
Grain is not as effective as roughage at generating body heat.
A pound of hay generates more body heat than a pound of grain does.
Corn is not a cold-weather feed. Oats, because of their higher fiber content, produce more body heat than corn.
Feed a couple of pounds of oats and quality hay in the evening to prepare horses for the chill of the night.
Older horses with arthritis are more affected by cold weather.
They can't move as rapidly as other horses and often do not want to move because of pain. They may need to be separated from other horses, especially at night.
A stall will provide a warm, comfortable environment. It also provides a place where the horses can eat without fear of being chased by more aggressive horses.
Give weanlings extra attention. Remember, this is their first winter. They still may be stressed if just weaned.
Warm housing and proper feeding helps their continued growth.

Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions for him, he can be reached at the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB