Caring for Senior Horses in Winter

Winter brings unique challenges in caring for our senior horses. And don’t forget about older ponies, donkeys, and mules. Animals entering their golden years require specialized care to maintain their health and well-being during the winter months.

Keeping senior horses healthy in winter is no small task. Age-related changes—such as dental problems and chronic medical conditions—can significantly impact their ability to thrive in the cold, damp, winter months. The weather can make it more difficult for older horses to maintain their body temperature and keep up with their nutritional needs.

Dental Health

Older horses, donkeys, and mules frequently face dental issues that hinder their ability to chew hay effectively. If they have issues with weight loss or dentition, you can use alternative feed options to ensure they get the nutrients they need. High-quality senior feeds, soaked hay cubes, and soaked beet pulp are excellent alternatives. Check with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist to be sure you are offering your individual senior horse the nutrition it needs.

Feeding the Senior Horse in Winter

When feeding a senior horse during the winter, it’s crucial to tailor his or her diet to meet individual needs and seasonal challenges. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Monitor weight regularly: Track your horse’s weight using a weight tape and adjust its feed as necessary. Winter coats can often hide weight loss, making regular checks vital.
Increase caloric intake: Senior horses might require more calories to help them maintain body heat in cold weather. Consider adding more (or higher quality) forage, feed, or high-fat supplements to the diet to provide additional calories.
Provide free-choice forage: If dental issues don’t prevent it, allow free access to hay, which helps keep the horse warm as he or she digests the long-stemmed fiber.
Use senior-specific feed: Feeds designed for seniors can be easier to digest and often include the additional nutrients older horses require.
Wet feed: For senior horses with dental issues, soaking feed and forage can make those feedstuffs easier to eat and can reduce the risk of choke.
Supply fresh water: Ensure a constant supply of fresh, unfrozen water to encourage drinking and prevent dehydration. (Editor’s note: No, horses cannot get enough water to keep themselves healthy by eating snow.)¹
Offer Warm Meals: Feed warmed bran mashes or soaked feeds to provide comfort and warmth, which older equines might especially appreciate during cold weather.

Monitor Senior Horse Weight

Regularly monitor your horse’s weight and adjust feed quantities as needed to prevent weight loss. You’ll need to take a systematic approach to effectively monitor a senior horse’s weight. Here are some practical tips to ensure accurate weight tracking:

Use a weight tape: A weight tape is a handy tool to get a horse’s approximate weight. Wrap it around the horse’s girth area (just behind the front legs) and read the measurement according to the tape’s guidelines. Consistency is key when tracking weight changes in senior horses. Use the weight tape every two weeks to detect any fluctuations early. Changes in weight can signify health issues or the need for dietary adjustments.
Keep a weight journal: Document each weight tape measurement to track changes over time. Date and note any changes in diet or health that might coincide with weight fluctuations.
Visual inspection: Learn to assess the animal’s body condition score by looking at and feeling for the ribs, checking the horse’s topline, and observing areas of fat deposition or bony prominence.
Consistent schedule: Use the weight tape at the same time of day, preferably in the morning before feeding, to help ensure consistency from one reading to the next.
Veterinary checkups: Have regular veterinarian checkups to ensure your horse’s weight is appropriate for his or her age and breed. Your veterinarian can also help diagnose any underlying issues leading to weight gain or loss.
Photographs: Take monthly photographs from the same angles and compare them over time to track changes visually.

By closely observing and regularly documenting your senior horse’s weight, you can make informed decisions about diet adjustments and health care needs before minor issues become significant problems.

Shelter From the Cold

While horses are naturally adapted to cold weather, older horses might have a more difficult time maintaining body heat in winter. Providing adequate shelter can help protect them from the elements. This might mean a barn or stable for some, while for others a windbreak, run-in shed, or tree line might suffice.

Blanketing Tips

Blanketing can also be beneficial for senior horses, donkeys, and mules, especially those with difficulty maintaining weight. Keep in mind that donkeys generally don’t have a hair coat that thickens like a horse. Therefore, they might need additional blanketing in winter when horses are doing well with their winter coats.²

Blanketing can have many positive and negative influences on horses in winter, especially for seniors. Here are some scenarios when it’s advisable to use blankets, as well as times to avoid them.

When to Blanket

Temperature drop: If the temperature dips below what your senior horse is accustomed to, especially when combined with rain, snow, or wind, it’s wise to offer extra warmth and protection with a blanket.
Clipped coats: Horses that have been body-clipped for any reason might require blankets to compensate for their reduced natural insulation.
Health and body condition: Elderly horses with difficulty maintaining weight or with underlying health conditions might benefit from a blanket’s added protection against the cold and wet.
Adaptation: Horses not acclimated to colder climates, perhaps due to a recent relocation, might need blanketing during their first winter season.

When Not to Blanket

Mild weather: Overuse of blankets in mild weather can cause overheating and discomfort.
Good body condition: Well-fed senior horses with proper shelter that maintain a healthy body weight and condition might not need blanketing.
When it hinders more than it helps: If a blanket does not fit properly, causes chafing, or restricts movement, it might do more harm than good and should not be used.

Horse blankets’ varied weights and thicknesses are designed to offer different degrees of warmth and protection, adapting to the varying needs of senior horses through the winter. Blankets range from lightweight sheets that provide minimal warmth and serve primarily as barriers against wind and rain to medium-weight blankets that offer layers of insulation for cooler days.

When selecting horse blankets, the term “denier” refers to the fabric’s thickness and fiber density. The higher the denier number, the more durable, sturdy, and warm the blanket will be.

Blankets with a high denier count typically offer better resistance to tearing and can withstand the wear and tear of a horse’s active lifestyle. For instance, a blanket with a 600-denier rating is lighter and less durable than one with a 1,200-denier rating, which would be a heavier, stronger option suitable for horses that might be harder on their blankets.

It’s crucial to consider the denier when choosing blankets, as a well-constructed blanket can significantly impact a senior horse’s comfort and protection in winter weather.

Exercise and Health Monitoring

In addition to carefully managed winter nutrition and shelter, exercise remains a crucial component of a senior horse’s winter care. Regular, light exercise can help a senior horse maintain muscle mass and joint mobility.³

While exercising an older horse in colder months, it’s essential to prioritize safety and the animal’s comfort. Because of stiff joints or arthritic pain that can be exacerbated by cold weather, low-impact activities are the best approach. Walking exercises can enhance circulation, increase joint mobility, and contribute to overall well-being without straining the horse.

If the weather is too harsh for outdoor activities, consider gentle indoor exercises such as stretching or targeted groundwork. Always make sure the ground surface provides sufficient grip to prevent slipping and injuries. It’s also vital to allow sufficient time for a thorough warm-up and cooldown period during each exercise session to reduce muscle stiffness.

Winter exercises should be tailored to the horse’s individual needs. Always consult with a veterinarian or an equine specialist when designing an exercise program for a senior horse.

For health monitoring during winter, pay special attention to signs of discomfort or illness, which might be more difficult to detect under a thick winter coat. Look for changes in behavior, such as lethargy or decreased appetite, which can indicate a health issue.

Regularly scheduled health checks by a veterinarian can identify and address any concerns early on, such as respiratory issues that cold air might aggravate. Additionally, ensure your horse, donkey, or mule has updated vaccinations and deworming schedules that are maintained throughout the winter to prevent disease.

Keep a close eye on hoof health, as wet conditions can lead to problems such as thrush or soft hooves, which might make them more prone to cracking or injury.

Final Words

Caring for senior horses, mules, or donkeys in winter can be challenging. But, with careful attention to feed, shelter, and exercise, we can help them navigate the season comfortably. By staying informed and proactive, we can ensure our older equine friends enjoy their golden years, whatever the weather.