Keeping Your Horse Comfortable in Winter Weather

Winter can be tough on horses. Even though they’re naturally adapted to colder temperatures, sudden drops, wind, snow, or rain can stress their bodies. Understanding how cold affects horses and what you can do to help is key to keeping them safe and comfortable all season.

How Cold Affects Horses

Horses have natural defenses against cold, including a thick winter coat, a layer of fat, and the ability to regulate circulation in their extremities. Even so, cold weather can still affect their health in a few important ways:

• Higher energy needs: Horses burn more calories to maintain body heat, especially overnight.
• Heat from digestion: Horses generate heat through hindgut fermentation, so regular forage (hay) intake helps keep them warm.
• Water intake is crucial: Horses often drink less in freezing temperatures, increasing the risk of dehydration and colic. Adding equine-safe electrolytes can encourage proper hydration.
• Heat loss from weather: Exposure to wind or moisture can make even well-coated horses lose heat quickly.

Cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can affect a horse’s energy balance, digestion, and overall health.

Helping Horses Stay Warm Naturally

1. Forage is fuel

Horses generate internal heat while digesting forage. Providing constant access to hay helps them stay warm and maintain body condition.

2. Water and electrolytes

Ensure horses always have access to fresh, unfrozen water. Warm water can encourage drinking, and adding safe electrolytes helps maintain hydration, which is essential for proper body temperature regulation.

3. Shelter and wind protection

A dry, sheltered area reduces heat loss. Even a simple run-in shed or windbreak can dramatically improve comfort in cold, windy conditions.

4. Cool down after exercise

Let your horse cool down and dry after exercise before turning them back out. Even a little sweat can make cold weather feel much colder.

Blanketing Horses

Blanketing isn’t always required, but it can be helpful in certain situations. Whether or not a horse needs a blanket depends on several factors:

• Coat condition and clipping: Horses with a full, healthy winter coat can often tolerate cold without a blanket. Clipped horses lose much of this natural insulation and typically need a blanket to maintain warmth.
• Age and health: Older horses or those with low body condition scores may have less natural insulation and struggle to maintain body heat. Similarly, young, growing horses may require extra warmth during very cold periods.
• Access to shelter: Horses with access to a dry, wind-protected area can usually cope with colder temperatures better than those kept completely exposed. Even a simple run-in shed or natural windbreak reduces heat loss and may reduce the need for a heavy blanket.
• Access to forage: Horses generate internal heat through the digestion of forage. Horses with constant access to hay are better able to stay warm naturally. Horses without adequate forage may rely more heavily on blankets to maintain body temperature.
• Acclimation and climate experience: Horses not used to cold winters may benefit from extra warmth early in the season until they acclimate.
• Individual behavior and tolerance: Observe your horse. Signs such as shivering, lethargy, tucked tail, or reluctance to move may indicate they need additional warmth.

Key takeaway: Blanketing decisions should consider multiple factors together. A healthy adult horse with a full winter coat, access to shelter, plenty of forage, and mild weather may not need a blanket at all. Conversely, a clipped, older horse with limited shelter in windy, wet conditions will likely benefit from a medium or heavyweight blanket.

Choosing the Right Blanket

Blankets are classified by grams of insulation fill:

• Sheets / lightweight (0–100g): Minimal insulation; ideal for mild cold and to keep moisture off their coats.
• Medium weight (150–250g): Suitable for standard winter conditions.
• Heavyweight (300g+): Best for extreme cold, wet weather, or thin/vulnerable horses.

Waterproofing matters: If your horse will be outside, choose a waterproof turnout blanket. Stable sheets and fleece coolers are not meant for outdoor use in wet weather, but they can be layered under a waterproof turnout to add warmth when extra insulation is needed.

Measuring & Sizing Blankets

Fit is important: A well-fitting blanket covers from the withers to the tail, with straps snug but not tight. Poor fit can rub, restrict movement, or let cold air in.

How to measure your horse:

1. Use a soft measuring tape or a piece of baling twine (you can measure this afterwards).
2. Start at the center of the chest and measuring along the side of the horse's body, just behind the front leg, all the way to the center of the tail.
3. Measure in inches for US blanket brands.

Blanketing tips:

• The blanket should cover from the withers to the tail, without hanging too low or riding up.
• Straps should be snug but not tight; the horse should be able to move freely.
• Check your horse after the first few hours of wear to ensure there are no rubs or areas of tightness.
• If your horse is between sizes, it's usually safer to size up slightly, as a too-small blanket can restrict movement.
• Check blankets every day for wet spots, dirt, or signs of wear and tear. A clean, dry blanket works best to keep your horse warm.
• Watch for overheating: If your horse is sweating under the blanket, it’s too warm for the conditions. Remove it to keep them comfortable.

Proper fit + appropriate weight + good blanket maintenance = a happy, comfortable horse all winter long.

Always combine blanketing with proper forage, shelter, and hydration for best results!