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ES Epigenetics: equine nutrition programs the foal of the future.
October 26, 2023
The science behind a warm coat, cold hooves and deliberate management
The winter season raises questions for horse owners every year. Should my horse wear a blanket? Can it still go outside when it's freezing? Does it need more concentrate feed? And what about drinking water when it ices?
Many of these questions stem from human projection. Too often we forget that a horse is not a human being - or even a dog or cat. The horse is a herd animal naturally able to adapt to harsh weather conditions, provided its basic needs are properly met.
Horses are much more resistant to cold than to heat. A healthy adult horse in winter coat can handle temperatures down to -15°C without a problem. The winter coat forms a natural insulating layer, with the raised hairs holding warm air close to the skin.
What undermines this mechanism? Wind, rain, mud AND blankets. Because a wet or flattened coat loses its insulating effect.
Therefore, his stay dry and be able to seek shelter more important than temperature per se. Provide a shelter or natural windbreaks (hedges, trees) and avoid covering unless strictly necessary - for example, with older or sick horses, or with shorn animals.
Staying warm takes energy. And a horse gets that energy in winter primarily from... fiber.
Digestion of roughage (such as hay) releases heat - a process called thermogenic combustion. This is why horses in winter benefit from more roughage, not necessarily more concentrate feed.
A horse produces its own central heating system in the colon, with fiber as fuel and bacteria as the stoker. Adequate quality hay is therefore not a luxury, but a physiological necessity.
Pro tip: small portions are good, but ad libitum is better
Feed small portions more often than large amounts twice a day. In this way, intestinal activity (and thus heat production) is better maintained. Even better is to feed roughage ad libitum (at will) to provide the horse with continuous access to fiber-rich food - as nature intended.
This applies even to overweight horses. Winter hay is generally higher in fiber and lower in energy than spring or summer hay, and you can "deplete" it further by partially mixing it with clean straw. That way you give your horse the satiety and thermogenic support it needs without losing sight of the energy balance.
A common problem in winter is subclinical dehydration. Horses need just as much water in the winter as they do in the summer. Only, they often drink less once the water gets colder, and some horses stop drinking (almost) completely when the temperature drops below 15°C. Frozen or icy water is not only unattractive - it can also be painful for sensitive teeth.
Nevertheless, adequate fluid intake remains necessary. A 500 kg horse needs an average of 25 to 40 liters of water per day, even in cold weather. Not drinking enough increases the risk of constipation colic, especially when combined with a drier diet (such as grassless hay).
Thus, provide:
Daily monitoring on freezing or dirt
Water that is not colder than 10-15°C if possible
Heated drinking systems or buckets at sensitive drinkers
Additional wet food or slobber as a supplement
Possibly a little salt or electrolytes To stimulate the sense of thirst
Exercise not only promotes circulation and digestion, but also overall well-being. Preferably leave horses outside daily, even in cold temperatures - as long as the ground is safe.
Frozen mud, slippery concrete or ice can lead to slips and injuries. So consider anti-skid facilities in the yard and proper hoof care.
Horses that barely get outside in winter are more likely to show stiffness, behavioral problems and digestive complaints. Outdoor air and exercise is not a luxury. It is as essential as feed and water.
The winter coat is functional. Excessive brushing can affect the layer of fat on the skin, reducing its insulating capacity.
Feel free to let your horse be "dirty. Tangles and mud can be bothersome, but avoid aggressively stripping away the natural protective layer unless it is really necessary (for example, with scuff marks or under a saddle).
Use soft brushes and limit washing to the bare essentials. If your horse really must be washed, provide a warm, draft-free room and a decent drying time.
Not every horse needs supplements in winter, but in certain cases extras may be appropriate:
Omega 3 fatty acids (such as flaxseed oil): support skin and coat
Vitamin E and selenium: in horses on hay and without access to fresh grass
Probiotics/prebiotics: for disturbed intestinal flora due to feed changes
Get advice based on the individual need and not based on the season alone. Supplements are not seasonal fashions.
A horse is perfectly equipped to weather the winter, as long as we don't think from our own human comfort. Staying warm is something a horse does from the inside out: through roughage, exercise and a protective coat. What you as owner can do is support that natural system with thoughtful management, not replace it with overprotection.