Equine Welfare

Horse Winter Feed Management and Welfare

Proper winter feeding is critical for horse welfare, maintaining body condition, gut health, and thermoregulation during cold months when pasture provides little nutritional value.

Key Facts

Horses require 1.5-2.5% of body weight in forage daily, with needs increasing in cold weather due to thermogenesis
A 500kg horse may need an extra 2-3 kg of hay per day for every 5 degrees below -15 degrees C
Forage fermentation in the hindgut is the primary heat source for horses in cold weather
Abrupt changes in feed type or quantity are a leading cause of colic in winter
Adequate water intake, which can drop when water is very cold, is essential to prevent impaction colic

Welfare Considerations

Winter presents multiple feeding challenges: frozen water sources, reduced palatability of cold feeds, and energy demands for thermoregulation. Horses at pasture in winter require hay supplementation to replace lost grazing. Older horses, underweight animals, and those with dental disease require particular attention to winter body condition scoring and ration adjustments.

What You Can Do

Body condition score your horses monthly through winter and adjust feed accordingly
Ensure horses have continuous access to forage - never let hay run out in cold weather
Use water heaters or check water sources multiple times daily to prevent freezing
Schedule a pre-winter dental check and worming to optimize feed utilization
Work with a nutritionist to create winter ration plans for horses with special needs