Horses have evolved to cope with weather conditions of all kinds, but they have less choice as to where they can go to escape adverse weather in captivity as we provide stabling and fields of varying sizes, exposure and drainage, which will always be more restrictive than the potential range of a wild herd. It is the owner’s responsibility to give his horse sufficient shelter from extremes of heat and cold and provide it with everything else it may need to live comfortably with the changing seasons.
Shelter is Always Needed
In the fields horses must have shelter of some kind, whether this is natural in the form of hedges and trees, or a manmade construction. Shelter enables the horse to avoid the discomfort of heavy winds and rain, and to find extra warmth in very cold conditions. In summer a shelter will protect from the heat of the sun and the attentions of flies.
Care must be taken that sufficient shelter is available to all horses in the field. A small shed-type shelter can be occupied by the most dominant horse at the optimum times which may dissuade subordinates from entering. It is also dangerous if the shelter is very small or has a narrow opening, as horses caught up in disagreements amongst themselves will struggle to reach safe distance from an aggressor or escape if another horse is bullying them. Find out if there is a reason why horses are not using apparently available shelter- is it rickety and making strange noises in the wind? Is the ground under trees too boggy? - and address these problems.
In Hot Weather
In the summer horses with pink skin should wear high factor sun screen on vulnerable spots, like the nose. Even if it is overcast apply sun screen, as harmful sun rays are stronger and can still burn susceptible horses. Paler horses with light skin are high risk, as are horses with very fine, thin coats. Appaloosas often have pale mottled skin and fine hair, which may mean that they are best protected by wearing a lightweight summer sheet and a nose-covering fly mask in the field, along with a layer of sun lotion.
Dark horses can become sun bleached in summer, a particular problem with black horses which may take on brown and red tones particularly in their manes and tails. There are feed supplements available that claim to help reduce this, and again, a summer sheet and fly mask can be useful to take off the direct rays, but horses particularly prone to either being burned or their coats being bleached may be best off kept in during the day and turned out overnight instead.
When it is very hot other horses may also prefer being kept in a cool shady stable during the day, away from flies. Flies are a constant torment on very hot days, and a fly repellent is essential, particularly when it is very still and flies can congregate on a horse easily without being blown away.
Bear in mind the effect of the heat on the exercise you ask your horse to do under saddle. The horse may feel lethargic and tire quickly, and sweat profusely. If you are both working hard take regular breaks and remember to clean off a hot, sweaty horse with cool water to get the sweat out of the coat. If allowed to remain it can itch and increase attention from flies.
In Cold Weather
When it’s cold horses will use more of the energy they get from their food in generating body heat, so ensure that your horse has enough to eat to maintain condition. Hay rations should particularly be increased as it is digesting this fibrous material that will provide a lot of internal warmth. Remember to regularly smash any ice on water troughs and if possible regularly give horses access to water that is not at a freezing temperature to encourage them to drink enough.
Unclipped horses tend to cope quite well with the cold, although the more highly bred horses like thoroughbreds will not grow substantial winter coats and may need rugs even if they are not clipped. Unclipped hairy horses can sweat up very badly if asked to work hard under saddle, which can leave them damp and cause a chill. This is why many working horses are clipped of their winter coat and rugged up instead. If your horse needs rugs in winter make sure you have some spares in case one becomes soaked, badly soiled or damaged, so your horse can be kept clean and dry.
Under saddle horses may be frisky if they are feeling the cold. Warm ups take much longer and older horses will be stiffer when they start working. Exercise rugs are a wise investment for finely built or clipped horses which can be very uncomfortable being worked in the cold.
Metal shoes do not allow much grip on ice and along with icy roads can be downright dangerous. Riding out in such conditions is a high risk so try to exercise only in the school as necessary, but check the footing first. Any school frozen rock solid will be uncomfortable for your horse to do much more than walk on, and if it has shoes on, again it is more likely to slip.
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