We have insulated water buckets and put plastic bobbing rings in them in the barn. But even then they are freezing in the cold we have had. I was taught you always want to dump the ice out because keeping ice in will make them freeze again faster. So I dump out and refill with warm water minimum twice a day. We also have trough heaters but the fuse they are on keeps tripping. So it's REALLY important to check them multiple times a day. I let the horses tell me if they want to stay out - and surprisingly they usually do. But a couple of them will say that they want back in after an hour or so when it's so cold. Another tip is to keep your barn closed up! I put all wheelbarrows and everything else inside so I need to open the doors as little as possible, and I don't open up stalls to let the horses walk in and out. The barn will stay a lot warmer closed up than open constantly. If it does get to the point where we need to keep everyone in (whether ice or cold), I set up hay at both ends of the aisle, put out a warm bucket of water, and leave them an empty stall to wander into. Then I let them wander around in the aisle while I muck their stalls. It at least gets them a little bit of a leg stretch and enrichment. I also put treats on the counter sometimes too. It's fun to see what they each choose to do because they are all different!
Love that we consider the horses opinion on blankets! So true. My guy has a huge winter coat but he’s also 22. So he’s naked until the teens and then I throw a midweight with neck attachment on him. I agree with Z about the cold weather- I get grouchy too😂
We have insulated water buckets and put plastic bobbing rings in them in the barn. But even then they are freezing in the cold we have had. I was taught you always want to dump the ice out because keeping ice in will make them freeze again faster. So I dump out and refill with warm water minimum twice a day. We also have trough heaters but the fuse they are on keeps tripping. So it's REALLY important to check them multiple times a day. I let the horses tell me if they want to stay out - and surprisingly they usually do. But a couple of them will say that they want back in after an hour or so when it's so cold. Another tip is to keep your barn closed up! I put all wheelbarrows and everything else inside so I need to open the doors as little as possible, and I don't open up stalls to let the horses walk in and out. The barn will stay a lot warmer closed up than open constantly. If it does get to the point where we need to keep everyone in (whether ice or cold), I set up hay at both ends of the aisle, put out a warm bucket of water, and leave them an empty stall to wander into. Then I let them wander around in the aisle while I muck their stalls. It at least gets them a little bit of a leg stretch and enrichment. I also put treats on the counter sometimes too. It's fun to see what they each choose to do because they are all different!
Yes!! I love bringing the hay into the barn to stuff around the doors to keep the warmth in
Really informative. I don't have horses but I feel like if I did those were some useful tips pitched at the right level.
Thanks!
Lordy. I want to live in that barn. Lol.
Haha!! Thank you
Love that we consider the horses opinion on blankets! So true. My guy has a huge winter coat but he’s also 22. So he’s naked until the teens and then I throw a midweight with neck attachment on him. I agree with Z about the cold weather- I get grouchy too😂
I feel like you can’t go with a one size fits all method with blanketing the horses run hot or cold, and that really weighs into how you blanket them
These,😇 Horses need the same care as Humans do in cold Northeast winter weather.
Yes I agree!!
LOL at 10:44 he looks like he wants to eat you for dinner 🤣
🤣🤣🤣 really hates blankies right now hence the scoping lol