Winter tips for every horse owner

There’s no way around the fact that winter can feel never-ending at times. But, here are some handy tips that could save you time and money:

Top winter survival tips:

• Make sure you are never caught without enough water. When the pipes thaw, fill up buckets and put them in tyres that are insulated with straw.
• Don’t be fooled into thinking that if you’re inside a barn that you’ll be warmer. It’s usually five degrees colder inside barns compared to being outdoors in the winter.
• Think about your horse’s legs too. It can make a real difference to your horse’s warmth if you bandage their legs at night.
• Struggling to get your horse to drink? Water is essential in a horse’s diet, so if they’re refusing cold water try offering it warmed up. Studies have shown horses are 40% more likely to drink water with the chill taken off.
• Time-saving during the winter months when the light is sparse will help you no end. We’ve got loads of tips that’ll give you extra time this winter.
• We all want to have a clean-swept yard, but during the winter it can help to leave some old shavings and bedding around — it’ll prevent the area turning into an ice rink.
• Julie Magnus, who owns Tina Cook’s former advanced eventer O’Leary, said: “Ash from the fire, mixed with frit and sand, makes a great barrier to stop ice on concrete.”

Try to not be in a rush, constantly. When it’s cold it’s easy to focus on getting everything done as quickly as possible. But, horses don’t like to be rushed and he’ll notice the change in your attitude. So, head to the yard with a clear mind and enough time to get the jobs done without having to run around like a headless chicken — you and your horse will both benefit.