With winter weather and storms affecting most of the nation, understanding how the elements affect your horse will help you keep them safe, warm and healthy. In a recent article printed in The Horse newsletter, Heather Smith Thomas provides insight on how horses handle winter, and how we can help (when they need it).

Horses utilize multiple physiological features to keep themselves safe and warm throughout the winter months and they do well if allowed to adapt to colder temperatures gradually. Thomas explains how the horse’s coat handles cold temperatures and dry snowfall, but needs shelter during wet cold weather.

The article also explains that horses do not have muscle below the knee or hock. “The lower leg is mostly tendon and bone, which resist the effects of cold much better than muscle. These are not energy requiring tissues, in comparison with the rest of the body. Horses intermittently shunt the blood away from the feet in cold weather so they don’t get chilled.”

A combination of physiological features makes the horse uniquely prepared to handle the chilly months. Respecting their adaptions and helping in areas of need will give horses the safest environment.

Read all the details, get the full article here.

Utilizing the AquaPacer or AquaPacer Plus underwater treadmill systems is a great way to ensure your horses continue to get adequate amounts of exercise during the colder months. A 30 minute session in the AquaPacer is equal to 1 hour of exercise on land. This is an effective way to keep horses in shape through the winter and reduce injury in the spring when they return to normal activity levels. Contact Us today for additional information.