Cold Weather Feeding

Borrowed from Facebook today, posted by Purina Horse Feed:

"Did you know? It is a myth that feeding more corn during cold weather will help keep horses warm. It simply provides more energy (calories)."

This post makes me wonder, as I often do, about how much common sense and how much actual knowledge is applied to being a horse owner, AND, how much horse owners are swayed by manufacturers to buy their product. This post is like a commercial for some sickeningly sweet treat during cartoons designed to sway the kiddos into begging.

I personally feed more hay during the winter. I don't increase the grain because that is a manufactured product and it just causes fat. I increase the hay, the natural forage. 

When increasing the hay, I increase it throughout the day, not just at morning and night. I have always fed my horses throughout the day. One big meal morning and night just doesn't make any common sense. They need a constant supply of grass or hay. They don't eat all day long, contrary to popular belief. I have observed my horses and they do stop, even when in grass, to snooze, or just to take a break. I have stuffed hay in hay bags in the early morning and have found hay in them late in the afternoon. Some horses do moderate their eating. I have had mares in my barn that are absolute vacuum cleaners, that can eat faster and more than anything I have ever seen, but most horses do not eat like this.

In the winter they will move around more to stay warm. It is not because they are freezing. Their natural instinct is to move or shiver to stay warm and they are well-equipped to deal with the elements. When they do this, they use up the calories from their food. The colder it is, the more they move, the more calories they need. Obviously if you see your horse shivering you should consider why and check them all over.

I also turn out in the cold. Many people will say "it's too cold for the horses to be out". No, it's probably too cold for humans to be out. The horses are FINE!! As my awesome vet once said, they can stand around in a stall and be cold or get out, get fresh air, and be outside moving around staying warm. Barns are just as cold as being outside. I have yet to come across a heated barn. They might be about 10 degrees warmer because the wind is blocked and there's heat generated from the horses, but barns are cold, too. Now, if they don't have shelter to protect them from wind, you should always check on them often.