With the winter weather biting and more cold temperatures on the way, it is vitally important that horse owners check their animals for signs of distress regularly. While most horse owners are responsible and knowledgeable, there are a small number of people out there who are careless and this can have serious implications. Owners must be held accountable for the care of their horses, so it is important to pay particular attention to the following five areas:
1. Water pipes and automatic drinkers may be frozen – check them daily. Ensure that horses have access to an adequate supply of clean water that is not freezing cold. Horses drink a surprising amount, even in very cold weather.2. Horses generate large amounts of heat through the process of digestion, especially the breaking down of fibrous food in the large intestine, so provide forage (hay or haylage) on an ad-lib basis supplemented with concentrates, and not the other way round.3. Unless very thin-skinned or clipped, horses cope with dry, cold weather remarkably well. They fare worst when extreme cold is combined with wet, windy conditions. They now need protection from overexposure. Don’t clip the natural hair or groom all the natural oils from horses’ coats without good reason. Provide shelter from wind and rain using barriers like waterproof rugs, hedges and man-made structures.4. Check horses at least once a day for signs of illness and injury. Try to prevent the most likely and act promptly when any occur. Sick horses deteriorate more rapidly in severe weather conditions.5. Horses fare best in groups and when they have jobs to do. They are sociable animals that enjoy the company of other animals, and people.Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has previously indicated that his Department is in a position to provide emergency funding to assist horse owners who cannot afford to pay for humane disposal of their horses if this situation arises.
Owners who are facing a critical horse welfare issue over coming days can contact the Department helpline for assistance on 1890-200510.
With the winter weather biting and more cold temperatures on the way, it is vitally important that horse owners check their animals for signs of distress regularly. While most horse owners are responsible and knowledgeable, there are a small number of people out there who are careless and this can have serious implications. Owners must be held accountable for the care of their horses, so it is important to pay particular attention to the following five areas:
1. Water pipes and automatic drinkers may be frozen – check them daily. Ensure that horses have access to an adequate supply of clean water that is not freezing cold. Horses drink a surprising amount, even in very cold weather.2. Horses generate large amounts of heat through the process of digestion, especially the breaking down of fibrous food in the large intestine, so provide forage (hay or haylage) on an ad-lib basis supplemented with concentrates, and not the other way round.3. Unless very thin-skinned or clipped, horses cope with dry, cold weather remarkably well. They fare worst when extreme cold is combined with wet, windy conditions. They now need protection from overexposure. Don’t clip the natural hair or groom all the natural oils from horses’ coats without good reason. Provide shelter from wind and rain using barriers like waterproof rugs, hedges and man-made structures.4. Check horses at least once a day for signs of illness and injury. Try to prevent the most likely and act promptly when any occur. Sick horses deteriorate more rapidly in severe weather conditions.5. Horses fare best in groups and when they have jobs to do. They are sociable animals that enjoy the company of other animals, and people.Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has previously indicated that his Department is in a position to provide emergency funding to assist horse owners who cannot afford to pay for humane disposal of their horses if this situation arises.
Owners who are facing a critical horse welfare issue over coming days can contact the Department helpline for assistance on 1890-200510.
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