Horse riding excursions may become more infrequent as winter temperatures take over. Even though it can be tempting to slack off a bit on horse-related chores, it's important to maintain proper care of your equine pal throughout the cold winter months. As you endeavor to keep your horse healthy, safe and comfortable until spring returns, these horse tack suggestions can help you get through the upcoming winter season.

Winter Grooming

• Grooming Kit. If possible, it's best to allow your horse's coat to grow during the winter. Its natural insulating properties help keep your horse warm on cold winter days. Invest time in brushing and grooming your horse to keep him clean and maintain a healthy coat.
• Hoof Care.  Even if you are not riding as frequently, it's still important to provide your horse with proper hoof care. Ensure your horse has proper tracking in the snow and ice by having your farrier put winter shoes with studs on during the cold months. Snowball pads can also be a good choice, and will expand and contract as the hoof sets down and keep snow from accumulating.

Shelter from Winter Weather

• Day Shelter. On days when it's cold and windy, or sleeting and snowing, horses should be able to seek shelter in an open-sided shed or stable while turned out. Adequate shelter allows a horse to spend time outdoors without becoming chilled, wet or both.
• Blanketing. A horse's natural coat serves as insulation when allowed to grow over winter. Blanketing with a waterproof turnout blanket can be beneficial when your horse's coat is at risk for getting wet, which diminishes its natural insulating ability. Use one that provides adequate coverage and will keep your horse's coat dry.

Winter Riding

• Assess Horse Tack Needs. The winter months, when extreme cold temperatures make decrease your time in the saddle,, are an ideal time to assess your horse tack needs. Proper care of leather goods year round will ensure that leather tack is in good condition. But, if horse tack is older or not performing as it should, now is the time to assess your needs and take care of them before the spring season arrives.
• Warm Up, Cool Down. Exercise is still important throughout winter, but you don't want to work your horse up into a sweat. Likewise, the warm up and cool down components of a workout become even more important to prevent injury or illness from exercising cold, stiff muscles or having your horse go from sweaty to chilled within a short timeframe. Use of a quarter sheet while warming up and cooling down, or even throughout the entire ride on a particularly cold day can help keep your horse’s muscles warm. If your horse is blanketed, using a cooler while grooming him will also help.

Food and Water

• Heater for Water Bucket. In addition to the snow your horse may consume while outdoors, a fresh, drinkable water source is essential to hydration and digestion. A water heater will keep your horse's supply of water above freezing, allowing it to drink freely. Horses should ideally be drinking water that is between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and  a water heater allows you to increase the temperature on cold days to ensure your horse gets the hydration he needs.
• Increased Caloric Needs. Consult with your equine nutritionist to determine your horse's dietary needs during wintertime. Caloric consumption and energy use will vary greatly depending on your horse's size, age, health and activity level. Many horses need an increase in calories to maintain weight during the winter when they are using more energy to stay warm, but this should be done so gradually.

Prepare for Winter and All Year Round

As winter approaches, make sure you assess your horse's needs and any needs you have for riding equipment. Use this time to replace old or non-functioning supplies in preparation for the coming year. Equine equipment and supplies that are in good working order are an essential part of caring for your horse in wintertime and all year long.

Ashly Snell works at Dover Saddlery and has been an avid equestrian for 20 years. She currently enjoys eventing with and caring for her two Dutch Warmbloods.