Category: Cold Weather Care

Holiday's for Horses

12/24/2019

he festive season may be upon us, but that doesn't mean you forget about your beautiful horses! This can be one of the most exciting times to share with your horses and those who help care for them.

Happy December everyone! Can you believe it's already here and that Christmas is just days away? Where did 2019 go? As we have been keeping a steady eye on our beautiful horses and making sure Santa pays a visit to Middleton, we have been thinking about some of the best ways to celebrate with your horses! That's right! We celebrate with our beautiful horses, so there is no reason for you not to! Are you stumped on ideas on how to celebrate this time of year with your majestic four-legged family member? Here are ten ideas to help you make this holiday the best year yet!

Give your beautiful horses a day off, and come visit us! Our beautiful horses are so excited to share this time of year with you, and so are we! We have rides available up until Christmas Eve!
The holidays give you a little time away from your normal schedule, don't give it all to your friends and family! Save some for your horse too! They need extra love and a few extra carrots this time of year.
Don't hit the snooze button all through your holiday. Get up early and muck out the stables, go for an extra long ride, schedule those extra training sessions, and start planning for next year.
You do family photos during the holidays, why not extend this to your beautiful horses? Take advantage of the snow, some jingle bells, a horse safe wreath, and maybe some matching Christmas plaids? What a perfect Christmas card!
On the days you celebrate your holidays, take advantage of nape time. While everyone else takes their afternoon nap, take a special picnic snack (some for you, and some for your horse) to hive them a little extra love. That's what the holidays are all about, right?
Everyone loves presents or a day at the spa this time of year! In our recent blog discussing horse care in cold weather, we talked about safe grooming, horse hoof care, and blanket use. Why not use the holidays to get a jumpstart on all these things? Bring in the groomer one extra time to make their coats and manes shine. Spend a few extra minutes caring for their winter coats. Get a new set of horseshoes. Finally, get that extra cozy and handsome horse blanket you've had your eye on for them. It's the holidays, and your horse can and should enjoy it with you.
In safe conditions, have a play date. Build a snowman and let them join. Crunch through the snow together. Explore the new sights and smells together.
Let them rest, but not too long! If you do get snow this Christmas, hitch up your horses to a sleigh or a carriage that can handle snow. Decorate them with garlands, bells, blankets, and take a ride. "Jingle Bells" makes it sound like so much fun, add it on to your list of holiday traditions.
If you have a barn or stable staffed with amazing employees, it's time to celebrate with and for them. With the entrance of cold weather, show season and other activities have slowed or ended for the year. Host a barn isle party, and let your holiday begin! Have a potluck, music, and games. Have a stall decorating contest, surprise everyone with a new horse for the family, and don't forget to bring treats for the horses!
Give back! There are so many amazing foundations to help horses in need for a multitude of reasons. During this festive time, it can get harder for these horses and those who care for them. During your time of celebration, pause to give back.

See? The holidays are the reason for the season and you can enjoy them with your horses too! From the Middleton Equestrian Center family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Cold Weather Care!

11/26/2019

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With the temperatures dropping at alarming rates here in the Lowcountry, it's time to get yourselves and your horses ready for winter!

It's been a cooler fall than many of us in the Lowcountry and Southeast expected. It looks like it's going to be a pretty cold winter. So, it's time to get your stables and horses ready for whatever might come our way this year. Dare we say it, maybe even snow!

Important Steps To Follow:

We all move pretty slow in the wintertime, all bundled up and staying inside as much as possible. It's the same for horses. They aren't as active as they are in other seasons, but because they don't have giant horse parkas to put on, they burn a ton of calories to keep themselves and their muscles warm. It's recommended adjusting the feeding amount to a larger quantity to help keep them warm. Grain and hay are both excellent options. Hay is a bit better for the horse in this situation because it creates more heat inside the horse's body while it is being digested.
Horses tend to drink less water in the winter, and dehydration and cold water options can lead to colic and other health issues. Provide them with warm drinking water to keep them hydrated and healthy.
Make sure your barn or stables are winterized and ready for the winter. Any holes, leaks, insulation issues, massive drafts, and other issues need to be taken care of. Make sure there is excellent ventilation in the barn at all times.
Horses can withstand very cold weather conditions thanks to their winter coats. But if their coat gets too wet or disturbed, they can lose body heat very quickly and dangerously. Make sure their skin and coat are in good shape before the cold winter sets in, along with their hoofs. A check-up with the vet as the weather changes is a good idea too!
Blankets can, of course, be used! They help with weather conditions that continue to be wet, snowy, and icy. It helps protect their winter coats. They are also beneficial for young horses, horses whose winter coats might have been sheared off, or if our Southeastern horses aren't used to the sparse - but possible - unnaturally cold snaps. Keep an eye on your horse's coat if you decide to use blankets. Make sure the blankets aren't causing sores or irritation.
Your horses will be spending more time inside during the winter months. Their stables and stalls need to be kept cleaner and cleaned more often to keep up with this.
As much as you can, exercise your horse. Let them walk and run outside as much as the weather allows. Be careful and avoid deep snow and very wet conditions to prevent injury. If you have an indoor training or riding facility, take advantage of it during the colder months. If you can strike up a friendship with other horse owners than have these facilities to use, do it!
Keep horses away from the ice, deep snowdrifts, and other dangerous conditions. Keep snow and ice out of paddocks and outside shelters.
Don't let their hooves get overgrown. Clean out mud, snow, and ice from them after a ride or if they've been outside.
Keep de-worming throughout the colder months.

The winter might seem harsh on you and your horses, but it doesn't have to be. Prepare early and understand that their care might take a little more time than usual. On beautiful winter days, always take advantage of them with your horses and enjoy it as much as possible. Until then, come ride with us and enjoy the changing weather on our beautiful trails!

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Middleton Place Equestrian Center Blog

Holiday's for Horses

Cold Weather Care!

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