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Re: [RC] Feeding in Extremely Cold Weather - Jackie CausgroveHi
I live in Fairbanks Alaska. Winter temps are often 20 to 40 below zero and there are cold snaps where the temp drop lower than that. Recently, it was 59 below zero at the barn. Brrrr.
I have a small mare (14.2) and at present she is getting all the hay she wants to eat and that is supplemented with 4 pounds of alfalfa pellets. She also is getting 12 pounds of mixed grain a day. She is blanketed and wears a hood. She does have shelter but it is unheated. She is going through without any difficulty (no weight loss, no changes in appetite, no frostbite etc). She does have a super insulated heated water tank.
When it does "warm up" (slightly below zero or at zero), I usually keep her feed at the same level (if it is still likely to drop back into low temps), as a way of keeping her a bit ahead of the game. At that time, she is worked lightly (with an exercise blanket).
So, it's really a matter of supporting the horse nutritionally, blanketed (there are great turn out rugs now etc) and of course, water at all times. It's basically the same principles of living in extreme cold for humans as well. Mammalian physiology; that sort of thing.
Horses that are not use to such extreme temp are far more at risk. Mammals in subartic regions ( inc horses and human :) will develop more capillaries to extremeities (ie more blood supply). This is a physiological adaptation. Horses that are in a region that were there is winter but not subzero weather and then exposed to extreme temps are the ones at risk. But the same principles would be involved. The changes I would make is to sew something on the hood to cover their ears and bandage their legs (to attempt to cover and keep as much heat to their feet as possible). Also, try to provide some kind of shelter and provide lots of straw for them to bed down in.
Jackie
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