04/12/2012
Tips for Winter in Asia - now that's got a bit chilly!
1) Walk your horse after work to allow his muscles to cool down properly, sweat to evaporate and avoid your horse feeling cold. Walk him with a rug on when you have cleaned him up/washed legs after work.
2) Rugs! He lives outside and barely moves in his stable. He will get cold! Esp watch older horses and keep their backs and hindquarters warm. You may spend a lot of time checking how cold/warm he is..but your horse will thank you for it.
3) Check your rugs fit! Buckles and straps loosen, - especially cross surcingles, rugs slip and rub.. It is amazing the number of rugs I have seen on horses that could potentially cause an injury. CHECK THEM!!
4) Watch his weight. Cold weather = more calories burned to keep warm and we tend to up their work in winter as warm up takes longer and we don't have to worry about heat exhaustion.
5) If your horse does a lot of work he made need clipping to prevent excess sweating. Check with your instructor/yard manager.
6) You may wish to add more bedding to his stable as he may lie down more at night.
:)
