by Lisa Kiley
W
ith the winter upon us, it often means more stall time for our horses during colder days and inclement weather. Some horses love their stalls, while others are not as excited about being confined in a space. Either way, there are things that you can do as an owner to make their space inviting, healthy and comfortable:
Ventilation – When it’s cold out, it is instinctual to want to close the barn tight to keep it as warm inside as possible, but when it comes to respiratory health of your horse, it can be detrimental. Dust, stall odors and even hay can contribute to respiratory issues. The best ventilation will allow the stale air to escape the barn without causing a draft. Ventilation strips under the eves are a great option along with a ridge line down the center of the barn roof. Stall walls with bars will also maximize ventilation within the barn.
Feeding for Warmth – Consider increasing forage as temperatures
Stall Size – Horses need to be able to move around freely and lay down in their stalls without fear of getting cast. Most average horses do well in stall sizes of 12x12. Smaller equines can be comfortable in 12x10 or 10x10 stalls. If you have larger horses or a horse that primarily lives in the stall you may want to consider 14’ or 16’ options.
Enrichment – Providing toys, snacks and treats that engage your horse in the stall are a great way to curb boredom that can stem into behavior issues. Horses are social creatures and herd animals by nature. If they can see their neighbors in the barn or hang their head out of the stall, it can help relieve some anxiety for them. Most importantly, your horse still needs to get out and exercised. If you don’t have a place where you can ride or turn out regularly, try hand walking and ground-work exercises.
Stall Floor – Mats are a great option any time of year, but in the
winter having a base under your mats that allows for drainage and helps keep the floor level will make cleaning stalls easier. It is very important to clean stalls thoroughly every day to avoid ammonia odors and help keep the stall dry. Bedding will also add a layer of warmth and absorption under foot. Kiln dried bedding that is 100 percent pine is going to have the best absorbency and stall additives can be used to help control odor.
Fresh Water – Providing plenty of water for your horse is essential. In the winter it is critical that you have a way to keep the water from freezing. A thermal bucket is a great way to keep your water from freezing without needing electricity. Heated buckets or tank heaters can keep water from freezing, but it is important that safety considerations are made when using electrical products in a barn. 34
drop. A shaggy coat or blanket can hide changes in weight, so make sure to check your horse often. Because the stall restricts the natural grazing nature of the horse, slow feed hay nets or stall floor feeders for hay can slow a horse down and mimic grazing. Feeding smaller quantities more frequently is also preferred to a twice daily feeding schedule. Implementing these practices will aid a horse’s digestion and help negate boredom.
Lisa Kiley is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years. She is a proud member of the Cashmans Horse Equipment Team. Cashmans Horse Equipment, located in Delaware, Ohio, has been providing top quality products to the equine and agricultural community for 40 years. They have a commitment to sourcing environmentally conscious merchandise and items made in the U.S.A. Cashmans strives to educate customers and provide products that put safety first so you can enjoy more time with the horses you love. www.cashmans.com
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
December 2019