Tag Archives: spring

Information on caring for your horses or cattle in the spring from Klene Pipe Structures, creator of the Hay Saver Hay Feeder for horses and cattle.

Wrangler Run In Horse Shelters

Preparing Your Horse for Warm Weather

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The temperatures are rising, the sun’s out, and we don’t have to worry about the snow anymore. Spring and summer are on their way! Without proper preparation, warmer weather can lead to dehydration, lethargy, and added stress for your horse. As the weather continues to get nicer, here are some tips and reminders for getting your horse re-acclimated to the warmer temperatures. 

  1. Take it Slow – Your horse just spent several months taking it easy as we waited out the cold winter. The worst thing you can do is jump right back into the saddle (literally) and expect to train as usual. Slowly incorporate more riding time throughout the next few weeks. The heat can be especially fatiguing even without physical activity involved. It is important to monitor your horse to ensure they acclimate to the physical activity and the heat well before increasing riding time. 
  1. Prepare for Bugs – Everyone likes being outside when the weather is nice, including bugs. Besides being annoying, insects can carry diseases and irritate your horses. Make sure to treat outdoor horse shelters and portable shade structures for insects to keep them away. 
  1. Provide Shade – If your horses are outside most of the day, provide some form of shade for them to escape the hot sun. Run-in shelters and portable shade structures are great ways to offer shade for your horses away from the barn. Run-in shelters are also great at keeping your horses dry during spring showers and summer rain.    
  1. Electrolytes and Cold Water – Make sure you are changing their water frequently as it can warm easily in the sun. Not only do horses not like warm water, but it can also pose health concerns if left for too long. Make sure you provide them with cool drinking water that is easily accessible. Drinking water isn’t enough to maintain healthy horses when the temperatures are hot. Make sure to provide a source of electrolytes, too, like a salt block for added minerals.   

Even if you follow all these tips, make sure to closely monitor your horses in hot weather as heat stroke can sneak up on them. If you are concerned that your horse could be suffering from heat-related issues, bring your horse into a cooler environment and contact your vet. 

Horse care in spring and summer

Preparing Your Horse for Spring & Summer

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Winter is finally (almost) behind us and it’s time to make sure your horse is ready for the warmer weather that’s on the way. Before you let your horse roam free underneath the spring sun, consider the following to keep them comfortable and protected for the next few months: 

Preparing your horse for spring 

Spring is here – is your horse ready? Since colder temperatures are finally on their way out, your horse will be able to comfortably run free and enjoy the warm and refreshing breeze of spring. Before you can both take advantage of this nice weather, you might want to consider some of the following to help make the transition enjoyable for your horse(s). 

  • Call your veterinarian – It’s a good idea to give your vet a call prior to any changing of the seasons just to make sure everything is up-to-date. You can go over vaccination records and check to see if your horse is due for any annual or biannual shots. If needed, schedule these appointments well in advance so your horse can get active and enjoy the weather! 
  • Slowly adjust to the heat and humidity – Since your horses likely had a reduced riding schedule during the colder winter months, it’s important to help rebuild their stamina prior to the warmer weather conditions. Take some time and develop a careful conditioning plan and take it one day at a time. 

Preparing your horse for summer 

For some people, summer means relaxing by the pool, vacations, and beach days. For horse owners, however, it means bugs, exhaustion, and much longer days. Make sure you’re aware of how to properly care for your horse during the hotter temperatures, as well. 

  • Insect proof everything – Insects can be annoying, sure, but they can also lead to serious health options for your horses. Make sure you’re properly treating run-in shelters, square and round bale feeders, and anywhere else your horse spends time. 
  • Provide adequate shade from the sun – The best method for preventing the sun-bleaching of your horse’s coat is to minimize sun exposure. Do your best to stable your horse during the hours when the sun is the hottest. Instead, let them out and get their exercise in during the early morning and evening hours.   

Feeding your horse with square or round bale feeders 

During every season – rain or shine – make sure you’re providing your horse with quality hay and clean water. Whether you’re using legumes to provide higher protein and calcium content or grass hay for digestion help, round bale feeders are great for ensuring horses are well-fed and getting enough necessary nutrients. 

Keep your horses comfortable, energized, and well-fed during the spring and summer months. Contact us today and ask about our quality hay feeders for horses!

H8 Hay Feeder in Use

Horse Care in Spring

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It may be warm enough for the snow to have melted, but the springtime is still too damp and cold to jump right into summer practices. This makes spring one of the most tedious seasons to care for your horses, preparing them for the warm months of summer.
Luckily, we’ve put together a short to-do list so you can start preparing for the summer now.

  • Schedule Your Check-Ups
    The spring is the perfect time to schedule your horse’s annual wellness exam. It’s especially important to get them vaccinated for mosquito season as mosquitoes and other insects oftentimes carry preventable diseases.
  • Check Your Fences
    Once the snow and ice melts, you may notice that some things have shifted a bit during the cold weather – like fences for example. Freezing and thawing of the ground can cause fence posts to “heave,” resulting in downed rails, loose mesh or high tensile fences, which no longer have high tension. It’s important to make note of this now so you can tighten any fence posts that may have become loose over the winter.
  • Hay and Grass Intake
    When the first sprouts of grass begin to pop up, it’s common for horses to overindulge in the beginning. To prevent overindulgence, grazing muzzles can help to monitor grass intake. In addition, the use of a hay saver hay feeder can assist in preventing horses from overeating. It’s also important to keep a steady supply of forage for your horses as this is what will help to keep them warm through fermentation. The threat of laminitis due to over consumption is at an all-time high during the early spring.
  • Hoof Care
    Do not neglect regular trimming and resetting of shoes during the winter, even if your horses are not working. Letting horse hooves get overly long increases the chances of them chipping, cracking or other major changes in hoof angles. That’s why it’s important to keep up with hoof care during all seasons.

Summer is only right around the corner, so start gearing up for busy season while you can!