I hope all are surviving the very cold weather and the horses are coping well.
I took some pictures and videos over our snow days with some of the extra things that we do to keep turn out maximised and the horses content.
Frozen fields and solid water troughs make life challenging for owners and horses.
Together with icy walkways and frozen arenas it can be overwhelming to the extent that keeping the horses in stables seems the safest and best option. Indeed when there are severe storms and snow, I would agree.

However, Herbie can only come "in" to the corral and field shelter, never to a stable which triggers a severe allergic respiratory condition within about 24 hours.
I had a look at recent cold weather research and blogged about it on Monday - in fact turned out, appropriately rugged, companions to walk with, shelter and ad lib forage is a healthy option even when it is very cold.
This arrangement works perfectly for him during storms with the gate to the walkway shut and for the two of them with field gates open so that they are not "trapped".
After their saddles and bridles the most indispensable piece of kit is a hay steamer, (Haygain). This changes dusty hay into a soft warm product, removing the dust and killing spores and other allergens. The hay is 3x damper which helps with hydration.
I have good quality locally produced wrapped hay, but this is what we see when loading the steamer:
Before purchasing the steamer Herbie had become reliant on a nebuliser and other supportive respiratory medications and supplements. He has no need for medication and the hydrating and warming effects of newly steamed hay is a tonic for Bertie as well.
The effect on my wallet has repaid the steamer cost many times over and Herbie only ever coughs if he has chosen to hide all night for several nights in the back of his shelter. Even Herbie will take a stroll between rain showers and so this is rarely a problem.

Steamed hay is warming, hydrating and a life saver for horses with respiratory conditions.
Water everywhere but not enough for them to drink!
On really challenging days we concentrate on one large clean completely ice free drinking station. Ideally, I like 2 water points per group of 2 horses/donkeys but with frozen underground water pipes and metal troughs with inches of ice on top, I lose the plot...
If only I had been a better physics student, I might have realised earlier but.....
Completely clearing the ice, scrubbing the plastic water

trough and then refilling with the addition of 2 kettles of boiling water and apple pieces significantly improves the icing up over many hours and makes drinking more palatable.
Boredom - so having chased about the yard, filling the HayGain yet again, adding hay nets to the shelter as well as to the field feeders, scrubbing water troughs cutting up apple pieces and this is before we start on all that pooh - I am certainly not bored but with the ground a bright shimmering white and as hard as concrete are they?
This year I gained a certification in equine psychology where so many concepts came into sharp relief. Horses do not experience boredom in quite the same way as we do. If we have left our journal behind and can't write or paint or there is no piano to play or novel to read we may be "bored". Horses do not do any of these higher level activities. However, they are sentient beings, they need to feel safe and to socialise and their relationships are nuanced and important. They have a need to move, to graze and explore. Denied these activities, they may become bored and dull, or stressed and even angry. All sorts of undesirable behaviour may result.
A stable, a tiny muddy field with no companions or the whole area frozen solid and slippery may have a similar effect.
Horses that are frustrated and showing signs of stress are more likely to get injured and ill.

Is it realistic to prevent this? No not wholly, but small changes can make a huge difference to the horse. So
Can you walk out in hand and allow grazing or browse a little?
We have designated a small paddock as a "play" paddock with scratching posts, salt licks and poles on the ground, there are different feeding stations including a matted one on a slope. This used to be called the "hospital" paddock and used for an old horse - but yes it was "boring". Repurposed, it is now used more often and by moving things around it provides a changing environment for the horses.
When the summer paddock dries out after a cold snap or frost we turn out in there to provide a change of scene and additional browsing as there are large hedges.
For ridden horses, hire an indoor arena and walk over poles or practice some suppling exercises. It doesn't need to be an expensive coaching session or clinic.
Use a treat ball, every few days with different ingredients inside, small pieces of fruit, carrot or commercial treats. We move ours between the horses and the donkeys.

Need help managing your horse's behaviour or worried that they are becoming stiff in all the cold, drop me a WhatsApp or call on 07885 470670
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