Preparing Your Horse For the Seasons

Depending on the season, we do different think to make ourselves comfortable. In the summer we turn up the A/C to escape the heat. In the winter, we layer up and sip hot chocolate, but what do horses do? At college prep boarding schools, instructors teach students how to prepare horses for hot and cold weather.

Caring for Your Horse During the Summer

The first thing you’ll want to do to prepare your horse for summer is to remember what you’ve learned from college prep boarding schools. Check with your veterinarian about deworming. Depending on the climate in your area, your horse might be due for deworming.

During the summer months, your horse will need to be properly protected from bugs. As part of avoiding bug problems, you will need to trim the horse’s mane. You will need to make sure that your horse has a fly sheet and mask that fits.

With the help of an equestrian nutritionist who has graduated from college and one of the college prep boarding schools, adjust your horse’s diet for the summer. Pasture conditions change during the summer and so does your horse’s metabolism. Make sure your horse gets the nutrients it needs to be healthy during the summer.

Caring for Your Horse During the Winter

During the winter, it is also important to adjust the horse’s diet. Horses burn extra calories to keep warm in the cold, so they are probably going to have to eat a little more than usual. Be careful not to overfeed your horse, you don’t want it to become obese. If you have any questions about a balanced diet for you horse in your particular climate, ask an equestrian nutritionist.

It’s tempting to give your horse a break from exercise during the winter, but resist this temptation. It’s much healthier for horses to maintain a consistent workout schedule. Exercising in the snow and ice can be potentially challenging, so figure out whether your horse will need non-slip shoes in order to perform the exercises.

Depending on your horse and climate, your horse may need blanketing during the winter months. Some horses who are inside more may not need blankets, but if your horse has been recently transported from a warmer climate, blankets may be a good idea.

Being proactive about your horses needs throughout the changing seasons will guarantee your horse’s safety. Consider sending your children to college prep boarding schools to learn how to continue taking care of horses. You and your family will be happier if your horses are happy.

Joshua Valdivia is an academic writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Wasatch Academy. Follow on Twitter.