Question

Is it harmful to give my horses an extra scoop or two of feed when it’s especially frigid outside?

Answer

Is it harmful? Maybe, maybe not.

Some horses are sensitive to abrupt changes in the type and amount of concentrates fed. Doubling a 4 lb (1.8 kg) scoop would create a grain meal that is 8 lb (3.6 kg), and tripling it would be 12 lb (5.5 kg). Because of the horse’s small stomach size and its limited ability to process large quantities of concentrates, grain meals should generally be limited to 5 lb (2.2kg) or less.

So, what are you to do?

Without question, the best way to keep your horse warm when it’s cold is to provide free-choice forage. As the forage is fermented in the hindgut, it produces a great deal of energy, which is then used to warm the horse. Choose hay that is appropriate for your horse’s metabolism. If he’s an easy keeper, for instance, select a mid-quality hay that is free of mold, foreign plant material, and dust. If your horse is a hard keeper, choose a hay with greater energy density, like a legume (alfalfa) or legume mix.

A windbreak or shelter will also help the horse stay dry and warm.