Changing Of The Seasons
No matter what part of the world you live in, the seasons are changing. And if you live in the northern hemisphere, that means Fall will be her in the next few weeks. While many of us are happy about the cooler temperatures, and colors that accompany the change of seasons, we need to start preparing for the seasonal changes for our horses.
The Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a brutally cold winter this year. And I don’t know how accurate they are, but it’s better to plan for it, just in case, don’t you think?
There are things that many horse owners do in the fall and spring for their horses, so I thought it would be a good idea of some of the things I do for my horses when the seasons change. And because we are getting ready for fall in my area, that is what I wanted to share with you here.
Stock Up On Feed
Depending on where you live, it might be easier to stock up on hay and pelleted feed now. If you have the room, get as much hay as you can. Sometimes during the winter, it can be challenging to get hay. And if the weather gets bad, you may not be able to get hay like you normally do. And even though we are still in the end of winter, stocking up on extra hay is never a bad idea.
Hay gets more expensive when there is less of it. And sometimes during the winter it can be very difficult to find. SO stocking up on hay can give you peace of mind, and it’s easier to do while they are still cutting the hay. The same holds true for your pelleted feeds, and bedding too, stocking up on these necessities just makes sense.
Minimize And Organize Your Tack Room
If you have a lot of tack and stuff cluttering up your tack room, now might be a good time to go through what you have. If it doesn’t freeze where you live, it will probably be ok to leave polishes, shampoos, and cleaners out in your barn. But if your tack room isn’t insulated, you might want to gather up all that stuff and store it someplace warmer. A lot of the things we buy for our horses do need to be protected from freezing temperatures.
Get Blankets/Sheets Ready For Cooler Weather
If you blanket your horse over the winter, now is a good time to go through your blankets and sheets. Make sure all straps and hardware is intact. It’s a lot easier to repair those things now and be ready for the cold rather than waiting until you need it and find out the blanket isn’t horse worthy!
So take a few minutes and go through your blankets and make sure they are ready for use. And you may want to make them readily accessible. Sometimes winter can come early with freezing temperatures and winter storms. So if you have your blankets ready to go, all the better!
Make An Appointment With Your Vet
Spring and Fall are very popular times to have horses get their annual checkups, so make plans now and schedule an appointment to have your vet come out and give your horse his checkup.
This is also a great time to go through your first aid kit and make sure you are well stocked with the necessities like:
- Vet wrap
- Electrolyte paste
- Head lamp (with fresh batteries)
- Gloves
- First aid Ointments and creams
- Prescription medications
It’s a good idea to check the expiration dates of everything in your kit, and if your vet gives you prescription medication for your horse, check to see if you have enough, otherwise plan on getting those items refilled when the vet comes out to see your horse.
Replace Light Bulbs, and Check Hoses
Again, if freezing temperatures visit you throughout the winter, now is a good time to check your hoses, and replace them if needed. And also your lightbulbs. I don’t know why, but lightbulbs always seem to go out at the most inopportune times. So I check through mine in the spring and fall. And I like to have a supply of lightbulbs in the barn, just in case!
It’s also a good idea to check your water heaters to make sure they are working correctly. We will typically put the tank heaters in place around the end of September where we live in Colorado, because you never quite know when winter will decide to show up. And by having everything ready to go BEFORE you need it is always a good idea!
Deep Clean The Barn
Maybe I’m odd, but I love doing a deep clean of my stalls, tack and feed rooms too! And the late summer/early fall is an excellent opportunity to get this chore done. Strip out the stalls, and wash the walls! And while you are doing this deep cleaning, check for any loose boards, or anything else your horse may injure himself on. Take care of your barn now to make it easier to deal with when it gets cold. If any fence panels or gates need to be replaced, now would be the optimal time to get it done.
Get Out The Winter Gear
Sadly, for me it’s time to pack away most of the summer stuff, and haul out the winter stuff, not just for my horses but for myself as well. That means bringing up the winter coats, and heavy boots and gloves. And don’t forget the ear warmers, hats, and scarfs along with your thicker riding socks too.
As the days get shorter, the temperature gets lower. And by having all of your winter gear out and ready to go, you will be more prepared for the cold, and possibly be able to stay out with your horse longer, even when it’s cold outside.
Plan For Winter Projects
If you have your horses at home, or even if you board them, you will probably have a little more down time over the winter. So why not work on some projects over the winter? The wintertime is my favorite time to get some new jumps built. And depending on where you live, you might have enough time to build an entire course of jumps. So plan on going to Home Depot, or your local lumber yard and buying some wood that you can turn into jumps!
With some down time in the garage or workshop, you could even make some extra cash by building jumps. Or if you have no interest in making your jumps, you could at least update the jumps you do have by repainting them. Find some interesting designs or patterns, and refresh your jumps!
An Ounce Of Prevention
I am a big-time believer in being prepared in all aspects of mine and my horses lives. By being prepared, you are setting yourself up for success. And we all know that when you have horses, things always happen. So preparing for the unexpected is almost like an insurance policy. And preparing for the change of seasons is no different.
If you have never prepared for the changing seasons, why not give it a try this year? I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is, and you might even look forward to it next year.