Hello Again!

It's time to start thinking about winter. I know, I know. The leaves haven't even started turning. But the time to start planning your winter feeding program is now, not after the first killing frost.

The best heat source for your horse is extra hay. During the cold weather, it's best to increase the amount of hay, not concentrated feeds. Hay is digested in the cecum and colon which results in heat production by bacterial fermentation.

Make sure your hay supplier can meet your needs. It's always good to have a backup, too. You never know.

It's also a good idea to squeeze in one last dental checkup. It's important that your horse be able grind food properly and get the most nutrition and energy out of her feed during the cold weather.

Visit our site for more information on choosing quality horse hay and testing horse hay.

When you're shopping for bags of feed, be aware that the ingredients in the bag may change from bag to bag. If your horse is sensitive to changes in feed, look for feed bags that have the ingredients printed right on the bag.

If you buy feed with a tear off tag, keep the tag to compare to the next bag. Depending on market conditions, ingredients may change. You'll still be getting a good quality, balanced product but if your horse has specific dietary needs or a sensitive stomach, a change in ingredients could cause upset.

Happy riding!

The Practical Horsekeepers

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