With frigid weather on the way, it’s time to prepare your animals for the winter. To feed your horses correctly, you need to keep track of their nutritional needs. With proper preparation, your horses will stay healthy and strong all season. As Adam, WI’s premier farming co-op, Allied Cooperative is your go-to source for grain, feed, fuel, and everything else you need to maintain a well-functioning farm. The experts explain how to feed your horses well this winter.

5 Feed Tips for Your Horses This Season

1. Keep Your Horses Prepared

The best way to prepare horses for winter is to ensure that they haven’t lost too much weight beforehand. Add feed to their diet before cold weather kicks in, and they’ll have an extra layer of fat to keep warm during winter’s most freezing conditions. 

2. Visit the Veterinarian

Before the worst winter elements arrive, visit the veterinarian. Horses should be dewormed before the cold settles in, killing any parasites that could bury themselves in horses’ thick coats. Pests and parasites make digestion difficult, but deworming will prevent them from popping up.

3. Buy Hay Early

Buy your hay early so that you have a ready supply for the season. If you don’t want to run out in the middle of winter, purchase in bulk. The earlier you buy, the less you’ll pay.

4. Add Corn Oil to Your Grain

Adding corn oil to your grain will help horses who are having difficulty keeping on weight. If you notice weight loss, add about four to eight ounces to each grain-based meal; this will help even the skinniest of horses get the calories they need.

5. Keep the Salt Block Handy

Always have a salt block handy; it’s just as important as hay and grain. Your horses need more than just the nutrients in their daily meal—they should have access to other minerals, as well. Sodium is vital, so keep that salt block well-supplied. 

When you feed your horses well all winter, they’ll be strong, healthy, and ready for spring. For grain, hay, fuel, and all of your other farming needs, turn to the experts at Allied Cooperative. With years of skill and experience, they’ll make sure you have the resources required to keep your animals healthy and your farm functioning smoothly. Visit the website for more information, or call (800) 247-5679 today!