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horses and snow
people tell me horses shouldnt be turned out in a pasture in the snow because they could run and slip and fall and break a bone. But I see on magaize covers, articles, that horses are out in the snow, some even live outside in the winter, that's why alot of horses need blankets..soo..whats the problem with letting your horse outside in the snow?
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If your horse is barefoot, he should have no problem on snow. If he is shod, he could have a problem with snow packing tightly into a ball in his feet. If it packs into an iceball, he will slip and slide and could hurt himself. Snow is excellent for a horses feet and some farriers recommend putting them out in the snow. My own horses are barefoot and get turned out on snow.
It is always possible that a horse can slip and fall. They can slip on grass and shallow footing, too.
Nevertheless, be careful with a shod horse on snow.
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Well its true that they can slip and fall and injure themselves. But its also true that they can colic from eating snow/drinking ice cold water (because its so cold, it kills the bacteria in the horses stomach and can cause them to colic). You also need to make sure that the water doesn't freeze over so that your horse can drink. You also need to provide your horse with a very warm blanket so it won't freeze.
I think if you are careful and knowledgeable about it, it should be fine. Obviously, you wouldn't want to turn out your horse if the ground is slippery or icy.
~Maria, 17
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To put it this way, the survived in the wild for hundreds of year before being domesticated. They will make it. You do need to bring them into the barn at night, and make sure you have hay and sweet feed for the winter. Also make sure their water doesn't get frozen.
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Growing up I had horses. They can go out in
the snow anytime. Its just important that you
have a barn or other shelter for them to get
in whenever they want to. You need to pasture
them close to home in winter. You also have
to feed them and give them hay in winter.
There is no grass for them to eat. That is
the main reason you don't pasture them in
winter.
It is possible for a horse to fall. However
they are a lot more sure footed than you or
I are.
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