Vintage Equine First Aid

02/22/2026

❄️ Winter management goes beyond blanketing and snow removal. Cold weather changes how a horse’s body functions, how much energy they burn, how they drink, and even how their digestive system moves.

When temperatures drop, horses rely more heavily on forage fermentation to generate internal heat. At the same time, water intake often declines, movement may decrease due to footing, and calorie needs increase. This combination creates the perfect storm for winter weight loss, stiffness, and colic if not managed carefully.

Winter also brings subtle challenges that are easy to overlook. Frozen ground can alter movement patterns and strain soft tissues. Packed snow and wet conditions can affect hoof integrity.

Proactive winter care means monitoring body condition regularly, paying close attention to hydration, maintaining safe footing, and adjusting feeding programs before problems arise rather than after.

A little extra attention during the colder months can prevent costly and stressful emergencies later.

Learn more about winter horse management:

https://madbarn.com/winter-safety-for-boarded-horses/
https://madbarn.com/training-horses-in-winter/
https://madbarn.com/feed-horse-in-winter/

02/18/2026

Source: Equine, PhD

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞?

I have seen statements on this subject floating around social media and I felt it was time to step in and set the record straight!

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞.

For as long as I can remember, this practice has been taboo, you just shouldn’t do it. However, the University of Kentucky came out with an extension publication a few years back on why this generalization is false and I want to share that information with you along with some of my own relevant research.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐝?

The thought here is that by blanketing a wet horse, you trap the cold water next to their skin, which will actually make them colder. And if this actually happened, I would agree that this practice would be detrimental. However, if you have ever blanketed a wet horse with a blanket that has fill or added insulation, you know that within a matter of hours your horse will be warm and dry again.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐲?

Well the fill in the blanket will wick away and absorb the moisture and the body heat from the horse will help it evaporate.

𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

The moisture or humidity underneath the blanket could increase the risk of skin conditions or rain rot. As a result, you should change out the blanket as soon as you can to allow the blanket to adequately dry.

Also, if you use a sheet without fill, there is no insulation to absorb the moisture and this practice COULD be problematic. I found this to be true even for a dry horse. Two winters ago I performed research and placed temperature and humidity sensors underneath blankets of different weights including sheets with no fill. During the winter, I found that while the temperature under the sheet was warmer than the environment, the humidity under a rain sheet was far greater than the humidity under medium or heavy weight blankets as there wasn’t any fill to absorb the moisture. This is problematic because when high humidity occurs alongside cold temperatures, it can feel much colder, as humid air conducts heat away from the body faster than dry air. These results demonstrate the value fill can add to a blanket - not only to provide insulation but also to regulate humidity. Based on these factors, I would not recommend blanketing a cold, wet horse with a rain sheet.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Blanketing a dry horse is the gold standard. And if you are able to dry off your horse before you blanket, please do so. However, we know this isn’t always feasible, especially for those who don’t live with their horses or have to deal with unpredictable weather. And in those scenarios, blanketing a horse with a blanket that has fill is a much better option than letting a cold, wet horse shiver.

Cheers!
Dr. DeBoer

01/14/2026

Thrush

01/08/2026

Source: American Association of Equine Practicioners

Even though the topic of after-hours and emergency care is important year-round, we wanted to offer this reminder as we approach the holidays.

Though we wish our horse doctors could be there for our equine friends in any emergency, the reality is that our horses' primary veterinarian cannot be available 24/7 and still juggle the needs of their own personal lives, health and happiness.

The most significant pain point for many veterinarians is caring for their clients during regular business hours and then also being on call for emergencies after hours. For single-doctor or small practices, this traditionally has been the case most nights of the week.

However, private veterinary practices and veterinary schools have more recently focused on developing new models for emergency care which ease the strain on individual practitioners. This includes the growth of emergency cooperatives where two or more practices in a geographic area work together to share after-hours care, as well as more emergency-only practices and the use of tele-triage services to address client concerns after normal business hours.

As equine veterinarians reevaluate what after-hours care looks like for their practices, the support of their clients is critical to creating a balance that works for both parties. If your horse doctor talks with you about changes in how after-hours care is delivered, we hope you’ll welcome the adjustments. This evolution of emergency care must take place in order for equine veterinarians to avoid burnout and continue to be at their best to treat all of your equine friends.

This is why taking an equine emergency first aid course is so important!

Contact us for more information on our courses.

Information and photo credit to American Association of Equine Practitioners

01/08/2026

Great information to know
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01/04/2026

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

12/21/2025

Happy Winter Solstice
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12/18/2025

12/13/2025

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