Preparing Your Horse Property and Farm For Winter
Autumn is a wonderful time of year to go riding, enjoy the colors of the season as well as the ideal temperatures and NO flies or insects to deal with. This time of year is when you should take advantage of the nice weather to also prepare your farm or horse property for the brutal and cold winter months. There are several things that should be done to make winter a little easier and more enjoyable for both you and your horses.
1. Test the water heaters. One of the biggest headaches dsuring the freezing temperatures is trying to break the ice in the water buckets and the water trough while the wind is howling with wind chill factors below zero. Not a good feeling. (At this point you wish you didn't have your horses on your property.) The best way to prepare is to check the water heaters and heated water buckets now. Turn the water heaters on and check the water temperature. Watch to be sure the horses are drinking the water normally. If they are not, check to see if there may be a voltage problem.
2. Insulate water pipes and spigots. In addition to the water heaters, it is a good idea to insulate the water pipes and water spigots to keep them from freezing during the sub-freezing temperatures. Wrapping heat tape around the pipes and spigots will also help. The last thing you want to do is haul buckets of water from the house to the barn in the cold.
3. Protect medications and supplements. Medications and supplements usually are required to be kept at certain temperatures. Many cannot withstand cold temperatures and are useless when frozen. This is also a good time to go through and check expiration dates, replacing any that have expired.
4. Inspect roofs and building structures. Check the building structures and roofs housing animals for any defects. Make the repairs to ensure they are safe. If the structure has any weakness, the heavy weight from the ice and snow may collapse the building, possibly injuring (or worse) the humans, horses and animals inside.
5. Clean out the gutters and drainage ditches. Any debris that has accumulated in these areas wil clog water drainage causing rain and snow to back up onto the roofs and along foundations. Whe n water pools and refreezes, it can create ice dams and cause structural damage to the buildings.
6. Insulate hand tools. Place foam insulation on handles of your hand tools, wheel barrows, rakes, etc. This will prevent frost and help protect your hands. Wrap duct tape around the insulation to help keep it in place when in use.
7. Stock up on hay, feed and supplies. It is a good idea to stock up on these items ahead of time. Once the snow and ice hit, it will make it very difficult to have these items delivered or picked up. Hay supplies tend to be plentiful in the fall more than in the middle of winter, at which time many farmers have already sold most of their inventory. Plus, whatever hay you may be able to find, it will cost at least double, if not more, because of high demand and short supplies.
8. Check the fence line and gates. It is so important to be sure all the fencing and gates are in good repair. If there is a weak area, or an open area, the horses will find it and end up leaving the safety of their turnout. You don't want to go searching for horses in the middle of a snowstorm.
9. Service pwer equipment. Check out all your power equipment such as your tractor, snow blower, to ensure they are in good working condition. This is also a good time to do the oil changes, replace filters, gaskets, belts, check tires and replace if needed, etc. While you are at it, it would be a good idea to get extras of belts, hoses, clamps, anti-freeze, any item that would be needed to make any emergency repairs.
10. Make sure the elctrical is in good working order as well as the lights. Electricity will be used much more during these cold months and with the shorter days and longer nights, lights will get more use. Make sure the electrical switches are working properly as well as outlets. Keep extra light bulbs on hand when the burned out ones need replacing.
11. Stock up on winter weather supplies. We all know when the weather forecast calls for snow and/or ice, the stores run out very quickly. Stock up on shovels, scrapers, deicers and any winter hand tools, as well as salt, sand, ash, non-clumping cat litter, Remember that salt is great at melting ice, but will kill vegetation and is harmful to animal paws.
11. Prepare your horses feet. Horse shoes can be like ice skates on the slippery winter footing. The snow also tends to clump inside the shoes as ice balls. This is not healthy for the horses legs The shoes can be pulled for the winter months, or special shoes put on with snow pads to keep from having the snow and ice clump within the botton of the hoof.
12. Adjust airflow within the barn. We as humans like to have our homes well insulated and closed up to keep the warmth in. Barns, on the other hand, should have a constant airflow, but not drafty. Check the air circulation in each stall, making sure there are no bone-chilling drafts. If the barns are closed up, it can get dusty, stuffy, and odors overwhelming, causing possible respiratory problems for the horses.
Winter weather can catch you off guard. Prepare for it ahead so that you and your horses can enjoy and relax during these months.
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