Cold Weather Horse Care Protocols
🐴 Seasonal Blanketing and Weather Transition Protocols at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch
Each barn develops its own set of safety protocols to keep the herd healthy through seasonal weather transitions and cold, wet days.
At Zuma’s Rescue Ranch, we believe that horses who live outdoors 24/7 are generally healthier and happier. However, transition periods—especially fall and spring—require extra care and thoughtful management to help the herd adjust comfortably.
🍂 Early Fall Transition
In early fall, before horses have grown in their full winter coats, we begin light blanketing for those we know get cold easily. The entire herd is blanketed only during extreme cold and wet spells that occur before winter coats have developed.
Coat growth is primarily influenced by daylight length—not temperature. As long as the days remain longer (before the time change), the horses’ coats are still sparse and not equipped to handle wet, cold, or windy weather. During this time, blankets provide crucial protection from the elements.
❄️ Winter Management
Once the days shorten after the time change, thick winter coats begin to grow in. Most of the herd remains comfortable without blankets through much of the fall and winter.
Exceptions include:
Light-colored horses, who may get colder due to lower melanin levels in their skin.
Aged horses, especially those lacking topline muscle mass, who have more difficulty maintaining body heat.
These individuals will wear blankets on particularly cold, wet, or windy days, and during single-digit temperatures.
💪 Younger and Working Horses
Younger, well-muscled horses tend to be the most resilient during temperature fluctuations and usually do not require blankets once their coats have come in.
However, horses in active work year-round that receive trace clips (partial body clips) are an exception. Because clipping removes part of their natural insulation, these horses will need blanketing through late fall and winter to stay warm and comfortable.
