Winter Nutrition & Health Tips for Horses That Turnout on Snow
Grazing without the grass
Updated August 19, 2024
Your horse was designed to spend their days roaming and grazing, thriving on the nutrients found in fresh grass. The benefits of constant grazing are plentiful, but acres of fresh pasture can be hard to come by, especially in the winter. Luckily, there are ways that you can help your horse get the benefits of grazing even when your fields are barren.
Digestive Health Without Turnout
Your horse’s digestive system evolved to rely on a slow, steady intake of complex carbohydrates, like grasses. If they aren't constantly grazing, the risk for ulcers and colic increases.
If your horse can’t have access to fresh pasture due to geographic limitations or health conditions, at least make sure you’re providing plenty of quality hay throughout the day (free choice is ideal, but be sure to check with your veterinarian). We recommend a “slow feed” hay bag or net.
Joint and Hoof Health in the Winter
The constant mobility that comes with grazing is beneficial for both your horse’s joint health and hoof circulation. If you can’t provide acres of turnout in the winter due to inclement weather, try to make sure your horse is getting as much exercise as possible, whether it’s hand walking, turnout in an indoor arena, or a few extra hacks a week from a friend.
Nutritional Needs Without Fresh Grass
Fresh pasture and hay are both forages, but they’re not created equal. Grass contains key nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins A and E, but those nutrients are reduced when it is cut, dried, and stored as hay. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to your horse’s well-being because they help support cellular health and a normal response to inflammation.
If your horse doesn’t graze on fresh pasture year-round, consider supplementing with SmartOmega 3 & E™ Ultra. This formula provides omega 3 fatty acids from flax seed, fish oil, and chia seed, as well as vitamins A and E.
Reasons to Feed Omega 3s
- Limited access to fresh pasture
- Inflammatory health conditions
- High-grain diets