How Cold Is Too Cold For Horses

With temperatures dropping as we head into the dark winter months, we explore how cold is too cold for horses and share the lifestyle factors that can impact how well your horse copes in cooler weather.

How Cold is Too Cold for a Horse Without a Blanket?

When it comes to keeping horses comfortable during winter, understanding their physical adaptations to cold weather is crucial. Horses are remarkably resilient creatures, but there are thresholds below which they may become at risk for health issues in the colder months.

The Temperature Threshold

So, at what temperature do horses feel cold? Generally, horses can tolerate temperatures down to about 0°F (-18°C) when they are in good health, adequately fed, and have a thick winter hair coat. As a rule of thumb, your horse’s coat provides natural insulation, and if you can acclimatise your horse to colder weather gradually, they are better equipped to handle low temperatures.

However, when temperatures drop below 20°F (-6°C), especially in conjunction with wet or windy conditions, there is a critical temperature with an increased risk of hypothermia and other health issues. In extreme cold, the wind chill can exacerbate these conditions, making it feel much colder than the actual temperature. For horses without blankets and rugs, the dark winter months offer a combination of dampness and a strong breeze, which can significantly lower the temperature threshold for safe exposure.

Factors Influencing Cold Tolerance

It’s important to note that individual factors can influence a horse’s tolerance to cold conditions. Here are a few considerations to note in your horse health care and keep your horses warm during winter;

1. Breed: Some breeds, particularly those that have evolved in cold climates (like the Norwegian Fjord), possess thicker natural winter coats and more body fat, which enhance their ability to withstand lower temperatures. On the other hand, lighter breeds or those with naturally fine coats may struggle more in harsh winter conditions.
2. Conditioning: Domestic horses acclimatised to colder weather through gradual exposure tend to fare better than those abruptly introduced to cold environments. A horse living in a warmer climate may require time to develop a thicker coat and adjust its metabolism for extreme temperatures. Horses that feel the cold may benefit from wearing a quarter sheet when riding during the cold winter. Our very first sponsored rider Victoria Bax (RoR) commented on her horses keeping their condition during winter after she put them on Aloeride, other users have made exactly the same observation since.
3. Age: Younger foals and more mature horses may be less able to cope with cold. Foals lack the complete insulation of a mature coat, while older horses may experience a decline in their overall health and thus have a decreased tolerance to cold. It’s essential to keep your horse comfortable and dry in wet weather. The Veteran Horse Society tried the Aloeride and their findings were very positive.
4. Health Status: Healthy horses have a greater coping mechanism in the cold months, but adult horses with preexisting health issues, such as metabolic conditions, respiratory issues, or being underweight, or arthritic horses may be less capable of maintaining their body temperature. Owners must monitor their adult horses closely if they have health concerns and respiratory health, especially in colder weather.
5. Shelter Availability: Access to proper shelter can significantly impact a horse’s ability to cope with cold weather. Sturdy barns or windbreaks can protect from biting winds, rain, and snow and help keep horses warm. Horses should have a safe, dry place or barn at night to retreat to when the temperatures drop. If natural shelter isn’t available, consider investing in portable shelters or windbreaks to safeguard your horses from harsh conditions.
6. Nutrition: Proper nutrition is vital to an adult horse’s ability to withstand cold temperatures. Horses require extra energy for maximum horse health and to maintain their body heat in winter, so their diet may need to be adjusted to include high-quality forage, such as hay or using their feed intake, to meet these increased caloric needs. Ensuring a horse has sufficient food can help it generate the necessary warmth, as digestion produces heat.
7. Hydration: Cold weather can lead to dehydration, particularly in horses that spend time in heated stables or those that drink less water due to freezing temperatures. To help prevent dehydration in your horse this winter, keep an eye on water consumption and provide access to clean, warm water. Dehydrated horses will struggle more with temperature regulation, so monitoring their drinking habits and ensuring they are getting enough fluids is vital. Keep their water sources clear of ice and maintain a high moisture content by feeding warm mashes and soaking hay where possible. Also, ensure you change buckets with fresh water regularly.
8. Hydration – keeping the water in: It may seem odd to talk about heat when the article is about properly cold weather but bear with me. In the tropics you would use salt tablets to make sure that you stay hydrated. It is one force pulling the water out and the other pulling (keeping) the water in. My point is, that very principle happens not only in the tropics… this is how water management in the body works. From Chemistry lessons you will remember osmosis. In your local Pharmacy you may have seen osmotic laxatives, these make the stools salty, this attracts water and stools become softer… You get my drift. However much water you give your horse, if there are not enough electrolytes to make it attractive for H2O to stay in then… water won’t. The in-natural-ratio-to-one-another (!) of Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Chromium, Boron, Phosphorus in Aloeride is a great support mechanism for hydration. Of course these minerals do an awful lot more than keeping the water in 🙂
9. Body Condition: The horse’s body fat reserves play a vital role in handling cold temperatures. Horses with a healthy body condition score are generally better equipped to withstand colder weather because they have extra insulation. In contrast, underweight horses may struggle as they lack the necessary reserves to generate heat efficiently. Regularly assessing your horse’s body condition and ensuring they maintain an appropriate weight is crucial, especially as winter approaches.
10. Coat Quality: Horses have a thicker winter coat in the dark winter months that helps insulate them against the coldand wet conditions. However, not all horses develop the same quality of natural winter coat and clipped horses will have this protection removed. Factors such as breed, genetics, and grooming practices can affect a horse’s coat density and water resistance. For instance, some breeds like the Friesian or Icelandic are naturally equipped with a heavy hair coat that offers greater thermal protection compared to lighter breeds. Regular grooming can improve the quality of the natural coat, promote its natural oils, increase blood flow, and improve its moisture-repellent abilities.

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How Do I Know If My Horse Is Too Cold?

Recognising when a horse is too cold is crucial for maintaining its health and well-being. Cold stress can have immediate and severe effects, so being attuned to your horse’s behaviour and physical condition is essential. Here are several indicators that your horse may be feeling the chill:

1. Body Language: Horses are expressive animals, and their body language can provide valuable insights into their comfort levels. If a horse is shivering, stands with its tail tucked, or seems withdrawn, these can be signs of discomfort from the cold. Additionally, a horse constantly seeking shelter or refusing to move may indicate that it is too cold.
2. Posture: Pay attention to your horse’s posture. When horses are too cold, they often adopt a hunched stance to conserve body heat. They may also stand closely together in a group, creating warmth by sharing body heat.
3. Temperature Check: The ideal temperature of a horse can range between 98.5°F and 101.5°F. A sudden dip in their body temperature may indicate that they are too cold. You can check a horse’s temperature using a digital thermometer.

To Rug Or Not To Rug, That Is The (Big) Question

The horse industry offers plenty of choices at this time of year, promoting warm and cosy winter horse blankets, but whether you choose to rug your horse depends on the individual horse’s needs and the horse owner. Some first-time horse owners will rush out and buy an entire wardrobe for their horse, while more experienced horse owners may choose to limit the number of rugs they own and use to just a few; a cooler rug for when a wet horse has a heavy winter coat and needs drying off after exercise, a stable rug to keep the horse warm at night and a turnout rug to protect in wet weather conditions.

Most horse owners will begin to rug when temperatures reach single digits. However, whether you are a first-time horse owner or have owned horses all your life, considering all the above factors in relation to the individual horse is imperative when deciding whether to rug your horse or not.

Enjoyed This Blog? You Might Like: A Beginners’ Guide To Winter Horse Care