Winter comes early here at my ranch in the Colorado mountains; already low temps are dipping into the 30s. The horses are starting to get fuzzy and I find myself preparing the barn for the long months ahead. At 8,000 feet elevation, winter is not something we take lightly. With heavy snow, below-zero nights, and winds that cut like a knife, proper preparation is essential—for both horse and human. Whether you live in a colder climate like mine or somewhere with milder winters, now is the time to make sure your horse and barn are ready for the change of season.

Horse Care: Building Resilience for Winter

Your horse’s own body is its first line of defense against the cold. Allowing your horse to grow a full, natural winter coat provides excellent insulation. Use blankets only when necessary—such as with older horses, hard keepers, or those clipped for riding.

• Conditioning: Keep your horse in regular exercise as long as footing and weather allow. A fit horse tolerates cold far better than one that’s out of shape. Learn about Body Condition Scoring and keep your horse at a healthy weight.
• Hoof Care: Don’t slack on farrier visits in the winter. Hooves can grow more slowly, but cracks and chips still happen. We pull shoes early enough in the fall so that their feet can toughen-up before the ground freezes. Barefoot, they have better traction in the snow and ice and the hoof wall grows stronger. Consider traction devices or hoof boots if you’ll be riding on icy ground.
• Feeding: Horses generate heat through digestion. Good-quality forage should be the cornerstone of their winter diet. We feed low-protein grass hay and we increase hay rations during the coldest months so that they always have hay in front of them.

Blanketing Decisions

Blanketing is one of the most debated winter topics. A healthy, unclipped horse with shelter and plenty of forage generally does not need a cover. However, horses that are older, underweight, or clipped for training may require extra protection. If you blanket, check daily for rubs, shifting, or dampness. A wet horse under a blanket can get chilled faster than one without.

Barn and Pasture Preparation

Your barn and pastures should be winter-ready, well before the first storm blows in.

• Shelter: Ensure your horses have access to a dry, windbreak area—whether a run-in shed or barn stall. Check roofs, doors, and fencing for repairs before the snow arrives.
• Water Supply: Keeping unfrozen water for the horses is one of the greatest challenges. We find our horses drink more from the heated water buckets, which keep the water warm, compared to outside temps. Install tank heaters or automatic waterers with freeze protection and always have a backup plan if the power goes out. We have strict rules about fully draining hoses after each use!
• Feed Storage: Stockpile enough hay and bedding to last through storms when delivery may not be possible. We buy an entire year’s worth of hay this time of year, to make sure we have plenty of hay through the winter. Store it in a dry, well-ventilated place. Use caution when tarping hay—one hole can cause a funnel of water into the stack and spoil it. Hay tarps are expensive but hold up better.
• Ventilation: A tightly closed barn may feel warm, but poor airflow causes respiratory issues. Make sure there’s good ventilation while keeping drafts off the horses. Research indicates that horses, when given a choice, will avoid poorly ventilated shelters, even in bad weather.

Safety and Daily Routines

Winter weather can make daily horse chores more challenging, so think ahead:

• Keep pathways to the barn and paddocks clear of ice and snow.
• Store extra supplies (grain, shavings, medications, first aid items) so you aren’t caught short during a blizzard.
• Review your emergency plan—especially if you live in an area prone to power outages or extreme weather. Being able to provide water for our horses in a power outage is the main reason why we installed a backup generator at our farm.

Embracing Winter with Your Horse

Winter can feel long, but it doesn’t have to be dreary. Groundwork, liberty play, and even short rides on safe footing help keep your horse engaged and your partnership strong. This is also a great season to focus on your horsemanship skills from the ground, preparing for an even better riding season when spring arrives.

Living with horses at high altitude in Colorado has taught me that preparation is key. When the snow flies and the wind howls, I want to know my horses are safe, warm, and healthy. With some forethought and planning, winter can be a season of peace and quiet enjoyment in the barn.

Enjoy this video of Tomcat, experiencing snow for the first time in his life.

This was Tomcat’s first encounter with snow, after living his previous life in Georgia, then arriving at our ranch in December of 2023. He was decidedly unimpressed at first, but then he became intrigued with the snow.