Horses adapt well to winter weather, but they require extra attention when the temperatures dip low and are accompanied by wet and windy conditions. | Photo: iStock

The 2018-2019 winter has served up roller coaster temperatures and record precipitation in Kentucky. Our equine friends are quite adaptive to these variations, but when the temperatures dip low and are accompanied by wet and windy conditions, horse owners must provide extra care to help animals cope and thrive.

“Horses have three basic needs—shelter, feed, and water,” said Bob Coleman, PhD, horse specialist for the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “You can easily manage horses outside, but you’ll have to provide a few creature comforts.”

Shelter should provide protection from the wind and the different forms of precipitation Kentucky usually receives in winter, such as freezing rain, sleet, snow, and ice. Coleman said horses’ hair coats can effectively protecting them from cold temperatures, but they stand up less to wind and wet conditions