A layer of body fat serves as insulation and can also be metabolized as a heat source. Cold weather causes no significant increase in protein requirements. Whether your horse is growing, lactating, working, or inactive, his or her protein requirement will be the same as in warm weather. Unlike protein, however, energy requirements do go up as the temperature falls. This is due to the body s need to metabolize carbohydrates, and to a much lesser degree fats, to maintain constant body temperature.
Most horses see a decrease in activity levels during cold weather.
If these horses are allowed free choice roughage, they will take care of their own needs, up to a point, by eating more. Horses that already have a high energy requirement, such as horses in heavy training or lactating mares, may need the grain portion of their ration stepped up. Thin horses may also need an increase in grain, but when changing grain rations, remember to do so gradually. In nature horses build condition all summer when grazing is lush and enter the cold months in their best possible condition. When we interfere with the horse s ability to store body fat in the warm months, we need to help a little more in the cold months.