Frost periods in the stable: routines and risks

Why frost demands extra vigilance

At temperatures below zero, your horse's needs change noticeably. Energy requirements rise by roughly 10 to 15 percent for every 10 degrees the temperature drops below the horse's thermoneutral zone, which is around 5°C. At the same time, the inclination to drink decreases, precisely because cold water is less appealing. This raises the risk of dehydration and indirect issues such as colic. Combine that with limited movement due to frozen paddocks and you have a situation that calls for an adjusted routine. It pays to carry out a fixed daily check and spot any deviations early.

Drinking water: the biggest pitfall in frost

A horse needs 25 to 50 litres of water per day. In frosty conditions, many horses stop drinking when the water is too cold or frozen. Check water troughs at least twice a day and use a heated trough or trough heater where possible. Research shows that horses drink more when water is between 7 and 15°C. Offer lukewarm water alongside roughage, especially after riding. Record in your horse's EquiSight horse profile how much your horse drinks on average, so you can quickly spot when intake drops.

Adjusting roughage and energy intake

Digesting hay generates heat from within: an extra portion of roughage is literally cheap heating. Increase the hay ration by 10 to 20 percent during prolonged frost and spread it across at least three moments per day so the horse has continuous access to feed and gut motility is maintained. Be careful about drastically increasing concentrate feed — this raises the risk of laminitis and colic. Use the EquiCoach in the app to quickly request feeding advice tailored to your horse's weight and activity level.

Safety in the stable and yard checklist

• Spread sand or sawdust on frozen paths and lanes before bringing the horses outside
• Check hooves daily: snowballs in hooves cause slipping — consider snow pads or vaseline under the hoof
• Inspect stable doors and ventilation hatches: draughts are more harmful than cold itself
• Do not use ice-control products (salt) directly around water troughs — horses avoid salty water
• Check rugs daily for getting wet or slipping; a wet rug cools the horse down faster than no rug at all

Movement and training during frost

Horses that are stabled for several days become more restless and the risk of lymphangitis increases. Lunging on a dry, flat surface is a good alternative when the outdoor arena is frozen. Light work in a covered arena is fine, but make sure the horse warms up sufficiently — at least 10 minutes at walk — before any effort is asked. After riding, allow the horse to cool down completely and only return it to the stable when the coat feels dry. Schedule exercise sessions directly in the EquiSight calendar so you don't miss a single day.

Health signs to check daily

• Appetite: slower eating or leaving roughage may indicate discomfort
• Droppings: fewer or dry droppings may point to a colic risk
• Hooves: higher temperature in the hoof may indicate an inflammatory response
• Breathing: dry stable air increases the risk of respiratory irritation
• Behaviour: excessive stamping or lying down may be a sign of cramp or discomfort

Tracking the frost period in the horse profile

A frost period sometimes lasts just two days, sometimes two weeks. By adding a brief daily note to the horse profile — water intake, feed quantity, exercise, behaviour — you will have a clear picture afterwards if the vet needs to look something up. EquiSight also gives you the option to set reminders for recurring checks, such as checking water troughs or changing rugs. A small effort, a big overview.