How to Prepare Your Barn (and horse) for Winter

November 01, 2024

Get Your Barn Ready for Winter: A Comprehensive Guide

As you stroll through your local department store, you may notice that decorations and holiday items are starting to appear earlier each year, almost as if they’re on sale year-round! While it’s tough to think about blankets and snowstorms during the fall, now is the perfect time to begin preparing your horse barn for the winter ahead.

With cooler days and fewer insects, fall offers ideal conditions to ensure your barn is set up for the winter months. Just as you prepare your wardrobe and home for the colder season, it’s essential to gear up your horse and their surroundings as well.

Here’s a comprehensive checklist to get your barn ready for winter:

1. Plan ahead for bedding, hay, grain, and supplements

Bedding, Hay, Grain, and Supplements

Depending on your local area, the availability of both bedding supplies and hay can decline dramatically in the middle of Winter. The last thing we ever want is to realize that we are running out of hay, grain, supplements, or bedding supplies right before a big winter storm.

For this reason, we recommend horse owners to store enough hay during the fall season to last until next year’s first cutting. On a similar note, we recommend to stockpile enough bedding to last through winter - or arrange for a supplier to make regular deliveries.

2. Inspect the Barn’s Exterior

Structural Maintenance

Barn infrastructure is crucial in any season, but even more in the colder winter months. Winter weather can instantly turn a minor structural issue into a major problem.

We recommend that you inspect the entire exterior of their barn. Inspect closely for any signs of damage or deterioration including missing shingles, broken barn windows, barn end doors, loose boards, and any issues in insulation. Be sure to complete any required repairs before the winter begins – this way, you can tackle any potential problems before they arise. 

You can learn more about safety considerations in barn design in this article.

Plumbing Check

Lastly, bring in your plumber to provide a thorough inspection of your entire plumbing system including automatic waterers, pumps, spigots, etc. It is crucial to ensure that all plumbing is in working order and properly insulated from the winter’s cooler temperatures and storms.

In addition to internal plumbing, it is prudent to detach, drain, and store all hose systems to prevent them from freezing solid onto the faucets.

3. Check over your tack

Cleaning and Repairs

After heavy use during the spring and summer, your tack is overdue for a thorough cleaning and conditioning. Re-waterproof all turnout blankets.

We also recommend that you have one extra turnout sheet on hand for every size of horse in your barn facility. This is to be proactive in case a turnout blanket gets wet and needs to be replaced temporarily with a warm blanket covered by a turnout sheet. Lastly, be sure to also check to ensure there aren’t any pieces that may require replacement or repairs.

4. Schedule Your Fall Vet Visit

Vaccinations and Checkups

Once the leaves begin to change color, it seems like just about everyone is rushing to schedule fall vaccinations. To avoid the rush, we advise to take time to make your appointment now so that you’re not racing to get an appointment after your veterinarian is all booked.

Note: If you have a senior horse, please remember that leading equine experts recommend two physical exams each year for senior horses. When you schedule your fall vaccinations appointment, be sure to inform your vet that you’d like your senior horse to get a physical exam as well.

5. Declutter and Organize

After a summer full of showing, our tack locker, tack trunks, and overall stalls look like a tornado hit them. While we try our best to stay organized throughout the summer, it is inevitable that there will be some jumbled mess at the end of the show season. We recommend to do some "fall cleaning” and organizing to ensure your kick off fall with all of your gear neat and tidy.

Bonus Tips:

• Check Heating Systems: If you use heating elements in your barn, ensure they are functioning safely and efficiently.
• Emergency Preparedness: Create an emergency kit with essentials such as blankets, first-aid supplies, and extra feed in case of a severe winter storm.
• Review Safety Protocols: Revisit safety measures for handling your horse in icy conditions to prevent slips and falls.

By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure a safe and comfortable environment for your horse throughout the winter season. Let's embrace the beauty of fall, and prepare your barn for the winter months ahead!

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