Barn in snowy winter weather with two horses in front

Frigid temperatures and winter storms inevitably bring challenges to barn management, daily barn chores, and your efforts to maintain healthy horses. By preparing your barn while temperatures are still warm, you’ll be better equipped for an easier winter.

Here is a checklist of tips for managing a horse barn in cold weather compiled from Dover Saddlery’s own experienced equestrians. We hope you find them helpful!

Prepare to Cope with Water and Electricity Issues

  • Check the functionality of barn hydrants. Leaky hydrants can freeze or break entirely, leaving your barn without water in the worst of weather.
  • Repair or replace leaky hoses or hose fittings. In winter, small leaks can quickly turn into hazardous ice patches on barn floors and walkways.
  • Install foam insulation around water pipes. This economical covering is available at most hardware stores.
  • Install heat tape on hydrants, following manufacturer instructions carefully.
  • Know how to shut off your water source in the event of a frozen or burst pipe.
  • Because horses may refuse very cold water, purchase heated water buckets. These maintain water above freezing and encourage horses to drink. Heated buckets are available in 20-quart and 16-gallon sizes and save you from daily ice removal.
  • If you purchase a submersible water heater, be sure it is intended for livestock drinking water tubs. Note: Some heaters are designed only for bath water and may boil the water.
  • Consider obtaining a heated hose to avoid draining or thawing frozen hoses.
  • For barns with well pumps, loss of electricity means loss of water. Consider purchasing a generator with the capacity to run your pump, and store an ample supply of water containers.
  • Obtain at least one battery-operated lantern for use during power outages. Some lanterns provide enough light to illuminate an entire stall or grain room.
  • Always follow manufacturers’ instructions for electrical devices used around livestock.

Prepare Your Facility and Order Supplies

  • Install indoor and outdoor thermometers to help monitor temperatures for blanketing decisions.
  • Plan for blanketing storage. Add hooks, racks, or blanket bars for drying and changing horse clothing.
  • Remove cobwebs, especially near light fixtures, to reduce fire hazards during longer winter lighting hours.
  • Relocate medications, shampoos, fly sprays, and topical wound care solutions to a temperature-controlled area to prevent freezing.
  • Check gates, latches, and barn door hardware. Ice can make weak hardware fail easily.
  • Ensure stall boards are not allowing cold drafts to blow directly on horses.
  • Tighten electric fencing and check connections. Horses searching for grass in winter may test fences more often.
  • Locate snow shovels, tune up snow blowers or tractors, and arrange for professional snow plowing if needed.
  • Inflate wheelbarrow tires for maximum control on slippery footing.
  • Keep sand and scoops near barn and pasture walkways to improve traction in icy conditions.
  • Consider a pitchfork with metal tines for handling frozen manure in turnout areas.
  • Order enough hay and shavings to last through stormy months.
  • Add a horse vacuum to your winter wish list—useful for removing hair, dust, and dried mud during thaws and mud season.

Ventilation

Ventilation is critical for maintaining a healthy barn environment. Good design ensures that warm, stale air rises out while fresh air is drawn in at ground level. Unfortunately, not all barns were built with ventilation in mind.

Consider these checkpoints:

  • Replace glass in barn windows for winter, but do not seal them with plastic. The ability to open windows on mild days benefits horses and humans alike.
  • Clean hay and shavings storage areas to remove dust, rodent droppings, and nests that contribute to unhealthy air and flammable buildup.
  • Consider products that reduce barn odors while absorbing moisture. Odor-No-More absorbs urine; Bye Bye Odor is a natural microbial spray; Stable Fresh speeds biodegradation with beneficial bacteria.

When Snow and Ice Arrive

Your preparation will make winter management easier, leaving you more time to enjoy riding in snow or watching your horse play in drifts.

  • Monitor local forecasts. Before storms, fill water containers and top off buckets. Stock up on hay, grain, and shavings to avoid delivery interruptions.
  • Encourage water consumption with heated buckets, and provide salt blocks or electrolytes as needed.
  • On mild days, open barn windows and doors to allow air exchange. Fresh air and a blanket are healthier for horses than stale, dusty air.