8/ DECEMBER 2022 THE RIDER Nutritional Considerations in the Winter Months


healthy horses that are acclimated to their region typically have a LCT of -15°C in northern climates like Ontario. However, not all horses have the same LCT as it varies depending on acclimation time, breed, blanketing, age, health status, forage availability and shelter. For example, the LCT for young horses differs from that of mature horses. The LCT range for growing horses can range from -11 to 0°C. So, what can we do when the tempera- ture drops below the LCT? For horses to be able to regulate


their own body temperature, providing feed that has a high heat increment is cru- cial. Forage is a feed with a high heat in-


The Night Before Christmas


(or How the Timbertrails Ponies Helped Santa and the Deer)


By Marg Kitchen trition@gmail.com.


An Equine Nutrition Blog by Madeline Boast,


MSc. Equine Nutrition The fall is a perfect time to have a


nutritionist evaluate your feeding program. Ensuring your horse is on a balanced diet through the winter can make a significant difference in their well-being. It is also a great time to adjust your horse’s diet slowly prior to show season.


crement because it is fermented in the hindgut. The fermentation of fiber by mi- crobes in the hindgut produces a signifi- cant amount of heat. With this process, the horse can maintain their core body temper- ature.


contribute to warmth the same way forage does. This is because these feedstuffs are digested differently. Although grains pro- vide extra calories, the horse will not pro- duce warmth to the same degree as with forages. Therefore, simply increasing the energy content of their diet is not adequate. It must be done with a high heat increment feed.


which the horse must begin to use excess energy to stay warm. The LCT for mature


horses can seem daunting. Knowing how to best support your horse nutritionally is key. As the temperature drops the horse’s energy requirements change. Their energy requirements increase once the tempera- ture is below their lower critical tempera- ture (LCT). What is a lower critical temperature? The LCT is the temperature in


Entering the winter months with please contact Madeline at balancedbaynu-


test your hay to determine energy content and curate a diet based on the exact nutri- ent needs is the gold standard. Using en- ergy requirements is a great tool to support your horse over the winter and reduce the chance of body condition loss. If you have any further questions,


degree Celsius below the LCT the mature horse needs 2.5% more energy. For young horses, the energy requirements increase by 1.3%. These percentages are based on the recommendations in the National Re- search Council (2007). In conclusion, having a nutritionist


The research tells us that for every


https://doi.org/10.17226/11653. Cymbaluk, N. F., & Christison, G. I. (1990). Environmental effects on ther- moregulation and nutrition of horses. Vet- erinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 6(2), 355-372.


National Research Council. 2007. Nutrient Requirements of Horses: Sixth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies


Press. Increasing grain intake does not


About the author: Madeline Boast is an equine nutritionist that founded an inde- pendent nutrition company Balanced Bay. She has worked with a variety of equids – from miniature ponies to competing thor- oughbreds. Through Balanced Bay she of- fers hay testing, balanced diets, as well as both on-farm and remote nutrition consul- tations. For additional information see www.balancedbay.ca . References:


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‘Twas the night before Christmas, And down on the farm, Not a creature was stirring out in the barn. Old Fly was a-dozing, And Bucky was too; Dreaming of carrying his little buckaroo. “They turned the first barrel. Then second and third; Away down the stretch, they flew like a bird.” A big sigh, a yawn, barely a nicker, Big brown eyes were closed, with not even a flicker. Then suddenly, oh! What a wondrous sight - There, Santa bounded in out of the night! No hooves on the roof-top this cold Christmas Night. Poor Rudolph and brothers had got such a fright. They stood there, a shivering just outside the door. Their sides were a heaving, their eyes large and bright. Up in the night sky, they had run back and forth, Just dodging those jet planes, on their way from the North. In the old days, you see, the air had been clear, Of jet planes and such, nothing to fear. But now, with air travel, so busy and all, The reindeer just couldn’t cope with it all Santa had known that this barn here below, Was a safe place to land, in the wintry snow. The horses awoke now, no more dreams of last summer. They both stretched their necks, they stared from their stalls. There, going right past them, Oh, yes it was Donner! And Blitzen and Rudolph, and all of the rest, There Santa had paused, while stabling his team. He was really impressed by the state of this shelter. He saw all the best of hay and of bedding, The feed tubs all new, Not even a pail was hung up askew. This place was a haven, a home filled with love, With warmth and with comfort and even a dove, High up in the rafters, cooed softly above. The horses awoke, they knew. without being asked, They stepped out real quickly, fine harness to don, Now dash away onward, hither and yon. From barnyard to farmyard, the bells they did jingle, Santa’s nose got all red, and his eyes they did twinkle. More horses joined in then, they rose from their beds, Old Mamie, and Smokey, and Sweet Pea did too, Booger, and Kente Girl, Mighty Mike, Jody Sue, Shimmer, Toney, and Golda Babe, more than a few, Sheza, Frosty and Sox did a fine Hoo Doo too. Ace, Cherry, Two Birs, Carrie and Lady, They all pulled away, at the traces so light, To help out dear Santa, this cold winter night. The Youngsters, they helped, by trampling the snow, Those sled runners, oh my, how fast they did go. As house after house received Santa’s fine gifts, And horse after horse, helped him out in fast shifts. Honey and Twister, and Sassy and Hank, Not even Miss Roman Punch missed a chance at the shank, Mystic Lady, she pranced, and Cody and Sox they did dance, As Cocoa and Penny played a fine prank. Buck, Bandit and Tess, Rosey and Tex, They all helped dear Santa out of his fix. Much later, at dawning, the entire herd, Was gathered below that big old dove bird. Santa had led them in a fine sing along, And now he had thanked them for coming along. The reindeer were hitched back in their own place, Their gratitude shone from each furry face. Old Santa, he left them, with calls of good night! And each stall featured a beautiful sight. Apples, and carrots, and mash, oh so warm, The horses, they rested, so snug in the bam, And soon they were sleeping, no noise on the farm, When off in the distance, that jolly old elf, Called out to the world, in spite of himself, Rest your horses, you riders, this fine Christmas Day, Brush them, and pet them, and let them all play, For next summer, I promise, they’ll all show the way, Round the poles and the barrels, and on down the trail, For I’ve sprinkled some Reindeer dust, on each Horsey tail!


Merry Christmas from everyone at the Timber Trail Western Riders Reprinted from our December 1998 Issue of The Rider


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