Winter is an intimidating season for all types of farmers, especially those who care for livestock like horses. If this is your first time surviving the winter with your livestock, you must be prepared. Keep reading to learn how to prepare and get through your first winter as a horse farmer.
Prepare Your Barn
There are lots of ways you can prepare your barn for winter. You’ll need to invest in heated buckets for water so it doesn’t freeze, make sure you have enough hay to get you through the season, and create an emergency plan for inclement weather. It’s also a good idea to get all repairs done before winter hits since the freezing temperatures and frozen ground make it hard to complete improvement projects. If you’ve already done all this and think you’re perfectly prepared, take the time to double-check your checklists and ask for advice from more experienced horse farmers. The last thing you want is to miss something essential and risk your finances or the health of one of your horses.
Get Organized
As mentioned above, it’s best to get all planned improvement projects around the barn done before winter hits. Unfortunately, winter weather often necessities unplanned repairs around your horse farm, so you’ll need to drag your tools and equipment out again. Organize those tools and equipment now, so you don’t have to spend more time than necessary out in the cold looking for something. Make sure to organize your emergency supplies so you can find exactly what you need when you need them.
Buy Adequate Clothing
There are plenty of good winter clothes in the world, but regular winter clothes and farmer-appropriate winter clothes are different. You’ll spend time outside in some of the harshest weather, and you don’t get to change your schedule because of low temperatures or frozen rain. Ensure you have adequate clothing to deal with all that winter offers, such as insulated gloves, boots, and suitable wet weather gear. If you have clothes that you think will work, but you’re not sure, ask a professional or an experienced horse farmer.
Getting through your first winter as a horse farmer is tough, but if you prepare your barn, get organized, and buy adequate clothing, you’ll have no problem making it through the colder months. Make sure to take the time to talk to experienced horse farmers as you prepare for your first winter so that you can know what you’re up against and check that you’ve adequately prepared.
