November 2003

Prepare Now For Overwintering Livestock

Livestock and horses thrive in winter chills that make us reluctant to leave the house. But they need a little help with the basics.

Fall colors can be beautiful; but like it or not, they also mean winter is on its way. Now's the time to plan on how animals will be overwintered, particularly horses or calves normally kept in pastures.

Like cattle, horses that overwinter outdoors have three basic requirements: feed, water and shelter. Your Southern States retailer can help you meet these needs while saving you time and effort.

By nature, horses are grazing animals and are content to get most, if not all, their nutrition from grass. However, the nutritional value of grass during winter may be less than the animal's needs. This, combined with the need for additional energy to generate body heat, calls for plenty of quality hay, as well as perhaps a high-energy supplement from Southern States to maintain condition.

Movable panels, hay feeders and freeze-proof waterers help improve overwintering management for both horses and cattle.

"Cattle and horses waste hay if you don't use a feeder or hay ring," says Turner Gravitt, the co-op's corporate manager of retail marketing and promotion. "To save hay, it pays to use a good quality feeder."

Southern States offers open-top hay rings, often used for round bales, as well as feeders for both grain and hay. These include feedbunks with hay racks and horse-yard feeders.

Water is also critical during the winter; dehydration in horses can lead to impaction colic.

"Heated waterers work well," says Steve Flora, the co-op's buyer of ag products. "Freedom Fountains are also good."

Shelter is critical, too. Horses and cattle tolerate cold temperatures, but wind and moisture rob heat reserves. Solutions include the co-op's Horseman's Choice modular shelters as well as modular and portable stalls for inside buildings.

Also, mud and moisture can cause bacterial or fungal infections of legs and feet. Fencing or portable panels combined with pine shavings and stall mats help keep animals dry, reducing these problems.