Winter Is Coming: 7 Horse-Feeding Mistakes Ontario Owners Should Fix Before the First Hard Freeze

Ontario winter can expose weaknesses in a feeding program that were easy to miss during warmer months.

Pasture changes.

Temperatures fall.

Water freezes.

Some horses lose condition faster than expected.

Senior horses may have a harder time maintaining weight.

And the answer is not automatically “give more grain.”

Canadian equine care guidance states that horses exposed to temperatures below approximately 5°C can require additional feed—particularly forage—to meet maintenance needs. Some horses that cannot maintain appropriate body condition on forage alone may require additional energy-dense feeds. 

Here are seven mistakes worth correcting before the coldest weather arrives.

Waiting until your horse has already lost condition

Winter feeding should begin with body condition—not panic after weight has disappeared.

Evaluate your horse before winter is established.

Consider:

• current body condition; 

• age; 

• workload; 

• forage quality; 

• dental condition; 

• health; 

• shelter; 

• expected winter temperatures. 

  
  

A performance horse, senior horse and easy keeper should not automatically receive identical diets.

Thinking grain creates more warmth than forage

When temperatures drop, forage deserves special attention.

The Canadian equine Code of Practice specifically recommends increasing forage quantity during cold conditions. 

Hay and other appropriate forage sources are therefore central to a winter feeding strategy.

That does not mean concentrates never have a role. Horses unable to maintain appropriate condition on forage alone may require additional feed.

But “cold outside” should not automatically equal “dump extra grain into the bucket.”

Ignoring forage quality

Two bales of hay can look similar and deliver different nutritional value.

If you manage multiple horses or purchase significant quantities, forage analysis can give you much more useful information than guessing.

Consider discussing forage testing and ration balance with an equine nutrition professional when performance, breeding, growth, senior health or weight management is involved.

Changing the ration too quickly

A sudden change because the forecast predicts snow is not a thoughtful winter program.

Major feed changes should normally be introduced gradually.

Planning before winter gives you time to evaluate how the horse responds rather than making several changes simultaneously.

Treating every older horse like a younger horse

Senior horses deserve extra attention.

Difficulty chewing long-stem forage, dental issues, altered workload and difficulty maintaining condition can all affect feeding decisions.

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies currently carries Jones Senior Horse Pellets for mature and older horses as well as other horse-feed options, including Jones 9154 Mid Fat Easy Feed, PowerEdge 618, high-fibre pellets and Masterfeeds Fat 'n' Fibre. 

Product choice should still depend on the individual horse rather than age alone.

Forgetting winter water

Frozen buckets and reduced drinking are management problems, not inconveniences.

Your horse still requires reliable access to appropriate drinking water during winter.

Check buckets, troughs, heaters and water systems regularly.

Do not wait until feeding time to discover the water supply has been frozen for hours.

Buying feed based only on the front of the bag

A good feed decision starts with the horse.

Ask:

What is this horse doing?

Maintenance?

Light work?

Competition?

Growth?

Breeding?

Senior maintenance?

Weight gain?

Then determine where forage falls short and which product appropriately complements the total program.

A simple Ontario winter feeding checklist

Before the first hard freeze:

1. record body condition; 

2. evaluate forage supply; 

3. inspect hay storage; 

4. confirm winter water systems; 

5. assess senior horses separately; 

6. gradually introduce necessary changes; 

7. monitor condition throughout winter. 

Horse feed available in Blenheim, Ontario

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies currently offers horse feeds, alfalfa cubes, high-fibre products, supplements and bedding products for Ontario horse owners. 

Whether you manage one pleasure horse or a larger stable, we can help you compare available feed options based on age, workload and feeding goals.

Call or text: 226-774-0933

FAQs

Do horses need more food during an Ontario winter?

Cold conditions can increase energy requirements. Canadian equine guidance recommends increasing forage during cold temperatures and considering additional feed when a horse cannot maintain body condition on forage alone. 

Should I feed my horse more grain when it is cold?

Not automatically. Begin by evaluating forage, body condition and the complete diet.

What is a good feed for senior horses?

That depends on body condition, teeth, forage intake and health. Senior-specific feeds may be useful for appropriate horses.

Are alfalfa cubes a complete horse diet?

Treat forage products according to their label and the overall ration rather than assuming any single forage product automatically provides a completely balanced diet.

Where can I buy horse feed near Chatham, Ontario?

Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies is located in Blenheim and serves Chatham-Kent and surrounding Ontario communities.