Horse Care & Feeding
Best Food for Horses Before & After Trail Rides
What and when you feed a horse around a ride matters more than you might think.
Read articleSeasonal Horse Care Through Maryland's Four Seasons
A Year in the Life of a Farm
Seasonal horse care through Maryland's four seasons follows a steady, comforting rhythm, and understanding it deepens any horse lover's appreciation of farm life.
Each season asks something a little different of a caregiver.
Spring
Spring brings shedding winter coats, fresh grass and the start of insect season. Caregivers manage the rich new grass carefully, since too much too fast can upset a horse, and begin fly and pest control.
Summer
Summer care centers on heat, humidity and bugs. Shade, fresh water, fly protection and riding during cooler hours all keep horses comfortable through the warm months.
Fall
Fall is many horse people's favorite season. Cooler air makes for wonderful riding, coats begin to thicken, and caregivers prepare hay supplies and shelter for the months ahead.
Winter
Winter care focuses on warmth and forage. Horses may wear blankets in cold, wet weather, hay becomes especially important, and unfrozen water must always be available.
Care all year round
Some things never change with the season: fresh water, quality forage, daily observation, hoof care and a watchful, caring eye. That steady attention is the heart of good horsekeeping.
How does horse care change with the seasons in Maryland?
Horse care follows the seasons: spring focuses on shedding coats and managing rich new grass, summer on heat and insect protection, fall on preparing hay and shelter, and winter on warmth, forage and unfrozen water. Year-round, horses always need fresh water, quality hay and daily observation.
Key takeaways
- Spring: managing fresh grass and starting pest control.
- Summer: heat, shade, hydration and fly protection.
- Fall: wonderful riding and preparing for winter.
- Winter: warmth, plentiful hay and unfrozen water.
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Frequently Asked Questions
More on this topic, answered simply.
Not necessarily. Many horses do well with shelter, forage and sometimes a blanket rather than being stalled constantly. Run-in stalls and shelters let horses choose. Each farm sets its routine around its horses' needs.
Spring and fall are widely loved for their mild temperatures and comfortable footing. Summer and winter riding are both lovely too, with a little planning around heat and cold.
Horses may wear blankets in cold, wet or windy weather, particularly if they are clipped, older or thin-coated. Many horses with good winter coats and shelter need no blanket at all.
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Read articleBring this to life on the farm
Season by season, thoughtful horse care is the heartbeat of a Maryland farm like ours.
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