Tips and tricks for the winter
The days are getting shorter, it gets uncomfortable outside. Winter is approaching and many a stable community has already asked its members to help with the annual winter service. This is a must for any facility to be well prepared for ice and snow. We have summarized the most important tips for
Winterize the stable
As temperatures drop, we tend to keep windows and doors closed. However, this should not apply to the stable: fresh air is very important for the sensitive horse leash, especially in the time when the grazing season is over. Even cold weather does not hurt the horses: those who are shorn, defy cold temperatures thanks to a warm winter blanket, and those with winter fur have no problems with freezing temperatures anyway.
Up to -20 ° C, our horses are perfectly equipped against the cold - by the way, warm-blooded animals, Nordic races such as Icelanders are still cold-resistant. The horse has an extremely good thermal insulation: While the skin can cool to almost 0 ° C, it forms together with the subcutaneous fat tissue an insulating layer for the body. In the coat of hair air is trapped, which also protects the body from the cold. Only from -15 ° C does a healthy horse need extra energy to maintain body temperature. This requirement can be met easily with an additional ration roughage.
Well equipped up to -15 degrees
The weather is often not caused by the coughing of a horse in the winter, on the contrary: the fact that many stables are brought to a comfortable temperature for humans, the horse on the pasture, as soon as it leaves the stable or to spend on the paddock or to work in the much colder indoor riding arena, differences in temperature and humidity that cause him far more trouble than the actual outside temperatures.
As an escape animal, the horse is equipped with a very powerful respiratory system and a large lung volume, which is particularly sensitive to poor air conditions. Harmful, as toxic, are in particular the gases carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and methane, which are caused by the respiration of the horse as well as by bacterial decomposition of urine and feces and irritate the respiratory tract. Stable hygiene is therefore important - just as important is the fresh air. Another problem with too little ventilation: an increase in humidity. If it is too high, pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites multiply. Also condensation on the walls can be the result: ideal prerequisite for the formation of molds,
Air in the stable
If a stable temperature prevails in the stable, as outside, the horses can breathe easier. However, the owners of the stables have to face the next challenge: How can the water pipes be protected from frost? Meanwhile, the market offers several solutions to this problem. The line can be specially insulated to withstand cold temperatures. It is also possible to heat the pipes and the drinkers.
Next problem: the use of the washing area. Even if the water is still flowing, it quickly freezes on the floor again. To prevent sliding, sand is often used to cover the ice. Even more effective is the use of the salt substitute magnesium chloride, which freezes only from -33 ° C, but in any case provides up to - 10 ° C good antifreeze. The advantage of conventional road salt: It is considered to be harmless to health and does not attack the sensitive horn of the hooves.
Even frozen access to the pastures or the hall can be easily exposed with the help of magnesium chloride - however, as soon as a new layer of ice forms, it must be re-strewn. Slippery areas in black ice can also protect floor mats. Particularly recommendable, for example for paddock boxes, are perforated plates, which are filled with sand. Also water-permeable rubber mats are suitable - they ensure that the ice breaks as soon as the horse enters the mat.
Winterfest the riding hall
Magnesium chloride is also the magic word when it comes to frost-free riding surfaces. It freezes only from -33 ° C and found in potash deposits as "carnallite" or in seawater. The decisive difference to salt: It is considered harmless to health and is also used in the food industry, for example as a flavor enhancer. In hard coal mining, it is used as a dust binder. The magnesium chloride binds the water and protects the floor from frost. Another plus: Compared to "real" salt, magnesium chloride does not attack the sensitive horn of the hooves. 400 to 500 kilograms are used as a guideline, which is needed for a 20 x 40 meter riding track to effectively protect them from ground frost.
The magnesium chloride should be distributed on the hall floor before the first ground frost and act for ten hours, then the floor is pulled smooth - then it can be safely used again. The material retains its effect over several months. In the outdoor area, it may also be necessary to re-sprinkle, after which a longer rainy season should follow, as the material is rinsed out. Incidentally, magnesium chloride is also ideal for allergy sufferers: it binds the dust by covering the floor with a damp layer. In addition, it can also be safely used to defrost frozen roads: thanks to its convincing thawing effect, road-blending mixes also contain around 30 percent magnesium chloride. However, here too, as with conventional salt,
Magnesium chloride keeps the soil loose
Another option: Arpolith, a tan granulate consisting of rock flour, silicates and minerals that is completely biodegradable. According to the manufacturer, it absorbs up to 30 times its own weight in moisture due to swelling. By swelling and shrinking of the granules, the soil is additionally loosened and thus slip-proof and elastic. A secret formula to which the Spanish Riding School in Vienna swears. The natural soil conditioner can be easily incorporated into existing areas: For this purpose, about 200 to 300 grams of granules are applied by hand or with a fertilizer spreader depending on the thickness of the wear layer on the square meter and incorporated with rake, cultivator, cultivator or Reitbahnplaner.
In general, even when selecting the hall floor, stable operators should pay attention to their winter stability. There are now a variety of materials on the market, which are from the beginning to a certain extent frost-proof. Special sand mixtures, wood chips and carpet flakes are included.
Watch for cracks
Before winter, especially in older systems, the roof and roof of the car should be closely examined. Are there dilapidated places or cracks? In particular, when there are boxes right next to the hall and the air has hardly any opportunities to exchange views, sweat quickly forms. Problem: If all doors and windows are closed at night, air humidity accumulates in the building even in sub-zero temperatures. When the doors are reopened the next morning, it not only escapes outside, but also into the riding hall, where condensation water settles on the wood.
This applies to both the ceiling and the supporting posts. Therefore, especially in winter, the supporting elements should be constantly checked. Draws water into the wood and then freezes, small cracks can occur which may continue to expand with each subsequent exposure to moisture and subsequent low temperatures until the entire support structure becomes unstable. And even those who own a steel construction have their own: here, too, cracks can appear that need to be found in time.
Another part of the traditional "Thoroughfare for winter riding" service was the emptying of the irrigation system, should the pipes not be specially insulated. There is still water in the pipes, it expands when freezing and brings the pipes to bursting - not only annoying, but life threatening for humans and animals, they should be at the time in the square.
Winterize the trailer
Not only stable and hall, but also the trailer should be checked again before the cold season. Here a thorough cleaning is recommended, which can be used at the same time to check the floor for small cracks, especially in the transition to the walls. As with the hall construction, water can enter here, expand at minus temperatures and make the soil unstable. Optimally, the trailer is under a roof or a tarpaulin in winter - this is not possible, it should be a little inclined, so that rainwater can drain better.
To protect the tires, the wheels can be jacked up. Again, it is worth taking a closer look: Are the tires still in good shape, or are there small cracks? If the trailer is also used in winter, it should be cleaned regularly.
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