Tack Box

a heated bucket or immersible heater to ensure your horse’s water temperature stays above freezing.

• Check all automated waterers daily. Frozen lines, electric short circuits or simple mechanical failure can cause an automatic waterer to run dry, and you may not notice until your horse is dangerously dehydrated. Even though you aren’t dumping and filling buckets, make it a habit to check the function of every automatic waterer on your property every day.

• Mix up some mashes. A warm, wet, soupy mash is an easy way to get some extra water into a horse. Skip the traditional bran, however---its sudden appearance in your horse’s diet can lead to colic. Instead, wet your horse’s usual feed with enough hot water to soften it into a moist mash-like consistency. Feed it once it has cooled slightly but well before it begins to freeze. If your horse isn’t sensitive to sugars, you can add a dollop of applesauce for an extra treat. • Purchase: waterless stain removers and shampoos • Considerations: Efficacy is a primary consideration, so look for a product that gets good consumer reviews for removing tough coat stains without leaving a residue behind. Some products are specifically designed to clean and brighten white markings, so select accordingly if that’s your target area. Formulation is also something to consider: A spray will still wet a horse’s coat slightly, while a truly dry powder shampoo will need to be brushed or vacuumed out thoroughly. • Options: A huge variety of waterless grooming products are available, with various botanical formulations and scents. Many products enhance shine as well as removing stains. • Cost: from about $12 to $30, depending on the brand and size of the product