November 2021 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN November 2021 Page 13 Whether you’re considering new construction or upgrading your existing equestrian facilities, it’s a good idea to do so before winter arrives. King Construction, located in New Holland, PA, is a leader From New Construction to Upgrades, King Gets You Ready For Winter in the design, construction and restoration of beautiful equestrian facilities. With over 42 years of experience in custom design and construction, King Construction can make your dreams come true while reflecting your budget and taste. A new, attractive, quality King Construction barn is a perfect way to prepare for colder weather, as is an indoor arena, which provides a signifi- cant advantage during the winter because it allows you to be con- sistent with riding and training programs. When looking at new barn construction, King Construction works with you throughout the de- sign process, including identifying ways to be ready for winter con- ditions. For example, it’s a good idea to install a heated automatic waterer in each stall to provide your horses with a constant source of drinking water throughout the winter instead of having to contend with frozen water buckets when temperatures plunge. A combination of barn and indoor arena from King Construction is also an important consideration because it eliminates the need to walk through elements like rain, sleet, snow or ice. There are renovation options to consider as well, which can improve the overall appearance of your equestrian facility while also increasing the comfort of your horses. King Construc- tion can install new siding or new roofing, as well as provide upgrades to stalls and tack rooms. King Construction also has exten- sive experience in designing and installing complete interiors. King Construction makes the building process easy by researching your local building codes and providing complete architectural and engineering services for all constructed buildings. For more information visit www.kingbarns.com or call 717-354-4740. By Marty Adams, PhD, PAS – Cargill Equine Nutritionist- Technical Services Stress from winter weather can compromise your horse’s health, but you can prevent some of that stress through proper feed- ing management. A less active horse needs fewer calories, but cold weather calls for a 10-20% increase in calories over maintenance to generate enough heat to maintain normal body temperature. Feeding more hay and less grain will allow the horse to more easily maintain its body temperature. Substitute two pounds of hay for every pound of grain you decrease in the horse’s daily ration. If you are feeding less than 0.5% of your horse’s body weight daily in grain (less than 5 pounds daily for a 1,000 pound horse), consider feeding a diet balancer to provide the proper amounts of minerals and vitamins at a lower feeding rate. Tips for Winter Feeding • Feed more hay and less grain, substitute two pounds of hay for every pound of grain you decrease in the horse’s daily ration to keep your horse warmer • Encourage water consump- tion by offering warm water, or use insulated or heated buckets to keep water at a higher tempera- ture (ideal water temperature is 45 to 65º F), to reduce incidence of impaction colic • Add salt, a mineral supple- ment or electrolytes to the feed to increase water consumption and reduce impaction colic risk • Turn the horse out as much as possible, or provide adequate exercise to aid gut motility and prevent colic • Place hay on the ground to aid in nasal and lung drainage and lessen incidence of respirato- ry problems • Assess body condition of horses or check body weight with a scale or weight tape every 30-60 days To find a feed that would work well in your winter feed- ing program, visit www.legends horsefeed.com . Winterize Your Horse’s Feeding Program Winter Ready Special Advertising Section