Got to Wondering...

[Janet]

It's been so cold here the last few days and as I was driving my bus route I got to thinking about something I've never thought about before...... Do the horses or cows get cold when it's so darn cold? They stand right out there when the windchill was -15 degrees like it's nothing. I look at how narrow their legs get toward the hoofs and doesn't any part of them get cold?

[Marilyn]

Even here is S. Texas, we build cattle sheds which are usually long tin buildings with poles holding the roof up and one long open side. The cattle huddle together under the shed out of the wind to keep warm.

They eat more in cold weather, too, since they are burning so many calories maintaining their body temperature. I really feel sorry for the calves that are born when a cold wet norther is blowing.

We don't have much cold weather here, but when we do, and the wind is blowing, it's a cutting damp cold that really penetrates. I've been skiing in colder temperatures in New Mexico without a jacket on & been fine.

[Janet]

I don't see very many huddled together. They are standing right out in the middle of the fields grazing, not acting like the blistering cold wind affects them in any way. So as I was driving, I started wondering if they ever got that cold and if not, how they stayed warm. I know by the time the kids walk out of their house and to the bus their little faces are red and they act like they are froze for just being out in it for 60 seconds. The horses and cows stand out there all day.

[Marilyn]

Maybe someone else will have an idea. Like I said, they do huddle together here, and we take the feed out to them so they don't have to get out from behind the wind break. They do have to travel to get to water and we have to use an ax to break the ice on the water trough when it's really cold.

This may not even happen every winter here. It's a sporadic thing, and maybe we spoil our livestock because we humans think it is soooo cold. Yours may be tougher because they are accustomed to the cold where ours are more accustomed to the hot weather of summer.

Maybe Sheryl will have some insite since she raises horses.

[Janet]

That's a good point...some are use to it. Now we do have those open sided long pole buildings that they can get in to, but they are right out there in the open. I did notice the other day that whoever these horses belong to, they just stop in the road and throw the hay or straw whatever it is right over the fence. So they even eat out in the open.

SHERYL.......WHERE ARE YOU ????? Can you give some insight to my question since you have horses??

[Marilyn]

With cattle, we do have to move our feeding spots and try to stay down wind of the shed if it stays cold too many days. Cattle are so stupid. They poop wherever you feed them and they won't eat near their poop. So once you've fed them in one spot, you have to move next time to get away from the poo. Nasty creatures.

[Janet]

Well I certainly am learning something today...LOL. Not much about the cold, but I know now where the saying "stupid cow'" comes from..lol..thanks Marilyn:D :D

[rivermom]

Marilyn is correct Janet. Cows and horses have increased food intake, shelters, and natural abilities to aid in the seasonal temps. They are pretty tough animals.

Horses also have blankets they wear to keep them warmer.

[Marilyn]

Well I certainly am learning something today...LOL. Not much about the cold, but I know now where the saying "stupid cow'" comes from..lol..thanks Marilyn:D :D

Hey, you're the one who posted the freeky video!!! This is tame compared to that!!!

[Janet]

ROFLMBO!!!!! I know....guilty as charged....LOLOL

[Tink]

Janet, when we had horses, one thing we noticed was that even when it was snowing and blowing most would rather stand outside. In hot weather they'd go under shelter to find shade, but extreme cold didn't seem to bother them. They'd turn their butts to the wind and brave it out.

[Janet]

Seriously now...I think that is amazing. I really had not given it much thought before but for some reason during this subzero snap, I saw them out there and not looking like it bothered them at all. Now if they were hugely fat and used the fat to keep warm, I could see it a little better, but they were just beautiful horses out in a field.

[Tink]

Janet, in colder climates like ours they do grow a nice thick undercoat that helps considerably. If you're around them in spring you'll see it falling off. It's enough that it's really quite a mess when they shed in spring.

[AngieDoogles]

Interesting thread Janet. I learned something new today. :) Thanks!

[Janet]

Isn't this place something Angie? The things we notice and learn about. Totally amazing!

[DianaB]

(Standing with hands on hips!) I'm gone for a day and a half and look at the subjects that get talked about!!!!! Cow butts and cow poo!!!! What am I going to do with ya'll????? LOL Seriously I wish that I could add some insite but we're strictly grain farmers......no cattle or animals of any kind, except dogs and a cat!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Isn't this place something Angie? The things we notice and learn about. Totally amazing!

I agree. I think I learn more here than I do in my classes. LOL :)

But I think I got off topic. What were we talking about? Oh yeah, "cow butts and cow poo". Please continue. :p

[Tink]

Oh I'm just full of "useless facts". LOL That's what happens when you get older... you've seen a lot of weird things that in the grand scheme of things... don't matter one bit. LOL

[Janet]

But they sure are fun to share...LOLOL

[judy]

From "How Horses Cope with Cold Weather," or something like that - I googled it.

Horses readily adapt to winter weather. Cold temperature in itself is not a problem for a horse if he's had a chance to prepare gradually by growing a winter coat as fall temperatures drop. Wind and wet weather are the factors that can chill a horse. In windy regions, horses need some type of shelter to protect against the wind chill that can whip away body heat.


Horses handle cold weather better than humans do; equines evolved in the cold climates of northern Europe and Asia. Their natural "comfort zone" (energy-neutral temperature zone, in which they don't need to expend extra energy to maintain normal body temperature if weather is not wet or windy) is from about 15 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The horse's body is better at creating and conserving heat in cold weather than dissipating it in hot weather.

Very cool observation Janet! And, our farm savvy women knew all of this stuff.

We rule!