Horse Owners Prep for Snow/Ice Apocalypse Like It’s 1999 (but Colder)

DeAnn Long Sloan, , Comments Off on Horse Owners Prep for Snow/Ice Apocalypse Like It’s 1999 (but Colder)
The normies may be storming their local stores for break, milk, and toilet paper, but horse folks are busy with slightly different panic-buying endeavors.

Hold onto your hay bales, folks. A major winter storm is barreling toward the Southern Rockies, Plains, Midwest, and Eastern U.S. this weekend, threatening heavy snow, bitter cold, and plenty of slick ice to ruin hooves and human heels alike. Meteorologists are talking up to a foot of snow around Pittsburgh (home of Horse Nation headquarters and yours truly)and much of the region, with brutal single-digit lows and frigid wind chills in tow.

If you’ve been on social media today, you already know the panic has begun — and we’re not just talking regular people buying bread, milk, and toilet paper (though, honestly, where are our priorities?). We’re talking horse folks sprinting for supplies like the snowpocalypse is coming (because it might be).

The Great Horse-Person Snow Run

While the grocery store shelves are stripped of dairy and toilet paper, equestrians are seen panic-buying:

  • Extra hay “just in case”
  • More bedding than their stalls physically hold
  • Heated buckets they swear they already own
  • Beet pulp, electrolytes, salt, and treats (“because morale matters”)

Someone, somewhere, is absolutely standing in line holding toilet paper in one hand and a 50-lb bag of feed in the other, silently judging everyone else.

The Forecast You Care About (the Equine Version)

Here’s why we’re all freaking out:

  • Heavy snow is possible Saturday into Sunday, with the storm tied to a massive winter system sweeping much of the Eastern U.S. this weekend.
  • Bitter cold and wind chills are likely, making waterers freeze faster than you can say “ice-covered paddock.”
  • Temps will dive into the teens and single digits with snow chances building (so imagine this on the ground with icy footing).
  • The more southern areas potentially affected by this storm aren’t used to these conditions (remember last time cold like this hit Texas? it was catastrophic).

Canva/CC

But Jokes Aside — Here’s How to Actually Prepare for a Winter Storm With Horses

Because humor is great, but frozen pipes and dehydrated horses are not.

1. Water Comes First. Always.

  • Check heated buckets and tank heaters before the storm hits.
  • Test outlets and extension cords now — not at 6 a.m. in sleet.
  • Have spare buckets ready in case one cracks or freezes solid.
  • Encourage drinking by offering slightly warm water if possible.

 2. Stock Extra Hay (More Than You Think You Need)

  • Horses burn more calories staying warm — they’ll eat more.
  • Forage = heat
  • Snow or ice can delay deliveries longer than expected.
  • Keep hay dry and easily accessible in case paths get icy.

3. Ice Management Is a Survival Skill

Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan

  • Have non-toxic ice melt on hand for barn aisles and walkways.
  • Sand or shavings help improve footing where salt isn’t safe.
  • Avoid letting horses walk on slick concrete whenever possible.

4. Prepare Your Human Gear

  • Extra gloves. Seriously.
  • Waterproof boots that actually work.
  • Headlamps or flashlights in case power goes out early or chores run late.
  • Phone battery packs — cold drains them fast.
  • Hot Hands (purchased in bulk)

5. Adjust Expectations, Not Just Schedules

  • Turnout may be limited — plan for more stall time enrichment.
  • Riding might be canceled — that’s okay. Safety > productivity.
  • Horses may be extra spicy, extra dramatic, or extra offended by snow.

6. Plan for Power Issues

  • Know which outlets are on which breakers.
  • Have a plan if heaters lose power.
  • Keep emergency contact numbers easily accessible.

7. Check the Barn Cats (and Everyone Else)

My barn cats’ favorite place to sit (no matter the temperature). Photo by DeAnn Long Sloan.

  • Extra bedding and warm shelter for barn animals.
  • Make sure automatic feeders and waterers are functioning properly.
  • Look out for senior horses or those with special needs.

The Reality Check

Your non-horse friends are posting photos of empty grocery shelves. You’re out here counting hay bales, testing heaters, and explaining to your family why this storm feels different (even though it absolutely isn’t). Because when the snow comes down sideways and the wind cuts through everything, horse people don’t panic — we prepare, complain loudly, and then get it done anyway.

So yes, grab your milk and bread if you must. But if you’re a horse owner, the real winter storm essentials are: water, hay, footing, layers, and a sense of humor.

Stay safe, stay warm, and may all your buckets remain unfrozen — at least until morning chores.

Canva/CC