Taos Bark: A closer look at straw bale shelters (and horses get cold too)

Last week I wrote about shelter for dogs left outside during the winter, and advocated strongly for straw bales being the best protection. This week’s column has more detailed information on how to build with straw bales and information on how to keep horses protected from the cold and snow.

I have received calls from people asking where to get straw bales. We are looking for a good price per bale. Chamisa Feed is charging $7 per bale.

Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic bowls for food and water when the temperature is low — your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

Dogs respond to cold by shivering and depressing their breathing. Hypothermia (excessive cooling of the body’s core) prevention requires adequate shelter, protection against wetness or wind, good physical condition and adequate food and water. A healthy animal’s hair-coat, skin, underlying tissue and fat protect against hypothermia

If a dog is kept outside, special considerations must be made before purchasing or building a shelter, based on the animal’s size.

The ceiling should be two to three inches taller than the tallest part of the sitting dog. The interior should provide 36-square-inches of floor space for every inch of the dog’s height, from the point of his shoulders to the ground. (Example: a dog 20 inches tall needs 720-square-inches of floor space, 20 inches by 36 inches equals 720 square inches.)

The shelter should be protected from the wind, with the door facing east or south. The entrance should be off-center so the dog can curl up in the corner, protected from precipitation and drafts. A nesting box, to hold bedding, should be provided in the protected inside shelter corner.

The shelter should have clean bedding at all times. A bag made of ticking stuffed with shredded newspapers, straw, cedar or pine shavings, can be regularly emptied, washed and renewed with fresh stuffing material.

The shelter can be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials, such as exterior plywood, wooden barrels, hay or straw bales, crates, etc. When finished, the interior must allow the animal to sit, turn around and lay down. The animal must be able to keep dry and warm on the inside and escape the direct rays of the sun on the outside.

Horses

Unfortunately, there is not a law that protects horses from exposure to the elements. Their quality of life depends on their owners. The Taos County livestock officer, Ruben Baca, handles calls on horse abuse. You can reach him at (575) 770-1490.

Horse owners: Give your horses shelter and dry warmth. Be sure your horses have access to a barn or a three-sided run-in so they can escape the wind and cold.

While not all horses will need to be blanketed, blankets will help horses keep warm and dry, especially if there is any rain or snow. If you’ve body-clipped your horses, keep them blanketed throughout the winter.

Supply food and water to your horses around the clock.

Give your horses access to unfrozen water at all times. You can use heated buckets or water heaters/de-icers to make sure the water doesn’t freeze.

Feed your horses more forage — unlimited amounts, if possible — during extreme cold. This will help your horses create heat and regulate their body temperatures.

Without question, this information applies to all livestock — from little rabbits to cows and horses.

Again, speak out if you see a pet left in the cold. If you encounter a pet left in the cold, document what you see: the date, time, exact location and type of animal, plus as many details as possible. Video and photo documentation (even a cell phone photo) will help bolster your case. Then contact animal control by calling dispatch for both town and county (575) 758-2216. Take detailed notes regarding whom you speak with and when. Respectfully follow up in a few days if the situation has not been remedied.

I have started contacting media to provide information on how to take care of your animals this winter, and the possible legal issues that can be a result of neglect. Hopefully, we can start a “blitz” of education and information to the public.

Contact Hernandez at taosbark@gmail.com or (575) 613-3448.