Winterproof: Zenhorse® Cares for Mustangs the Way Nature Intended

When winter settles in, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Aren’t the horses cold?”

Jennifer King-Decker, a key member of our herd wellness team, walks us through the principles and practices that shape our winter care plan—so you can better understand how mustangs are meant to live, even in snow, wind, and bitter cold.

When winter brings snow, wind, and bitter cold, people often worry about horses being

outdoors. At Zenhorse® our winter care plan is guided by both science and deep respect for the mustangs in our care. We’ve formalized our winter-weather procedures and developed a Herd Wellness Plan so every volunteer has clear guidance. This keeps us united in our approach to caring for the horses when winter conditions become challenging. Below, we share how we approach winter weather and the guiding principles we use to care for the herd through cold, wind, and snow.

What Mustangs Need to Thrive in Winter

Mustangs evolved to survive harsh, variable climates. Many domestic horses have been

selectively bred, clipped, blanketed, or stabled in ways that reduce the horses’ natural

adaptations. Mustangs, by contrast, retain the traits that allow them to tolerate cold

temperatures extremely well.

The truth is, cold alone is rarely dangerous for horses—especially mustangs, who have adapted to living in some brutal areas. The real risks come from wet coats, strong wind, and ice.

Our winter management focuses on preventing those risks while honoring the horses’ natural instincts.

Mustangs are exceptionally cold-hardy when they can:

● Stay dry

● Get out of the wind

● Choose from multiple shelter options

● Eat unlimited hay

Hay is their internal furnace. As long as it’s available, their bodies generate the heat they need to stay warm.

Choice-Based Care, With Safety First

Formerly wild mustangs still know how to manage winter. When given options, they naturally:

● Orient away from storms

● Use windbreaks

● Cluster together for warmth

At Zenhorse®, we prefer choice-based management whenever conditions allow. That means

providing good options—and letting the horses decide.

Our Winter Setup

Daily, we ensure:

● Free-choice access to shelter, including our indoor arena and windbreaks

● Unlimited hay and accessible water

● Safe footing around gates, hay areas, and shelter entrances

When Conditions Change, So Do We

● Dry cold: No special action needed if coats are dry, hay is plentiful, and shelter is

available.

● Wind or dry snow: We increase hay, monitor behavior, and check horses more

frequently.

● Wet + cold: This is the highest risk. We prioritize indoor shelter, increase hay, and

intervene as needed to keep horses dry and safe.

When We Override Choice

We require indoor shelter when:

● Coats are wet and temperatures are dropping

● Freezing rain or ice storms occur

● Windchill becomes extreme

● A horse is elderly, underweight, ill, or otherwise vulnerable

Safety always comes first.

Our Guiding Principle

If conditions allow, we trust the mustangs.

If conditions overwhelm their natural protections, we step in.

Winter care at Zenhorse® is about balancing respect for wild instincts with responsible, attentive management—so every horse stays safe, healthy, and comfortable all season long.

This balance—between trust and responsibility—is at the heart of how we care for the herd in every season. It’s one of the many ways Zenhorse® remains committed to ethical, informed, and compassionate care for wild-born mustangs, exactly as nature intended.

Emma and Travi enjoying the first snowfall of the year.