Winter Horse Care Guide

Winter can be a demanding season for horse owners, with numerous factors to consider to keep your horse safe and comfortable. For those new to horse care, winter introduces additional challenges as you navigate stable management in colder conditions.

To support you, we’ve created this beginner’s guide to winter horse care. You’ll find practical advice on topics like stabling, feeding, rugging, and managing common health concerns. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Do horses feel cold in winter?
• Should you stable your horse in winter?
• What should horses eat in winter?
• Is grooming important in winter?
• What type of rugs does your horse need?
• What winter health issues should you watch for?

Do horses get cold in winter?

Horses start to feel cold when temperatures drop below freezing (0°C), but they are well-adapted to handle lower temperatures than humans. With a thermoneutral zone of 0–25⁰C, horses can maintain their body heat better than we can, as they’ve evolved to live outdoors. However, in colder climates, you’ll want to provide extra care, such as shelter, rugs, and proper nutrition, to keep them warm.

Do you need to keep your horse stabled in winter?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, but your horse’s needs and welfare should guide your decision. Many horses are well-suited to staying outdoors through winter, provided they have access to food, water, and shelter. However, older horses, those with health conditions, or those clipped for work might benefit from being stabled, especially overnight. Stabling also helps protect fields from damage in wet weather.

What should you feed horses in winter?

During winter, horses rely more on hay as pasture quality declines. Forage is essential as it helps them generate body heat. Horses typically need 2-3% of their body weight in roughage daily, but this might increase during extreme cold. Ensure they have constant access to clean water and consider heated buckets to prevent freezing.

Should you groom your horse in winter?

Grooming is important year-round, and in winter, it helps manage mud and moisture that could lead to skin conditions like mud fever. Regularly cleaning your horse and checking for health issues ensures they stay comfortable and healthy.

What type of rugging does your horse need in winter?

If your horse is turned out during winter, they’ll need waterproof turnout rugs of varying weights depending on the weather. Stabled horses need breathable stable rugs to stay warm indoors. Adjust rugging based on your horse's coat (clipped or unclipped) and the temperatures.

Winter health problems to look out for:

• Mud fever: Caused by bacteria in wet, muddy conditions, leading to scabs and lesions on the legs.
• Rain scald: Affects the back and neck, caused by prolonged exposure to wet weather.
• Impaction colic: Caused by reduced water intake and dry forage, leading to a blockage in the gut.
• Laminitis: Can be triggered by colder weather in horses prone to metabolic issues.
• Coughing: Could be due to viral infections or equine asthma from dust in stables.

By preparing ahead and carefully managing your horse’s stabling, diet, rugging, and exercise, you can help them stay healthy and comfortable throughout the winter months.