Preparing Your Horse for Winter in the UK: A Practical Guide

Winter horse care in the UK can be challenging. Shorter days, colder temperatures, wet fields, mud and changes in turnout can all affect the way we manage our horses.

After more than 30 years of owning and competing horses, I've experienced winters ranging from relatively mild and dry to months when it seemed as though the mud would never disappear. One thing I've learned is that preparing early can make life considerably easier for both horse and rider.

Every horse is different, of course. A hardy native living out will have very different requirements from an older, clipped competition horse. The aim isn't to follow one rigid winter routine, but to think ahead and adapt your horse's management to their individual needs.

Here are some of the main things worth considering before winter really sets in.

Make Changes to Your Horse's Routine Gradually

For many horses, autumn brings quite a significant change in routine.

A horse that has spent much of the summer at grass may suddenly be stabled for longer, eating more conserved forage and exercising less. Try not to make all these changes at once if you can avoid it.

Introduce new forage or feed gradually and allow your horse time to adjust to changes in turnout and stabling.

This isn't only about digestion. Horses are creatures of habit, and a sudden move from long periods outside with other horses to spending much more time in a stable can also affect their behaviour and general wellbeing.

Planning the transition before the weather forces your hand can make it much easier.

Review Your Horse's Feeding and Forage

Grass growth and nutritional value decline as we move into winter, so forage becomes increasingly important.

For most horses, good-quality forage should form the foundation of the winter diet. Horses are designed to eat little and often, and having sufficient forage is particularly important when turnout becomes limited.

Don't automatically assume that winter means your horse needs considerably more hard feed. Their requirements will depend on factors including workload, age, condition, breed, health and how much good-quality forage they are receiving.

Some horses maintain weight very easily through winter, while others need additional nutritional support.

If you're unsure about your horse's individual requirements, speak to an equine nutritionist or your vet rather than simply increasing feed.

Monitor Your Horse's Weight and Body Condition

A thick winter coat can make it surprisingly difficult to notice changes in body condition.

Don't rely entirely on what your horse looks like from a distance. Regularly run your hands over their ribs, neck, shoulders and quarters so that you become familiar with how their condition actually feels beneath the coat.

Keeping a simple record can also help you spot gradual changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Winter weight loss can be significant, particularly in older horses or poor doers, but unwanted weight gain matters too. Some horses need to lose a little excess condition over winter rather than being kept unnecessarily warm and overfed.

If your horse's weight changes unexpectedly or you're concerned about their condition, seek professional advice.

Rug According to the Horse, Not the Calendar

Rugging is one of those subjects horse owners can debate endlessly.

There is no single correct rug for a particular temperature because horses vary enormously.

Breed, age, body condition, whether the horse is clipped, access to shelter, workload and the weather itself all matter. Cold, driving rain and wind can present a very different situation from a dry, still day at exactly the same temperature.

A healthy unclipped horse with a good winter coat and adequate shelter may need much less rugging than we imagine.

Clipped horses, older horses and those that struggle to maintain condition may require more protection.

Check underneath rugs regularly rather than assuming that because you feel cold, your horse must be cold too. Over-rugging can be uncomfortable and can cause a horse to sweat beneath the rug.

Also check rugs for rubbing, leaks, damaged fastenings and changes in fit as your horse's weight and coat change.

If your horse is working regularly through winter, you may also need to consider clipping. Our Horse Clipping Guide explains the different types of clip and how to choose one according to your horse’s workload and management.

Think About Shelter as Well as Rugs

Horses kept outside need somewhere they can escape persistent rain and strong winds.

That doesn't necessarily have to mean a purpose-built field shelter. Depending on the field, natural shelter such as established hedges or trees may provide useful protection.

Consider the direction of prevailing weather too. A shelter is only useful if the horse can actually get out of the worst conditions.

Also keep an eye on gateways and areas around water troughs and feeders. These can quickly become extremely muddy and difficult to negotiate during a wet British winter.

Manage Mud Before It Becomes a Major Problem

Mud is almost inevitable on many UK yards, but some forward planning can prevent the worst areas from becoming unmanageable.

Gateways, water troughs and feeding areas tend to suffer first because horses repeatedly walk or stand in the same places.

If possible, rotate gateways, move feeders or use suitable surfaces in particularly vulnerable high-traffic areas.

Regularly inspect your horse's legs rather than waiting until there is an obvious problem. Persistent wet and muddy conditions can contribute to skin problems such as mud fever.

If you notice heat, swelling, soreness, scabs or broken skin, don't simply keep scrubbing the area. Appropriate treatment depends on what is causing the problem, so seek veterinary advice if you're concerned. If wet conditions are causing problems with your horse's lower legs, our guide to Mud Fever in Horses explains the signs to look for, possible causes and ways to reduce the risk.

Don't Forget Hoof Care During Winter

Hooves can need just as much attention in winter as they do during the rest of the year.

Constantly moving between wet fields and drier stable conditions can affect hoof quality, while deep mud can make loose shoes and other problems harder to notice.

Pick feet out regularly and check for unusual smells, discharge, tenderness, loose shoes or changes in the hoof.

Farrier visits should continue at appropriate intervals throughout winter even if your horse is doing less work.

Make Sure Your Horse Is Drinking Enough

We naturally think about hydration during hot weather, but it matters during winter too.

Some horses drink less when the weather is cold, and very cold water may be less appealing. At the same time, horses may be eating more dry forage than they were during summer.

Check water supplies regularly, particularly during freezing weather, and make sure troughs and buckets remain clean and accessible.

If you're concerned that your horse isn't drinking normally, speak to your vet.

Consider How Much Time Your Horse Is Spending in the Stable

Bad weather and poor ground can mean horses spend considerably more time indoors during winter.

For some horses, that is a major lifestyle change.

Where practical, maximise safe turnout and movement rather than assuming that keeping a horse inside is always the safest or most comfortable option.

If turnout has to be restricted, think about how you can make stable time more comfortable and interesting.

Adequate forage is important, and some horses benefit from having forage provided in ways that encourage slower feeding or a little more movement around the stable.

Safe enrichment can also help horses that become bored when spending longer indoors.

Social contact matters too. Being able to see and interact appropriately with other horses can make prolonged periods of stabling easier for many horses.

Adjust Exercise to the Conditions

Winter doesn't necessarily mean stopping work, but you may need to become more flexible.

Frozen ground, deep mud, poor visibility and slippery surfaces can all affect what is safe to do.

On some days, a shorter schooling session, groundwork or simply allowing your horse to move may be more sensible than sticking rigidly to a training programme.

If you're riding after dark, make sure the environment is suitable and that both you and your horse can be clearly seen where necessary.

Fitness can also change when workload becomes inconsistent, so don't expect a horse that has been doing much less work to immediately return to their previous level when conditions improve.

Keep Up With Routine Health Care

Winter is a good time to review the basics.

Keep vaccinations, dental checks, parasite control and farrier appointments up to date according to the advice of the relevant professionals.

Older horses may need particularly careful monitoring as temperatures fall. Dental problems, arthritis and difficulty maintaining weight can become more noticeable during winter.

Watch for changes in appetite, droppings, drinking, movement, behaviour and general condition. You know what is normal for your horse, and a persistent change is worth investigating.

Don't Forget Your Own Winter Riding Confidence

Winter can affect riders mentally as well as physically.

Dark evenings, wind, rain, fresh horses, restricted turnout and fewer opportunities to ride consistently can all chip away at confidence.

If you miss several weeks because of weather or poor ground, don't feel that you have to pick up exactly where you left off.

Give yourself permission to make the first few sessions straightforward. A quiet hack, some simple schooling or even groundwork may be enough.

Confidence tends to grow from positive experiences, not from forcing yourself to do something simply because you think you should.

If winter riding nerves are becoming a bigger issue, you'll find further practical advice and support throughout The Confident Rider.

Prepare Before the Bad Weather Arrives

One of the easiest ways to make winter horse care less stressful is simply to get organised before you desperately need everything.

Check rugs and have any repairs done. Make sure you have suitable lighting, torches and batteries. Think about forage supplies, bedding and whether your yard has a plan for frozen taps or exceptionally bad weather.

If you travel to the yard, it is also worth keeping a few useful items in the car during winter — warm clothing, gloves, waterproofs and a torch can all become unexpectedly valuable.

A little preparation in autumn can save a great deal of frustration on a freezing, wet evening in January.

There Is No Perfect Winter Routine

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that good horse management is about the individual horse rather than following what everybody else on the yard is doing.

One horse may thrive living out with plenty of forage and shelter. Another may need careful rugging, additional feed and more time indoors. What works in a relatively dry winter may also need to change after weeks of relentless rain.

Keep looking at the horse in front of you.

Monitor their weight and condition, check their feet and skin, notice changes in behaviour and adjust their management as the weather changes.

British winters may be unpredictable, but preparing early and remaining flexible can make the colder months considerably more manageable — and hopefully allow both you and your horse to come through winter healthy, comfortable and ready to enjoy the spring.

If you’d like help with that side of winter riding, that’s exactly what The Confident Rider is here for. Take a look at my Nervous Rider Action Plan

Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy your horse this winter. If you want to know a bit more about me CHECK OUT MY BIO