No matter what time of year, it’s important to check your horse regularly and measure their health
consistently. If they become unwell or need some treatments, it’s best to find this out sooner
rather than later. Not all signs of your horse being ill are obvious, so make sure you know exactly
what you need to look out for. In the winter, you will need to check your often than usual down to
the colder weather and changes in the environment. The main things you will need to consider
are breed, size, diet and their coat. Here are some tips to care for your horse during the winter
months…
Use a horse rug to help protect your horse
When it comes to the winter months, you should check whether or not your horse needs a rug to
keep him or her warm. Rugs will also prevent the horse’s hair from growing too long and ensure
no dirt or debris will get stuck on him or her. Conveniently, you can find horse rugs in the uk
online ready to order, but make sure you do some research beforehand as there are some
different types of rugs available. It’s worth bearing in mind, horses shouldn’t be over-rugged, if
you’re feeling cold, it doesn’t mean the horse is. If you use a rug that isn’t appropriate for your
horse, this might lead to weight gain, discomfort, and even skin conditions. Make sure the rug
isn’t too heavy and that it fits properly.
Make sure you have a shelter for your horse
In the winter months, it’s essential your horse has somewhere warm to sleep and rest, this can
be natural or man-made, they won’t feel the difference. Your horse will be more likely to have
problems in the future if they don’t have this basic need during the colder months. If you usually
keep your horse in a field without a shelter, it’s time to find somewhere that has some inside
room or build some yourself.
Check your horses weight, legs and coat on a regular basis
You must check your horse’s weight regularly to make sure there aren’t any drastic changes to
body weight, most people use a weighbridge or tape to measure their horse. Finding out your
horse’s body condition score is essential during the colder months and won’t be difficult to do.
While you are checking and measuring the horse, you should take a close look at its legs and
coat too, just to ensure there aren’t any signs of mud fever or other skin conditions. These are
more likely to occur in winter when the weather is wet, windy and muddy.
Water levels should always be topped up
If it is a particularly cold winter, you might need to keep checking the water trough for any ice that
you will need to break. Water should be available for your horse all winter, this is just as
important as in the warmer summer months.
Overall, there are some tips you should consider when caring for your horse during the winter
months. The main ones you should look out for are any changes in weight and marks on the
legs. It’s essential to have a shelter for your horse and it might be worth investing in a rug.
