Winter in the UK brings unique challenges for horse owners—cold temperatures, wet conditions, reduced daylight, and muddy fields all require adjustments to your horse care routine. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to keep your horse healthy, comfortable, and thriving through the winter months.
Understanding Your Horse's Winter Needs
Horses are remarkably adaptable to cold weather, but they need proper management to stay healthy. Unlike humans, horses generate significant body heat through digestion, particularly when eating forage. Understanding this helps you make better decisions about rugging, feeding, and shelter.
Key winter challenges:
- Maintaining body condition and warmth
- Managing wet, muddy conditions
- Providing adequate shelter from wind and rain
- Ensuring sufficient water intake
- Preventing winter health issues
- Maintaining exercise and mental stimulation
Rugging: Getting It Right
Choosing the right rug and knowing when to use it is crucial for your horse's comfort.
When to Rug
Not all horses need rugs, and over-rugging is as problematic as under-rugging.
Horses that typically need rugs:
- Clipped horses (they've lost their natural insulation)
- Older horses with poor body condition
- Horses with thin coats or lacking winter coat
- Horses recently moved from warmer climates
- Very young or very old horses
- Horses with health conditions affecting temperature regulation
Horses that may not need rugs:
- Healthy horses with good body condition and full winter coats
- Native breeds and hardy types
- Horses with access to adequate shelter
Choosing the Right Rug Weight
Rug weights are measured in grams of fill:
0g (No fill/Turnout sheet):
- Waterproof protection without warmth
- Mild autumn/spring weather
- Our 0g Detachable Neck Turnout Rug provides rain protection without overheating
100-200g (Lightweight):
- Mild winter days (5-10°C)
- Clipped horses in moderate weather
- Horses with some natural coat
200-300g (Medium weight):
- Cold winter days (0-5°C)
- Fully clipped horses
- Our 300g Detachable Neck Turnout Rug offers excellent warmth for harsh UK winters
300g+ (Heavyweight):
- Very cold conditions (below 0°C)
- Fully clipped horses in freezing weather
- Horses with poor body condition
Rug Management
Proper rug care keeps your horse comfortable and prevents problems:
- Check daily: Remove rugs to check for rubs, pressure points, or slipping
- Adjust for weather: Add or remove layers as temperatures change
- Ensure proper fit: Rugs should cover adequately without restricting movement
- Keep clean and dry: Rotate rugs so they can be washed and dried
- Check fastenings: Ensure all straps, buckles, and clips are secure
- Monitor body condition: Feel under the rug regularly to check weight
For detailed grooming under rugs, see our guide: Winter Horse Grooming.
Winter Feeding: Fueling the Furnace
Horses generate heat through digestion, making winter feeding crucial for warmth and health.
Increase Forage
Forage is your horse's primary heat source:
- Provide at least 2% of body weight in forage daily (more in very cold weather)
- Hay generates more heat during digestion than hard feed
- Offer ad-lib hay if possible, especially overnight
- Use small-holed haynets to slow consumption
- Ensure constant access to forage for horses living out
Adjust Hard Feed
Energy requirements increase in cold weather:
- Increase feed for horses maintaining or losing weight
- Choose feeds with digestible fibre and oil for slow-release energy
- Avoid high-starch feeds that cause energy spikes
- Feed smaller meals more frequently
- Warm feeds with warm (not hot) water on very cold days
Monitor Body Condition
Winter coats and rugs can hide weight loss:
- Run your hands over your horse's body weekly
- Feel ribs, spine, and hindquarters
- Aim for body condition score 5-6 out of 9
- Adjust feeding before significant weight loss occurs
- Weigh with a weigh tape monthly
Water: The Forgotten Essential
Dehydration is a serious winter risk that's often overlooked.
Ensuring Adequate Water Intake
- Horses drink less when water is very cold
- Provide lukewarm water when possible (not hot)
- Break ice on troughs multiple times daily
- Consider heated water buckets or trough heaters
- Check water intake—horses need 20-40 litres daily
- Offer warm mashes or soaked feeds to increase fluid intake
Signs of dehydration:
- Skin pinch test—skin stays tented for 2+ seconds
- Dry mucous membranes
- Reduced urination
- Lethargy or depression
- Increased risk of impaction colic
Learn to check hydration status in our guide: Understanding Your Horse's Vital Signs.
Shelter and Turnout
Horses need protection from wind and rain, but also benefit from turnout and movement.
Providing Adequate Shelter
Shelter doesn't always mean a stable:
- Field shelters: Three-sided structures offering wind and rain protection
- Natural shelter: Trees, hedgerows, and hills provide windbreaks
- Stabling: Full-time stabling for horses that need it
- Combined approach: Turnout during the day, stabling at night
Essential shelter features:
- Protection from prevailing wind
- Dry standing area
- Adequate size for all horses to use (if shared)
- Safe construction with no sharp edges
- Good drainage around the shelter
Winter Turnout Management
Turnout is important for physical and mental health:
- Provide daily turnout when possible, even in winter
- Manage fields to prevent poaching (excessive mud)
- Use sacrifice areas or tracks during very wet periods
- Rotate grazing areas to allow recovery
- Provide hay in the field for horses living out
- Check fencing regularly—horses may lean on it for shelter
Managing Mud and Wet Conditions
UK winters mean mud—lots of it. Proper management prevents health issues.
Mud Fever Prevention
- Keep legs as dry as possible
- Don't over-wash—strips natural oils
- If washing is necessary, dry thoroughly
- Apply barrier cream to clean, dry legs
- Check daily for scabs, heat, or swelling
- Provide dry standing areas
- Consider turnout boots for very muddy conditions
Field Management
- Create hardstanding areas around gates and water troughs
- Use woodchip or hardcore in high-traffic areas
- Fence off very wet areas
- Harrow and reseed damaged areas in spring
- Consider reducing turnout time during very wet periods
Winter Health Concerns
Be vigilant for these common winter health issues:
Colic
Winter increases colic risk due to:
- Reduced water intake
- Less movement/exercise
- Changes in routine or diet
- Eating frozen grass
Prevention:
- Ensure adequate water intake
- Maintain regular exercise
- Feed consistent amounts at regular times
- Provide plenty of forage
- Monitor for signs: pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, not eating
Respiratory Issues
Stabling increases respiratory disease risk:
- Ensure good stable ventilation
- Use dust-free bedding
- Soak or steam hay for horses with respiratory sensitivity
- Muck out daily and remove wet bedding
- Turn out as much as possible
Laminitis
Winter laminitis can occur, especially in:
- Horses with Cushing's disease (PPID)
- Overweight horses
- Horses on rich winter grazing
For detailed laminitis management, see: Spring Grass & Laminitis Guide.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Reduced daylight and poor weather can limit exercise, but movement is essential.
Maintaining Fitness
- Ride regularly when conditions allow
- Use indoor arenas or all-weather surfaces
- Lunge or long-rein on days you can't ride
- Hand-walk if riding isn't possible
- Ensure adequate turnout for natural movement
Preventing Boredom
- Provide toys or treat balls in stables
- Vary exercise routines
- Allow social interaction with other horses
- Provide environmental enrichment (mirrors, music, etc.)
- Maximize turnout time
Hoof Care in Winter
Winter conditions are tough on hooves:
- Pick out hooves daily, checking for thrush
- Monitor for cracks or chips from frozen ground
- Apply hoof oil to maintain moisture balance
- Prevent snow balling with hoof grease or snow pads
- Maintain regular farrier visits (every 6-8 weeks)
- Consider studs for riding on icy surfaces
Winter Tack and Equipment
Cold weather affects your equipment:
- Warm bits in your hands before bridling
- Use fleece girth covers to prevent cold shock
- Store leather tack in warm, dry conditions
- Clean and condition leather regularly—cold makes it brittle
- Check rug fastenings and straps for wear
- Ensure waterproof boots are in good condition
Daily Winter Routine Checklist
Morning
- Check horse for injuries, heat, or swelling
- Remove and check night rug
- Feed breakfast and provide fresh water
- Muck out stable
- Apply day rug if needed
- Turn out or exercise
Evening
- Bring in or check horses at pasture
- Remove day rug and check for rubs
- Groom and check body condition
- Pick out hooves
- Feed dinner and provide fresh water
- Apply night rug
- Provide hay for overnight
Preparing for Severe Weather
Be ready for snow, ice, and storms:
- Stock up on hay, feed, and bedding
- Have spare rugs in case some get wet
- Keep ice-breaking tools accessible
- Ensure you can access your horse in all conditions
- Have emergency vet contact details readily available
- Consider backup heating for water troughs
- Keep a first aid kit well-stocked
Final Thoughts
Winter horse care requires vigilance, preparation, and daily attention to detail. By understanding your horse's needs, providing appropriate rugging and feeding, ensuring adequate shelter and water, and monitoring health closely, you'll keep your horse comfortable and healthy through even the harshest UK winter. Every horse is different, so tailor your approach to your individual horse's needs, and don't hesitate to consult your vet if you have concerns.
For more seasonal horse care advice, explore our Stable & Sound blog and discover quality winter horse care supplies.
