Winter horse care essentials: beyond just rugs

When winter approaches, rugs are often the first thing horse owners think about. While rugs can be important, winter care involves much more than keeping your horse covered.

Feed, shelter, water, hoof care and daily management all play a role in keeping horses healthy and comfortable through colder, wetter conditions.

Start with body condition

Heading into winter, it is important to know whether your horse is in good condition.

Horses use energy to stay warm, and those that are underweight, older, clipped or paddocked may need extra support. Regularly checking body condition helps you spot changes early, before weight loss becomes more difficult to correct.

Do not rely on a thick winter coat alone. It can hide changes in condition, especially over the ribs and topline.

Review feed and forage

As pasture quality declines, horses may need additional forage or feed to maintain condition.

Forage should remain the foundation of the diet. Good-quality hay or pasture helps support digestion and provides a steady source of fibre.

If your horse is working, older, or struggling to maintain weight, extra feed may be needed. Any changes should be made gradually and matched to the horse’s workload and body condition.

Water still matters

In winter, horses may drink less, especially if water is very cold. Reduced water intake can increase the risk of digestive issues.

Make sure water is clean, accessible and checked regularly. If troughs or buckets become dirty, empty or difficult to access, intake can drop.

For horses eating more hay, water becomes even more important.

Shelter and dry areas

Horses need somewhere they can get out of wind and rain, whether that is natural shelter, a stable, a shed or a well-positioned paddock.

Constant exposure to wet conditions can increase stress and make it harder for horses to maintain warmth. Wet ground can also contribute to hoof and skin issues.

Providing a dry standing area where possible can make a big difference.

Hoof care in wet weather

Wet conditions can soften hooves and increase the risk of cracks, thrush, abscesses or other hoof problems.

Regular picking out, farrier visits and monitoring are important during winter. If horses are standing in wet or muddy areas for long periods, hoof issues can develop quickly.  Applying hoof oil and other hoof treatments can help to maintain your horses hooves during winter.

Rugging is only one part

Rugging decisions should be based on the individual horse, not just the temperature.

Consider coat length, age, body condition, shelter, wind, rain and whether the horse is clipped. Over-rugging can cause sweating and discomfort, while under-rugging can leave some horses using too much energy to stay warm.

You can check your horse is warm enough by siding a hand up near their girth – they should feel warm but not hot.  Remember a cold horse can burn energy to warm up, but a horse that has gotten to hot can become unwell very quickly – so it is often better to tend towards less rugs.

Check under rugs regularly for rubs, heat, dampness or weight changes.

Keep an eye on movement

Cold weather and wet ground can reduce movement. Horses may spend more time standing still, especially if paddocks are muddy or slippery.

Where possible, encourage safe movement through turnout, exercise or paddock management. Movement supports circulation, digestion and general wellbeing.