Essential Winter Horse Care Checklist and Tips

TLDR; Winter horse care in the UK comes down to staying consistent and proactive, both in the lead-up and whilst winter is in full swing. Cold temperatures, muddy fields, and limited grazing mean horses need extra support with feeding, hydration, rugging, hoof care, and daily health checks. A solid winter routine helps prevent common seasonal issues like weight loss, dehydration, mud fever, and hoof problems during those coldest winter months. 

Key Takeaways

• Horses burn more calories in winter and often need extra forage
  

• Hydration is just as important in cold weather as in summer
  

• Mud and moisture increase the risk of hoof issues and mud fever
  

• Rugging should suit the horse, not the weather forecast alone
  

• Daily checks catch winter problems early, before they escalate
  
  

Why Winter Horse Care Is So Important in the UK

UK winters bring a unique mix of challenges - damp cold, deep mud, frozen taps, and inconsistent turnout. We really get a mixed bag each winter, and our horses shouldn't have to suffer through it! Even hardy horses can struggle if their winter care isn’t adjusted properly to fit the temperature and their environment.

January and February are often when problems creep in quietly. At this point, we're deep in the depths of winter, and we know ourselves just how the cold changes can effect our daily routines.  During this time off year, horses' weight drops off, their hooves soften, skin conditions appear, and dehydration goes unnoticed. Good winter management isn’t about overdoing it, it’s about doing the basics well, every single day. Staying on top of the basics will ensure that your horse is thriving and healthy, all winter long.

Winter Feeding: Keeping Condition Without Overdoing It

Forage is the foundation of winter horse care.

As grass quality drops, horses rely almost entirely on hay or haylage to stay warm and maintain their weight. Digestion generates heat, so horses naturally eat more in cold weather. We do the same, right? So why would our fury friends be any different? 

Let's break down some important winter feeding tips:

• Increase forage before adding hard feed
  

• Offer ad-lib hay where possible

• Split forage into multiple nets to encourage steady intake

• Monitor your horses weight weekly, not just by eye - making notes of this will help in terms of accuracy. Sometimes the eye can be deceiving - going by the numbers will provide a better understanding of your horses feeding.
  

For horses struggling to hold condition, higher-energy forage or added fibre feeds may help. Easy keepers, on the other hand, often need careful rationing to avoid winter weight gain. Knowing what category your horse fits into, will help you in ensuring their diet is adjusted accurately in winter to support their dietary requirements.

Hydration in Cold Weather

Horses can drink less in winter, even when they need water just as much. Do you find the same happens with yourself? During summer, we're always reaching for a cold, crisp bottle of water to keep us hydrated, but in winter, our hydration levels can sometimes take a dip. Horses can follow suit here.

Cold water, frozen buckets, and reduced thirst all contribute to dehydration, which increases the risk of impaction colic.

You can support winter hydration for your horses by:

• Breaking ice and refreshing their water at least twice daily

• Use slightly warmed water if possible

• Add soaked feeds or mash to the diet

• Check droppings for dryness
  
  

If your horse suddenly is drinking less, don’t ignore it - hydration issues can escalate very quickly in winter and it's important that you're able to recognise and address this. Consult a vet where necessary or if you have concerns about dehydration or changes in drinking habits.

Rugging: Right Rug, Right Time

Rugging is arguably one of the most debated topics in winter horse care, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. This generally divides opinion because horses are naturally built to cope with the cold, however modern management and horse-care changes how well they can do that. Native horse breeds and wild horses can regulate their body temp very well on their own and over-rugging these horses can cause serious problems.

Many horses now-a-days are clipped, stabled, older, or in 'regular' work. These horses may struggle to stay warm and regulate their body temperature without rugs.

Weather alone doesn't determine a horses rugging needs. Let's not complicate things, but there are many considerations to keep in mind - wind, rain, mud, access to shelters, their body condition, workload and their individual tolerance all play factors in what your horse needs. Remember, no two horses are the same.

Because every horse, setup, and winter is different, and because the risks of both over- and under-rugging are real, rugging remains a heavily debated topic.

The goal isn’t to keep horses warm, but to help them maintain body temperature without sweating or shivering.

Some good rugging practice includes:

• Matching rug weight to the horse’s condition and workload

• Checking under rugs daily for dampness or rubs

• Adjusting layers as weather changes

• Avoiding over-rugging, which can cause weight loss and skin issues
  
  

Turnout and Movement: Managing Mud Without Standing Still

Winter turnout is often limited by weather and ground conditions, but movement still matters for your horses!

Standing still for long periods of time increases stiffness, circulation issues, and digestive slowdown. Things we definitely don't want our horses to deal with!

Utilise these below winter turnout tips to avoid issues with your horses health:

• Prioritise daily movement, even if turnout time is reduced

• Rotate turnout areas to limit deep mud

• Use hard standing or sacrifice paddocks when needed

• Demonstrate safe paddock access to reduce slipping
  
  

Even short turnout periods help with mental wellbeing and joint health. Start incorporating these tips today for a healthier and happier horse!

Hoof Care and Mud Fever Prevention

Wet conditions soften horses hooves and their skin which creates the ideal (but not ideal) conditions for both thrush and mud fever. Prevention is super important and far easier than treatment for these conditions.

Focus on prioritising their hoof and skin care essentials for your horses, to prevent thrush and mud fever:

• Pick out feet daily

• Keep feathers clean and dry where possible

• Avoid constant washing — drying is more important

• Use barrier creams strategically, not excessively
  
  

Early signs like redness, scabs, or a foul hoof smell should be addressed immediately with a vet. It's important to address these at the first sign to avoid infection or a condition developing on your horse.

Daily Winter Health Checklist:

Let’s run through a quick daily checklist to make sure you’re covering the essentials and catching small issues before they turn into big vet bills.

These checks take just a few minutes but make a big difference during the colder months.

1. Appetite and water intake
   Eating normally and drinking enough; reduced intake can signal pain, cold stress, or dehydration.
   
   
2. Droppings consistency and quantity
   Watch for dry, hard, or reduced droppings, which may indicate dehydration or digestive slowdown.
   
   
3. Weight and body condition
   Feel along the ribs, neck, and hindquarters — winter weight loss often happens gradually.
   
   
4. Skin under rugs
   Check for dampness, rubs, scurf, or sores that can quickly worsen in cold, wet conditions.
   
   
5. Hoof condition and heat
   Pick out daily; look for soft soles, foul smells, heat, or increased digital pulse.
   
   
6. Legs and joints
   Check for swelling, stiffness, or cuts, especially in muddy or frozen ground.
   
   
7. Movement and attitude
   Note any reluctance to move, stiffness when walking off, or changes in behaviour.
   
   
8. Eyes and nostrils
   Clear, bright eyes and clean nostrils help spot early signs of illness or infection.

 

Winter problems rarely appear overnight. They creep in slowly and quietly, often showing up as subtle changes that are easy to overlook until they become much bigger issues. Following the above checklist helps you spot those early warning signs and take action before small concerns turn into costly or uncomfortable problems.

Conclusion

Winter can be one of the most demanding times of the year for horse owners, especially in the UK where cold, wet, and muddy conditions are the norm rather than the exception. Winter brings us many challenges, but it's also a time when we need to maintain consistency with our horse-care management to ensure our horse's health and wellbeing does not dip.

While there's no single checklist or routine that suits every horse, this guide and checklist will help get you started and guide you to adjust your horse's feeding, hydration, rugging, and turnout routines as winter conditions change.

By focusing on the fundamentals, good-quality forage, reliable access to water, appropriate rugging, regular movement, and daily health checks, you give your horse the best possible chance of coming through winter healthy and comfortable. These small, consistent efforts add up over time, helping to prevent common winter issues like weight loss, dehydration, hoof problems, and skin conditions.

Winter care doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Get started today on implementing these small changes and checks and you'll have a solid routine down-pat before you know it. Let's support our horses through this tough season together!

FAQs

1. How much hay should a horse eat in winter?
Most horses need 1.5–2% of their body weight in forage daily, and often more in cold weather.

2. Do horses need rugs in January and February?
Some do, some don’t. Age, clipping, condition, and breed matter more than temperature alone.

3. Is mud fever unavoidable in winter?
No, but wet conditions increase risk. Consistent hygiene and dry time reduce it significantly.

4. Can horses get dehydrated in winter?
Yes. Cold weather reduces drinking, making winter dehydration a common but overlooked issue.

5. Should turnout be avoided in very muddy conditions?
Not always. Controlled turnout with good footing is often better than prolonged stabling.