🚨 BLACK FRIDAY SALE NOW ON | UP TO 20% OFF STOREWIDE | LOWEST PRICES OF THE YEAR 🚨x

Winter Horse Management

Winter Horse Management

With temperatures finally dropping, equestrians everywhere are preparing for the arrival of winter.

Riding in the winter can be quite magical, but it’s crucial to ensure that you are taking all necessary steps to ensure that your horse is properly cared for during those cold winter months.

Here’s some information that will help you with your winter horse management.

 

Winter Horse Management

Rugging 

Ensuring that you’re correctly rugging your horse is an essential part of their winter care. 

Keeping an eye on the weather on a daily basis is important; you want to avoid blanketing your horse with a rug that is not made for the weather that you are experiencing.

A rug that is too thin or light can lead to your horse being too cold, and a rug that is too heavy or thick can lead to overheating.

  • Lightweight turnout rugs provide warmth for clipped horses in temperatures ranging from 40-50 degrees, and unclipped horses in temperatures ranging from 30-40 degrees.
  • Medium turnout rugs are to be used for clipped horses in temperatures ranging from 30-40 degrees, and unclipped horses in temperatures ranging from 20-30 degrees.
  • Heavy turnout rugs provide adequate warmth for clipped horses in temperatures ranging from 20-30 degrees, and unclipped horses in temperatures ranging from 10-20 degrees.

 

winter horse management

Hoof Care

Have your farrier come out in the fall to ensure that your horse’s hooves are trimmed and healthy, and that all shoes are in good shape.

In the case that any bad weather comes through, you will be able to rest assured knowing that you won’t have to worry about your horse throwing a loose shoe or splitting a hoof. 

Large amounts of snow and fluctuating temperatures lead to large amounts of mud, which can cause issues in the hooves such as thrush or abscesses.

Make sure that your horse is not spending an excessive amount of time in the mud and snow.

Make sure to check the back legs of your horse for evidence of mud fever, and to dry them with a towel if they are damp or wet.

When you bring them into their stall, make sure that they have plenty of warm and dry bedding.

 

winter horse management

Feeding

Fiber digestion helps your horse regulate their body warmth.

As the weather gets colder, you may want to adjust the amount of forage they are given to help them regulate their body temperature and stay warm.

Of course, increased forage consumption can pose issues for impaction if not properly managed.

Make sure you increase their water intake; providing them with a salt lick can help encourage them to stay hydrated, as well.

 

 winter horse management

Staying Hydrated

Most cases of equine dehydration occur in the winter.

Make sure that water buckets are monitored throughout the day to ensure that they have not become frozen, and invest in rubber buckets to avoid issues with cracking due to temperature extremes. 

 

winter horse management

Clipping

Heavy winter coats can take quite a while to fully dry, which can pose a risk to your horse.

Clipping the coat is a great way to ensure that all moisture is able to fully dry from the coat.

If you choose to clip your horse’s coat in the winter, make sure that you adjust their blankets accordingly to make sure that they are able to stay warm.

Winters can be tough, but equestrians are well-known for being even tougher. Following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to keep your horse healthy and happy this winter.


For more informative equestrian blog posts, check out our blog.


To browse our inventory of paddock cleaning tools, click here.




Genuine reviews from very happy people

Received in quick time. Does exactly what it should do, just got to get the speed right. Any little bits missed I simply let dry out and chain harrow over. Very impressed. Could do with a tractor sized version though! Thank you for an excellent product

Paul Evans

Upon receiving the paddock blade, I have been nothing but impressed saving huge amounts of time and keeping the yard to the highest possible standard.
I recommend and congratulate Paddock Blade UK for bringing this amazing tool into Horse management.

Roland Tong

Great bit of kit, works well in our paddocks. Looking forward to riding in all the spare time I’ll have not poo picking! Video in comments of it in action!

Ruth Jacobs

I was so dubious that this would work for me. I have very bumpy rig and furrow fields. I’m pleased to say I was wrong. I had to go over the field a number of times but I have a clear field and a huge pile of droppings.

Can’t wait to use this each week to ensure my fields are kept poo free!

Helen Chester

Excellent purchase Received in quick time! Our fields are not flat and we have had no issues. Very impressed I will never use a wheel barrow again.
Thank you for an excellent product and excellent customer service.

Beth Mclean

BEST PURCHASE EVER !

Received our paddock blade on Friday and honestly couldn’t be more thrilled with it. It’s easy to use, does a fabulous job and really couldn’t recommend it enough! To top it off the entire process was hassle free too.

Rhian Mullis

Top quality item and excellent customer service. Oh and you can do a 2 acre field that hasn’t been done in a month (or two) in under an hour!

Jon Davis

Awesome piece of kit and don’t know how we have gone so long without one.

Victoria Wallace

Paddock blade – one of the best tools ever. Easy to use, easy to tow, makes light work of the fields. Saves tonnes of time, picks up every bit and even levels the field out while it’s going. Highly Highly recommend.

Joe Castles

1B West Coppice Road, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7HB

Call - 07340 748 027