Feeding: Essential Winter Horse Feeding Tips
Horses use more energy in winter to maintain body heat, meaning their diet needs careful management. Once frost hits, grazing quality drops rapidly, and horses will burn through their fat reserves built up during summer.
Key winter feeding tips include:
- Offer hay or haylage early in the season to avoid sudden dietary changes when grass disappears
- For horses in work, the heavy conditions underfoot mean they have to work harder. Combined with a drop in grazing quality, this means that they require more feed and forage to keep weight on.
- Store feed safely and practice good hygiene to reduce mite and pest activity.
- Most native ponies would become obese if they were to have access to unlimited quantities of food, even in very cold weather. An equine needs the right amount of food to keep it in good bodily condition. Look at the body of your horse or pony to check if it is in good condition; if so, it means that they are getting enough food.
Rugging Your Horse Correctly
Whether your horse needs a rug depends on their breed, age, workload and living environment. Clipped horses almost always require rugging in winter, while hardy breeds may manage perfectly without.
When using rugs:
- Remove rugs daily to check for rubbing, sweat build-up or skin irritation
- Monitor your horse’s weight to ensure the rug isn’t masking weight loss
- Adjust rug weight as temperatures change to avoid overheating
- Increase checks during wet or snowy spells, as damp conditions can encourage skin problems
Hydration: Preventing Frozen Water Supplies
Many owners assume horses drink more in summer, but winter increases dehydration risk. Summer grass contains around 80% water, whereas hay and haylage are dry and require additional hydration.
Important cold-weather horse care includes:
- Checking water supplies several times a day
- Breaking ice on troughs and buckets
- Providing warm water where possible to encourage drinking
- Using large buckets or insulated troughs to slow freezing
Good hydration is also essential for preventing impaction colic.
Shelter and Stabling in Winter
Shelter is vital during winter storms, freezing winds and heavy snowfall. Whether your horse lives out or stays stabled, protection from the weather is essential.
Keeping horses stabled in winter
If stabling overnight or permanently during the worst weather:
- Ensure plenty of ventilation
- Maintain deep, clean bedding
- Turn out whenever conditions allow to prevent boredom and stiffness
Field shelters for winter
Mobile field shelters are especially helpful during winter as they:
- Provide instant protection from rain, wind and snow
- Require no planning permission
- Can be moved to protect grazing and prevent poaching
They also offer valuable shade during summer, making them a year-round investment.
Turnout: Can You Turn Out Horses in Snow?
Whether you should turn your horse out in the snow depends on the weather conditions and the temperament of your horse. Professional yards often choose to keep horses stabled during icy spells because the risk of slipping or injury is much higher. However, if you have a sensible horse and your field is relatively flat, unfrozen and not heavily poached, turnout can actually be beneficial.
Horses that remain stabled for long periods may become grumpy, stressed, or difficult to handle, and the lack of movement can increase the risk of colic and dust allergies. Allowing a calm, sure-footed horse some time outside can help maintain their physical and mental well-being. Just remember that heavy snowfall can cause electric fencing tape to sag, so it will need checking and clearing regularly to ensure your boundaries remain safe and secure.
Can You Ride in the Snow?
Riding in the snow is also a matter of careful judgement. Some horses cope well with wintry conditions, while others may become tense or unpredictable when footing is uncertain. If you choose to ride, it helps to apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your horse’s feet to reduce snowballing and improve grip, although you should still proceed cautiously. Only ride a horse that you know is calm, confident and unlikely to spook on slippery ground. If the conditions at home are unsuitable, consider alternatives such as hiring an indoor school or exercising your horse on a beach where the footing may be more reliable.
Above all, prioritise safety for both you and your horse.
Horse Hoof Care in Winter
Hooves are particularly vulnerable during winter due to wet ground, ice and mud.
Daily winter hoof care should include:
- Picking out hooves at least once a day
- Checking for bruising, thrush, or ice build-up
- Maintaining regular farrier visits every 6 to 8 weeks
- Monitoring for excessive wetness, which can weaken the hoof wall
Good horse hoof care in winter helps prevent lameness and infection.
Maintaining Routine and Reducing Stress
Winter and the busy Christmas period often disrupt normal routines, but keeping your horse’s day as predictable as possible is important for reducing stress. Horses thrive on consistency, and they quickly become unsettled when feeding times, turnout and exercise schedules vary from day to day. A stable routine helps your horse feel secure and reduces behaviours linked to stress or boredom. If you know your own schedule will be irregular because of seasonal commitments, it is wise to arrange support in advance so that your horse can still be cared for at the same time each day. Reliable help ensures your horse remains settled and healthy even when your own routine becomes demanding.
Stock Up on Supplies Before Snow Arrives
Heavy snow or icy roads can prevent deliveries and make travelling dangerous.
Essential supplies to stock up on include:
- Hay and feed
- Bedding
- Rugs
- Supplements
- First aid items
Suppliers also close for several days over Christmas, so ordering early avoids shortages. It is worth investing in a hay barn to keep your stored hay protected from damp, mould, and pests.
Fireworks: Keeping Your Horse Safe
Fireworks are no longer reserved for Bonfire Night. Christmas and New Year celebrations often involve loud displays that can frighten horses.
Plan ahead by:
- Checking local event announcements
- Bringing horses into a safe, secure stable if needed
- Providing plenty of forage to reduce stress
- Playing a radio to mask sudden noises
Preparation greatly improves their safety and comfort.
Winter Enrichment and Exercise
When icy ground restricts turnout, boredom can soon become an issue.
Try offering enrichment such as:
- Apples floating in water buckets
- Lick-safe toys
- Ground poles or indoor hand walking
Exercise is still essential, and turnout should continue whenever conditions allow.
Planning for Time Away
If you plan to travel during the holidays, arrange reliable care well in advance. Horses need daily company, feeding, watering, and exercise. A trusted, knowledgeable carer is essential for winter well-being.
Spending Time with Your Horse
Winter can make everything feel rushed, but spending time grooming or simply being with your horse strengthens your bond. Horses are herd animals and take comfort in companionship, so your presence genuinely matters.
Keep Your Horse Happy and Healthy This Winter
With thoughtful management, consistent routines and the stabling, winter can be a comfortable and enjoyable season for your horse. Prioritise warmth, shelter, feeding, hydration and safe turnout, and you can look forward to a healthy, stress-free winter together.
Investing in proper stabling is essential to keep your horse happy and healthy, especially in the winter months. We design, craft, and install top-quality timber equine buildings, such as horse stables, mobile field shelters, American barns, and more, throughout the UK and Europe.
Call our friendly team to discuss your project or request a free brochure.
