As the winter months approach, horse owners will be bracing themselves for the more challenging conditions of colder weather, short days, and poached up fields. It’s a time of adjustment when you and your horse will need to get used to a new routine. Here are some tips to help your horse remain happy and healthy this winter.
Introduce dietary changes gradually
It may be the case that your horse is making the transition from full turnout at grass to being stabled at night. This will involve feeding them extra hay and hard feed, which can upset their digestive system or even lead to colic, a potentially fatal disorder of the digestive tract.
To avoid undue stress on their digestion, introduce changes gradually by feeding smaller amounts and do not make a sudden switch from round the clock grass turnout to full time stabling. For extra support, consider adding a feed supplement such as Zeolite clay, which is a natural volcanic mineral.
The clay has a unique structure that enables it to bind with toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, helping to flush out harmful substances that may build up in an indoor environment. This reduces the risk of digestive problems and eases the general stress on your horses’ body during the autumn and winter.
It also enhances the absorption of essential nutrients, ensuring that your horse is well supported and able to maintain his condition and energy levels.
Prepare grazing pastures
If your horse will be turned out some or all of the time, it’s important that you take measures to avoid the fields becoming too poached up and muddy. This not only deprives your horse of natural grazing opportunities, but can also cause mud fever, a skin condition that is characterised by broken and damaged skin and can lead to infection and lameness.
Put some preventative measures in place to avoid overgrazing and excessive bogginess. Ideally, the fields should be surrounded by drainage ditches to divert rainwater away from the pasture. If you have enough land, use a rotational grazing system so that a section of the pasture has time to rest and recover.
Invest in yard maintenance
The harsher weather will also take its toll on the yard, so take some proactive steps to make sure everything is in good working order and get any repair work sorted out before the frost and ice starts to bite. Check roofs for broken or missing tiles, and clean out gutters and drains.
Check that all the lighting systems are working; it might be worth having them inspected by an electrician if there is anything you are unsure about, because electrical faults are a serious fire hazard on a yard.
Check your kit
Air off winter rugs, saddle cloths, and other seasonal gear, and check them over for any signs of wear and tear. If your horse has gained or lost weight over the summer, ensure that their winter rugs still fit them comfortably and are secure.
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