A fit horse during autumn and winter

Horses are naturally well equipped to adapt to seasonal changes. Still, autumn can bring a few areas that deserve some extra attention. Think of daily exercise, changes in forage and regular hoof care. With a few practical adjustments, you can give your horse a little extra support during the colder months. That’s why we’ve put together 5 useful tips. What should you pay attention to and what can you do yourself? Read on and help your horse head into autumn and winter well prepared.

1. Keep moving

During the colder months, the daily routine of many horses changes. They may spend more time in the stable, have less turnout and sometimes exercise less intensively. This makes it particularly important to keep your horse moving regularly.

When riding, allow some extra time for a gentle warm-up and cool-down so the muscles can gradually get to work and relax afterwards. Is your horse clipped? An exercise sheet can help keep them warm while walking before and after training.

You can also support the muscles through a well-balanced diet. Nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium and essential amino acids play a role in normal muscle function and development.

2. Give the hooves some extra attention

Wet fields, mud and, later in the season, hard or frozen ground: your horse’s hooves encounter a wide range of conditions during autumn and winter. Good hoof care therefore deserves some extra attention.

Pick out the hooves regularly, remove mud and dirt and provide a clean, dry surface whenever possible. Don’t forget to have the hooves checked and trimmed regularly by a farrier or hoof care professional.

A balanced diet can also support hoof quality from within. Nutrients such as biotin, zinc and sulphur play a role in the formation and maintenance of healthy hooves.

3. Provide plenty of fresh air

Many horses spend more time indoors during autumn and winter, making a fresh and pleasant stable environment especially important. Dust particles from hay and bedding, as well as ammonia from urine, can be present in stable air.

Make sure there is sufficient ventilation without exposing your horse to constant draughts. Keep the stable clean and take a critical look at both forage and bedding. Is your hay particularly dusty? Consider an alternative or look for ways to reduce the amount of dust released around feeding time.

There are also various herbs, such as fenugreek, lungwort, mullein and black cumin, that are traditionally used as additions to a horse’s daily diet.

4. Give the immune system some extra attention

Autumn brings several changes for your horse. Changing temperatures, the transition from pasture to stable, a different diet and, of course, the seasonal coat change all make this a good time to pay some extra attention to your horse’s immune system.

A good foundation starts with sufficient exercise, good-quality forage and a diet that meets your horse’s individual needs. If you want to complement the daily diet, various nutrients and herbs can be included depending on your horse’s individual requirements.

5. Make dietary changes gradually

The transition from summer to autumn often means a change in your horse’s diet as well. While grass may make up a large part of the menu during summer, many horses are fed more hay or haylage as autumn arrives. Gradual changes give your horse time to adjust to a new diet.

Make changes step by step and provide plenty of good-quality forage. Sufficient exercise and access to fresh drinking water are also important parts of good digestive management. If desired, the daily diet can be complemented with suitable nutrients or herbs based on your horse’s individual needs.

Ready for autumn

Autumn sometimes calls for slightly different care than the warmer months. With sufficient exercise, an appropriate diet, good daily care and attention to changing conditions, you can help your horse adapt to the colder season.

Most importantly, look at what your own horse needs. Every horse, diet and daily routine is different. By making conscious choices, you can adapt your horse’s care and diet to what suits them best during autumn and winter.