As the colder months roll in, it’s vital to adjust your care routine to meet the changing needs of your horse and here is our comprehensive winter‑care guide tailored for horse owners.
As the colder months roll in, it’s vital to adjust your care routine to meet the changing needs of your horse. Winter brings shorter daylight hours, colder temperatures and wetter, softer ground — all of which can affect your horse’s comfort, mobility and overall health. Here’s a comprehensive winter‑care guide tailored for horse owners — with a special spotlight on joint support using Arthri Aid Equine Joint Mobility Supplement.
Protect Against the Cold & Moisture
Shelter & turnout
- Ensure your horse has reliable shelter from wind and driving rain or snow. Even if you turn out daily, an open but sheltered run‑in shed or stable access is key.
- Turnout rugs should be checked and fitted properly — look for signs of rubbing or incomplete coverage. Changing weather means you may need a heavier rug (or an under‑rug) than in autumn.
- Horses standing on wet, soft ground for extended periods can be vulnerable to conditions like mud fever or thrush so try rotate turnout areas if possible.
- Monitor for behavioural changes: less movement, shivering, or staying tucked in a corner may indicate your horse is cold or uncomfortable.
Feeding for warmth
- Cold weather means your horse uses more energy simply to stay warm. Ensure good quality forage is always available — digesting hay helps generate heat.
- Consider increasing the forage-to‑concentrate ratio if weight starts to drop or coat looks dull.
- Ensure fresh, unfrozen water at all times — hydrated horses generate heat more effectively. Use heated buckets or insulating covers if necessary.
Coat & skin health
- Horses growing thicker winter coats may require less rugging indoors; be ready to adjust.
- Grooming helps to remove mud, debris and keeps circulation active. A clean, dry coat is more weather‑resistant.
- Inspect legs and hooves regularly for mud, crusting or signs of infection — change to a clean standing area if turnout is muddy.
Keeping Joint Mobility and Circulation
Cold weather can slow down circulation, reduce natural movement and make joints feel stiffer. Here’s how to keep your horse limber and comfortable:
Regular movement
- Try to turn out daily, even if just for short periods, to encourage natural movement.
- Indoors, hand‑walking or free‑lunging in a safe arena helps maintain mobility.
- Warm up thoroughly before ridden work; cold muscles and joints are more injury‑prone.
- After work, walk for 5–10 minutes to help cool down gradually — avoid standing in a sweaty rug in a cold stable immediately.
Warm‑up & cool‑down routine
- Use a light cooler or stable rug to wick away sweat and avoid chilling.
- Use stable boots or bandages to keep leg muscles warm after work, especially if turnout is still muddy or wet.
- Consider light massage or grooming of legs to stimulate circulation.
Joint support
Winter can exacerbate joint stiffness, especially in older horses or those with previous issues. This is where a targeted supplement can make a difference.
Enter Arthri Aid Equine Joint Mobility Supplement – this contains key ingredients such as Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) that help support joint cartilage regeneration, improve lubrication and reduce joint stiffness.
- Glucosamine assists in the body’s manufacture of cartilage.
- Chondroitin aids in lubrication and shock absorption of the joints.
- MSM (methyl‑sulfonyl methane) is a naturally occurring sulphur compound to support joint mobility.
- Sodium hyaluronate (HA) is the principal constituent of synovial fluid, nature’s “oil for joints”.
If your horse shows signs of stiffness, reduced mobility, or is a mature equine heading into winter, consider starting Arthri Aid Equine Joint Mobility Supplement at the initial “loading” dose (2 level scoops/20 g daily for 10‑15 days) then moving to a maintenance dose (1 level scoop/10 g) for an average adult 500 kg horse.
Hoof & Leg Care for Winter Conditions
Winter conditions can challenge hoof and leg health as much as the coat and mobility.
Hoof maintenance
- Maintain regular trimming schedules; softer winter ground may require different balance.
- Mud and moisture promote fungal/ bacterial conditions: keep standing areas dry, clean out mud build‑ups regularly.
- Use a suitable sole hardener or protective hoof oil if your horse is turned out in wet/muddy paddocks.
Leg protection
- Check boots/ bandages for correct fit, especially if your horse is wearing rugs indoors (legs may swell discretely).
- During turnout, if deep mud is present, consider limiting turnout length or using protective leg boots to reduce strain and wear.
Monitoring Health & Adjusting As Needed
- Keep an eye on weight, coat condition, muscle tone and attitude. Cold weather can hide creeping weight loss.
- Monitor for signs of joint discomfort: stiffness after turnout, reluctance to step up, shorter stride. If identified, intervention with movement and joint support (such as Arthri Aid Equine Joint Mobility Supplement) becomes even more important.
- For older horses or those with underlying conditions (arthritis, metabolic issues), winter is a higher‑risk time. Liaise with your vet to adjust feeding, turnout and management.
- Establish a consistent schedule: regular turnout, consistent feeding times, stable routines. Predictability helps your horse cope with the stress of changing seasons.
Winter doesn’t have to be a “down‑time” for your horse or for your yard routine — with thoughtful management you can keep your equine happy, active and healthy. If you’re especially concerned about joint health — particularly in a mature or performance horse heading into colder months — consider preparing now with Arthri Aid Equine Joint Mobility Supplement to help support joint lubrication and cartilage health. For more information, please contact a member of our expert team on 051 304010 or click here.
