Before winter, sort your forage supply, review rugs and clipping, book farrier and dental checks, prepare fields and hardstanding, plan water against freezing, and body condition score so the horse goes into winter well.
Sort the forage
Grazing fades in winter, so line up a reliable supply of good hay or haylage before you need it, and check storage is dry. Plan to feed more forage in cold snaps, using a slow feeder so it lasts and keeps the horse warm from the inside.
Review rugs and clipping
Check rugs are clean, repaired and waterproof before the wet arrives, and decide whether to clip based on the horse’s workload. Have the right turnout rugs in the weights you will need, and repair or replace anything worn.
Book routine care
Get farrier and dental checks done before winter, since good feet cope better with mud and a healthy mouth keeps condition on when forage is the main feed. Review worming and make sure vaccinations are up to date going into the harder months.
Prepare fields and water
Set up hardstanding at gateways and troughs, improve drainage, and plan how you will keep water from freezing, whether by breaking ice, insulating troughs or using heated drinkers. A little groundwork now saves misery in January.
Get condition right
Body condition score before winter. A horse in good, not fat, condition copes best, while a thin horse will struggle in the cold. Adjust feeding in autumn so the horse enters winter well, and keep scoring through the season to catch any weight loss early.
