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Winter Horse Care: Riding Tips

Updated: Apr 11, 2024

As winter comes, equestrians face a unique set of challenges. These challenges are different depending on the geographical area you live in and on the conditions you have. In this guide, we'll explore the different approaches to winter horse care, depending on your facilities help and horse living set. Also, we’ll give some considerations for riding in the winter especially if you don’t have an indoor arena. From snow to rainy weather, we will cover it all to ensure your horse stays happy and healthy all winter long.



Horse in the snow


Winter Horse Care Essentials

We need to adapt horse care for every season and winter is one of the hard-working ones. Of course, winter doesn’t look the same everywhere, some parts of the world have snow, others have wind and heavy rain and it is important to tailoring your care measures for different winters.


Clipping and blanketing

If the horses live in a box, you should clip him/her. This will not only prevent that they get these ugly winter hairs, but also prevent colds, because the hair makes it harder for them to dry after working. If they live in the fields is better not to clip them.

However, if you clip your horse you have to use blankets, even inside. If your horse goes outside, the blanket should be waterproof and insulated so that the horse keeps warm and dry. Also, you should monitor temperature fluctuations. Some places have big temperature differences between night and day and you should adjust blanketing accordingly to prevent overheating or chilling. This means putting blankets at night and removing them during the day, even when they are in the paddock. Also, if horses live in groups wearing blankets might be impossible, because they will break all the blankets.

 



 

Nutritional Supplements

You can also supplement your horse's diet with additional nutrients to support their immune system and increase their body fat before and during winter. You should supplement especially the horses that live outside. Some people give beets when the weather starts to cool down as a way to increase energy intake. Beets usually comes in the form of a mash, but you should really moist it to prevent obstruction of the oesophagus. For the immune system supplements there are several commercial options available, we like Science Supplements, but if you have other suggestions feel free to tell us.

 


Horse beets

 

Snow Weather

In regions with heavy snowfall, invest in waterproof and insulated blankets to keep your horse warm and dry.


Hoof Care

Regularly check for snowball accumulation in hooves or protect them from the snow. These snowballs get hard as rock and can cause discomfort and bruises and imbalances that can make the horses fall. Usually when the horses are barefoot it’s not such a problem, but is they have shoes you need to protect them. There are some farrier options.

 

You can also use hoof grit or pitons. The grits come in the form of a … that you glue inside of the shoe. As for the pitons, the best ones are the ones that you can screw in and out, because they don’t alter the hoof structure. The pitons for the snow are the ones with the little metal balls on top, they get wearied out with time and they get sharper. Stephan likes the Mordax ones. Just remember, if you are going to use pitons you have to ask your farrier to put special shoes that you can screw the pitons on.


 

Rain Weather

Some regions have a lot of rain during the winter. In these cases, ensure your horse has access to adequate shelter during heavy rain to prevent chilling. Also, be careful with the blankets you use, because if they are not waterproof or they are getting a little old they can get soaked and prevent the horse from drying even when the rain is over. Horses not being able to dry can lead to them getting sick.

 


 

Hoof care

Wet conditions can soften hooves. So, you should regularly pick them and check for signs of thrush. However, if the hooves are very soft, you should pick them carefully not to cause lesions. Horses that usually live in wet areas can also get a specific hoof conformation, this is normal and should not be corrected.




Also, in humid conditions horses can develop scabs and broken skin, especially if they have white feet. This condition is multifactorial and can be very painful and difficult to treat, so the best approach is prevention. There is also a mud powder from Keratex that works very well, but you have to be careful not to dry the skin too much.

 


Keratex mud shield powder

 

Riding in the Winter

Riding in the winter can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t have an indoor arena. Luckily there are some measures you can take to make the experience more pleasant for you and your horse.

 

The first thing you need to know is that you should always try to have warm hands and feet, because if you have cold hands, you cannot hold the reins properly. Also, a good trick you can do is to use layers to ride and remove the outer layer when exercising and put it on immediately when you stop, especially if you are riding in an indoor arena. Stephan really likes to wear long chaps to ride in the winter and there are even special warm ones you can wear.

 


heated socks

 

As for your horse, you should make sure you have a good warm-up routine, because if the horse slips when still cold, he/she can really get hurt. You can also consider using blankets for riding, you can attach them to the saddle so that they don’t slip. If you go outside with your horse, remember that, in winter, it gets dark soon, so you should always use reflecting bands and lights to prevent accidents.

 



 

Riding in the snow

The first thing you need to know about riding in the snow is that, apparently, horses feel the snow and they always get nervous a day before the snow. According to Stephan, they get an itch in the but. You should also choose riding areas with stable and safe footing to prevent slips and pay attention to the formation of ice in the arenas. When riding in the snow, engage in moderate rides to keep your horse active without tiring too much in the snow. If you go out in a group, regularly change the horse that goes in front not to tire it too much.


Riding in the rain

When it rains, be very careful of wet arenas and muddy trails, especially in turns. Also, pay attention to friction areas and always make sure your horse is dry before turning him in.


Girl with horse in the snow

As winter sets in, knowing how to properly take care of your horse becomes crucial for both equine well-being and for a more peaceful wintertime riding. Tailor your care routine to suit the specific needs of your horse as well as to the type of winter you are facing. Whether you are dealing with snow or heavy rains, the key is adaptability. Remember, keeping your horse warm and dry ensures optimal health and the same goes for you. What about you? What is your go-to winter care measure?


See you next week,

Isabel and Stephan

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