December 12, 2025
Winter Horse Care Guide: Essential Tips for Cold Weather
As the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, the routine at the barn inevitably shifts. Winter brings a distinct quiet beauty to the stables, but it also presents a unique set of challenges for horse owners. The biting cold, frozen ground, and limited grazing require a proactive approach to management to ensure your equine partner remains healthy and comfortable.
At Gladiator Equine, we understand that maintaining peak condition doesn’t stop when the snow falls. Whether you are managing a high-performance athlete or a beloved companion, the principles of winter care remain the same: prioritizing warmth, hydration, and nutritional support. By making strategic adjustments to your daily management, you can help your horse navigate the colder months with ease.
Providing Shelter and Warmth
Horses are remarkably adaptable animals, capable of growing thick winter coats that provide natural insulation. However, domestic horses — especially those in work or with clipped coats — often require human intervention to maintain their body temperature effectively.
1. The Importance of Shelter
Access to shelter is non-negotiable during the winter. A three-sided run-in shed is often sufficient for pastured horses, allowing them to escape the wind and wet weather. Wind and moisture are far more detrimental to a horse’s ability to stay warm than cold temperatures alone.Â
If a horse’s coat becomes wet and matted, the hair can no longer loft (stand up) to trap heat against the skin, leading to a rapid loss of body heat.
2. Blanketing Strategies
Blanketing is a topic of much debate in the equestrian world, but the decision ultimately depends on your individual horse’s needs.
- Unclipped Horses: A horse with a full winter coat may only need a waterproof turnout sheet to stay dry during rain or snow.
- Clipped Horses: If your horse is clipped for winter work, heavy blanketing is essential to compensate for the loss of natural insulation.
- Senior Horses: Older equines often struggle to thermoregulate and may require heavier layers even if unclipped.
Regularly check under blankets for rubbing, sweet itch, or changes in body weight. It is easy to miss a drop in body condition when it is hidden beneath a heavy rug.
Nutritional Adjustments for Cold Weather
Keeping warm requires energy. As the mercury dips, your horse burns more calories simply to maintain their core body temperature. This metabolic increase means their dietary needs shift significantly compared to the warmer months.
3. Forage is the Best Heater
Many owners instinctively reach for extra grain when it gets cold, but forage is actually the superior fuel for warmth. The fermentation of fiber in the horse’s hindgut generates internal body heat — essentially acting as an internal furnace.
During extreme cold snaps, providing free-choice high-quality hay is the most effective way to help your horse stay warm. If your horse tends to be an easy keeper, look for hay with lower sugar content so you can feed more volume without risking metabolic issues.
4. Monitoring Weight
Winter coats can be deceiving. A fluffy coat can hide ribs, making a thin horse look robust. Get your hands on your horse frequently to body score them. If you notice weight loss, consider adding a fat supplement or a high-calorie fiber source like beet pulp to their diet rather than just increasing sugary concentrates.
Water and Hydration
One of the most common causes of winter colic is impaction caused by dehydration. Horses naturally drink less water when it is cold, yet their need for hydration remains high, especially if their diet consists largely of dry hay.
5. Temperature Matters
Research suggests that horses prefer water that is between 45°F and 65°F, particularly older horses. Ice-cold water can shock their system or simply be unappealing, leading to reduced intake.
- Heated Buckets: Using tank heaters or heated stall buckets encourages horses to drink more consistently.
- Salt Intake: Ensure your horse has access to loose salt or a salt block. Sodium stimulates the thirst mechanism. You can also top-dress their feed with a tablespoon of salt daily to encourage drinking.
- Breaking Ice: If you don’t have heaters, checking troughs twice daily to break ice is critical. Snow is not a substitute for water; a horse would have to eat an immense volume of snow to meet their hydration needs, lowering their body temperature in the process.
Managing Hoof Care in Winter
The ground conditions in winter — ranging from frozen ruts to deep mud — can wreak havoc on hooves. Even though hoof growth slows down in colder months, regular farrier visits are essential to prevent cracks and imbalances.
6. Ice and Snow Buildup
A major hazard for shod horses is the accumulation of ice balls inside the shoe. These hard, compacted mounds of snow can make it feel like the horse is walking on high heels, leading to strains, sprains, and dangerous slips.
- Snow Pads: Ask your farrier about rim pads or full snow pads that pop the snow out as the horse walks.
- Barefoot Options: Some owners choose to pull shoes for the winter to allow the hoof to expand naturally and shed snow more easily.
7. Thrush and Mud Fever
Wet, muddy environments are breeding grounds for bacteria and fungi. Mud fever (scratches) affects the sensitive skin on the pasterns, while thrush attacks the frog of the hoof. Keep your horse’s legs and hooves as dry as possible. If your horse stands in mud, ensure they have a dry area to retreat to for a significant portion of the day.
Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Reduced turnout time and icy arenas often lead to a decrease in exercise, but movement is vital for gut motility and joint health. A sedentary horse is more prone to stiffness and behavioral issues.
8. Safe Exercise
If the footing allows, keep your horse in work. However, remember that cold muscles are less elastic and more prone to injury. Extend your warm-up and cool-down periods. Walking for at least 10–15 minutes before asking for more strenuous work allows the synovial fluid in the joints to lubricate effectively.
9. Beating Boredom
If riding isn’t safe due to ice, consider groundwork or hand-walking. Mental stimulation is just as tiring as physical exertion. Teaching your horse new tricks, utilizing slow-feeder hay nets, or providing stable toys can keep their mind engaged and prevent the development of stall vices like cribbing or weaving.
Keep Your Horse Thriving This Season
Winter care requires diligence, but the reward is a happy, healthy horse ready to perform when spring arrives. By focusing on the fundamentals of shelter, fiber-rich nutrition, consistent hydration, and regular hoof care, you can mitigate the risks associated with the cold.
At Gladiator Equine, we are dedicated to supporting your horse’s health and performance year-round. Our range of therapeutic products is designed to support circulation and recovery, which is especially crucial during the cold months when stiffness sets in.
Ensure your horse stays at the top of their game this winter. Shop through Gladiator Equine’s collection today for advanced solutions in equine care.
