horse owner
Autumn has officially arrived, and somehow, it’s gotten even wetter outside. After a wet winter, spring and summer, it seems that the rather grey skies and muddy ground is set to stick around for the foreseeable future. But one thing is guaranteed at this time of year: over the coming months, it will get darker, colder and probably wetter (if the latter is even possible). That’s why this month’s blog is all about how to get your yard and your beloved horse ready for winter. We hope these tips will help you stay sane during those cold, dark mornings and ensure your horse is in tip top shape for whatever you’re doing with them this winter.
How to prepare your yard for the winter months
Check your yard lights
Make sure all your yard lights work before the nights draw in anymore, and certainly well before the clocks go back at the end of October. That way, you have some time to replace burnt out bulbs or get an electrician to visit if there are any more serious issues. Of course, the same applies for arena lights, tack room heating and any other electrics that may not have been used for a few months.
Clear drains and gutters
When leaves are falling and there’s lots of mud around, your drains, gutters and downpipes can quickly get blocked. No-one wants a flooded yard, especially not when it's dark and cold outside, so make sure you keep gutters and drains clear of debris. If you’ve got a good handyman or farmer on your team, get them to check culverts and drains around your field too - you might just thank them when you’re not battling flooded grazing come midwinter…
Get ahead of freezing weather
Our weather forecasters can usually give us accurate predictions for when very cold weather is likely to arrive, but why not be prepared in case the ice and snow coincides with a busy time at your yard? Make sure you’ve got salt and grit to spread in case of ice and a snow shovel to hand in case we wake up in a winter wonderland in a few months’ time. You might also want to collect some empty plastic bottles to float in troughs and drinkers to stop them freezing over as well.
How to keep your and your horse happy throughout winter
Make a plan that suits your lifestyle
Winter is definitely a time for realism for horse owners. With dark mornings and evenings, icy roads and wet bridleways, can you ride enough to keep your horse fit? And can you keep their training varied enough to keep them interested? For those of you who keep your horse on full livery, the answer is probably yes, if you’re on DIY livery or keep your horse in a field, the answer might not be so clear. We recommend you make a plan for what you would like to do with your horse - from turning them away for the winter months to competing every weekend - bearing in mind your personal constraints and opportunities.
Clip them if they’re staying in work
That way they’ll stay more comfortable in hard work and it’s easier to get sweat off their skin. If your horse is being turned away completely, let their coat grow out as it’s the best way to help them stay warm and in good condition. If you’re not sure, consider a trace or bib clip so that they can keep most of their coat in place.
Change their routine gradually
It’s tempting to put a date in the diary for when you’ll change from a summer to winter routine - perhaps switching from 24/7 turnout to in at night - but ideally you want slower changes. The drier forage can be tougher on their gut and there’s the mental changes to consider too. So, perhaps try reducing their turnout time and standing them in for a few hours in the evening, before making a total switch.
Bulk buy to save money
If you have the space to store it, you can save money by buying feed and bedding by the pallet. The same can also be true for hay and haylage, so shop around and if you have storage, get ahead now. Forage is essential for good gut health, and the latest studies show horses are more likely to suffer from ulcers if they’re starved of forge during the day than they are at night, so bear that in mind too!
Sort out your rugs now
If you ever had the chance to pack away your turnout rugs (has it ever rained this much in summer before…), now is the time to get everything out and check to see if they need reproofing, cleaning or mending. If you don’t have racks to dry rugs, see if there’s anywhere you can carve out space for a drying rack - a garage at home, a shed?! You’ll be so thankful when you’re rotating rugs and desperately trying to get rugs dry!
We hope these tips help both you and your horse stay sane and in good shape as the colder months approach. There’s no doubt that winter is a testing time for horse owners, so make sure to plan where you can, get ahead of the weather and take care of yourself as well as your horse!