© Wikipedia - Andy F

By Equestrian Life

Winter has well and truly set in, and along with all the mud and cold dark mornings that comes along with it, we horse owners are often left scratching our heads as to how to keep our four legged friends comfortable and dry throughout the colder months.

Winter temperatures can vary quite dramatically throughout the season, and a winter experienced in Victoria has little in common with winter in southern Queensland. 

There are a number of factors involved in developing a rugging regime for horses during the colder months, with climate, breeding, what the horse is used for, paddocking, dietary requirements and rider lifestyle all impacting on how to rug a certain horse.

From a clipped eventer to the beloved retiree and the scruffy Pony Club mount, as well as everything in between, there are a few universal tips and tricks that can help keep your horses and ponies happy and comfortable during the winter months.

Lifting Rugs: Even during the coldest and darkest months of the year, leaving a horse in the same rugs for months on end can make them uncomfortable and can have adverse affects on their health. 

From overheating to rubbing, it is important to alleviate pressure spots caused by the rug so that your horse remains comfortable. As a rule of thumb, lifting rugs at least once a week throughout winter can have a positive impact on his well being. Regularly checking for rub marks and pressure points with ill fitting rugs can also contribute to your horse’s comfort.

Waterproofing: It is important to ensure your horses rugs are water proof throughout the wetter months of the year. Conditions such as rain scald can develop if rugs are not adequately waterproof, as well fungal infections caused by warm moist environments when horses stay wet underneath rugs for a prolonged period.

Vitamin D: Allowing horses to get some sun on them on those few pleasant winter days when the sun does make an appearance from behind all of the doom and the gloom has benefits for his both his physical and mental health and wellbeing.

As with waterproofing, stripping a horse of some of his rugs on occasion can also help prevent fungal infections that can cause the mane and fur to rub out.

Travel arrangements: Overheating can be a serious cause of stress for some horses. In addition to monitoring the weather as well as your horses physiological response to your rugs (is he sweating with the doona rug on underneath, for example), considerations need to be made when rugging a horse when travelling.

Often it is unnecessary to have a horse fully rugged in the float or truck. They’re often in confined spaces, sheltered from the elements and may even experience some stress due to travelling. 

Adjusted Feeding: This obviously depends on the individual horse, its workload, breeding, how it is paddocked etc.

Throughout the colder months, it is important to consider that many horses require extra energy in order to stay warm. Increased roughage in their diet can help a horse maintain a healthy weight throughout winter, particularly if he is unrugged. 

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