7 Tips for Getting Through Winter as an Equestrian

Keeping your horses happy and comfortable throughout the long, cold winter can be a real challenge. After all, there are limited opportunities to ride outside when the temperature drops and daylight hours shorten. However, with the right planning, organisation, and adjustments to your horses' routines, you can keep them happy and healthy throughout the season while also keeping yourself comfortable. Here are some tips on how you can get through winter as an equestrian.

Invest In Feed Covers

There's nothing worse than preparing your horse's feed in advance and having to throw it away in the morning because it's frozen overnight. Investing in a feed cover can help to prevent this, and they are often cheaper than you might expect. Additionally, if you also need to wet your horse's hay, having to do it all in the morning to avoid it freezing can be challenging. However, you can also invest in a bale tidy that you can use to cover soaked nets to protect them from freezing in the cold. This way, you can get more done in advance without having to waste any feed or hay. 

Stay Dry With Waterproof Riding Coats

If you don't have access to an indoor arena and spend most of your winter riding outside, then you'll want to make sure you stay as dry as possible. Waterproof riding coats are a great option for equestrians that need to ride outdoors. A waterproof riding coat will not only keep your body dry but will also keep your legs dry too. 

Prepare The Winter Rugs

The weather can be unpredictable in winter, and you can never be sure what type of weather you will get. As such, it's important to prepare your horses' winter rugs well in advance. However, when you begin pulling out the rugs for winter, you may find some have been damaged due to mice or may not fit your horse anymore if they've grown or had weight changes. By preparing in advance, you can get new rugs before you need them if you find yours are no longer up to the task. If you need help finding the best winter rugs from the top brands on the market, head over to Equi Supermarket and check out their range.

Prevent Mud Fever Before It Starts

Mud fever is a skin condition that horses are prone to getting in the colder and wetter months of the year. It's non-contagious, meaning it cannot spread from one horse to another, but it does cause painful scabbing. There are many ways you can prevent mud fever in your horse, but the best way is to minimise the amount of time they spend in muddy fields. Additionally, if you are washing your horse's legs, the moisture can be a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause the condition, and you should always thoroughly dry your horse's legs once you've washed them. You can also consider turnout boots to add an extra protective barrier, as well as products like Cavalor MudDoc Mud Ointment or Lincoln Muddy Buddy Ointment, which add an antibacterial layer to your horse's legs to prevent bacteria from attaching.

Avoid Wet Feet With New Winter Boots

If you're living in an area that regularly gets heavy rainfall or has a lot of mud, you may want to invest in some new winter boots. Winter boots are designed to keep your feet dry and protected from the cold, which means you don't need to worry about leaky boots causing your feet or socks to get soaked when you inevitably need to trudge into the field to collect your horse. Winter boots have a wide range of sizes and designs, which means you'll be able to find the ideal pair for you.

Stay Safe On Hacks With Hi-Vis

If you frequently ride on public trails, you may want to invest in high-vis gear for you and your horse, especially if you're riding out during the winter months when visibility is lower. You can find a wide range of products to make sure that you and your horse are seen when out and about, including hi-vis tabards with lights, hat lights, and hi-vis exercise sheets. Additionally, if you're heading out on the roads, don't forget to protect yourself with a camera, as they're an excellent deterrent that helps encourage drivers to slow down when passing you.

Consider Stable Boredom Breakers

As winter rolls in, sometimes turnout may be impossible, and that means your horse might have to spend extended time in their stable. Even with a proper exercise routine, when they don't get any turnout, your horse may become bored, which can lead to developing vices such as windsucking or weaving. There are many ways you can keep your horse occupied during the winter. For example, you could invest in some toys that make them work for treats, or if your horse likes to chew, you could even invest in dog toys that you can hang around the stable for them to chew on.