Winter horse and land care

Checking frozen troughs, managing muddy gateways, constantly changing rugs with the crazy temperature fluctuations – it’s all part of the winter routine. It’s a season where small daily decisions add up quickly, affecting not just our horse’s comfort and condition, but how well our fields and equipment last through to spring too.

Keeping horses well through colder months doesn’t mean massive changes. It’s usually steady management, matching rugs to the actual weather rather than the calendar, feeding for condition instead of habit, and noticing how our turnout areas are coping. The same choices that support our horse’s welfare often protect our pasture and reduce unnecessary waste at the same time.

Ground conditions are often where winter shows up first. When gate areas and high-traffic paths become churned up, the risk of slips and strains rises, and pasture recovery can be set back for months. Rotating access where possible and reinforcing worn entrances with suitable footing all help limit damage. Fields that come through winter in better shape need less repair and recover faster when that spring growth eventually returns.

Feeding patterns shift in colder weather too. Horses use more energy to keep warm, but wasted forage is common, especially when hay is fed directly on wet ground or stored where damp can get in. Feeders reduce trampling losses and dry storage helps prevents spoilage. Always adjust quantities to what’s being eaten can help avoid waste and repeat purchases.

Rugging is another area where care and practicality meet. A well-fitted rug that’s been repaired and reproofed will usually outperform a cheaper replacement bought in a hurry. Many rugs can be patched, restitched and waterproofed several times over, extending their life by years rather than months. Some suppliers and charities now offer recycling routes for end-of-life rugs too, which helps reduce heavy textile waste.

Energy use naturally increases around yards in winter because of dark mornings and evenings. Good lighting is essential for safety, but it’s easy for tack rooms, feed stores and barns to stay lit longer than needed. Switching off when areas are empty, using timers or motion sensors, and keeping skylights and windows clean (so they actually let daylight in!) can trim electricity use without changing routines. Where yard owners have a choice, renewable electricity tariffs are becoming more affordable and can really lower overall carbon impact of the stables. Done consistently, those choices support horse welfare first and leave land, resources and kit in better condition for the seasons ahead.

At Agria, we support practical, preventative horse care, where doing the basics well protects both animal wellbeing and the environments they depend on. To learn more about our sustainability work, visit our website here: https://www.agriapet.co.uk/sustainability/