A general guide to wintering out

Winter can be one of the most challenging times for equestrians, especially if your horse spends the majority of his time outside. Emily Bevan investigates how we can winter out with success

WITH winter upon us, the short days, colder temperatures and wet weather are here. While for many owners, stabling their horses over the winter months is their preferred – and sometimes only – option, increasing numbers of owners are choosing to turn their horses out in the field full-time.

“Horses cope surprisingly well in the cooler temperatures and the vast majority are comfortable living out with the correct rugs and with sufficient land,” says Shirley Seed MRCVS, senior equine vet at Clyde Veterinary Group.

Having suitable land available for your horses to live on over the winter is essential. Talk to an expert and put some thought and planning into the management of your land, so you can use it to the best of its ability.

“People think land is just the thing under a horse’s feet, but it’s much more important than that, and you can’t winter lots of horses on a small amount of land without ruining it,” explains Miles Greenwood of Equine Pasture Maintenance. “You should look after your land like you would your horse. Managing your fields in the winter should be part of a year-round strategy. If winter fields are rough, then put them on spring lists for feed and aeration.

“Consider which fields are best and most convenient to use over the winter. If you’re doing your horse after work in the dark and you want them in the field closest to you, then rest that field from July until winter turnout is required, so it has as much grass cover as possible.”