News | 6 October 2025
Top Tips for Winter Horse Care
From Barrier Animal Health
With the colder weather starting, it’s time to consider preparations for winter equine care. Here are some top tips from Barrier Animal Health to keep your horses and ponies in tip-top condition this winter…
1. Secure Your Forage Supply
Winter forage planning is essential, especially following a challenging harvest season. Access to good-quality forage may be limited, so it’s important to calculate your horse’s forage requirements in advance.
Make sure you have enough to see you through the colder months and consider supplementing with alternative options such as bagged short-chop hay replacement feeds if supplies are tight.
2. Prevent Winter Skin and Hoof Infections
Conditions such as Mud Fever, Thrush, and Rain Scald thrive in damp environments, so prevention is key. Aim to keep your horse’s skin as dry as possible, and if you know they’ll be exposed to prolonged wet conditions, apply a protective barrier.
For example, Barrier Animal Health’s Heel to Hoof Soothing Cream can be used as a natural, breathable layer that shields against moisture and reduces the risk of these seasonal infections.
3. Monitor Your Horse’s Temperature
Every horse has its own “normal,” so it’s important to establish a baseline by routinely checking temperature. This gives you a valuable reference point if you’re ever concerned about your horse’s health during the winter. If you’re unsure how to do this safely, refer to The Manual of Horsemanship or ask a qualified Pony Club coach for guidance.
4. Regularly Check Body Condition
Monitoring your horse’s weight and fat coverage is vital through the winter months. Don’t rely on appearances alone. A thick, fluffy coat can easily mask weight loss or gain. Instead, remove rugs and physically assess body condition by placing your hands on the key scoring areas: the hindquarters, ribcage, and neck.
Pony Club Perks
Barrier Animal Health are proud to sponsor The Pony Club Spring Festival and are now offering a special discount for Pony Club members! When you buy Barrier products online at Viovet, you can enjoy 10% off. Click the link below to go to Pony Club Perks.