Winter Horse Care: How To Keep Your Horse Healthy & Happy

Winter in Essex brings cold, wet, mud and shorter days — and it’s easy for horses to lose condition or pick up minor ailments if you’re not prepared. Here’s what we do at Crockleford Stud to keep everything running smoothly from autumn through to spring.

Keep Them Dry & Draught-Free

Shelter is everything. Whether stabled or turned out, they need somewhere dry and out of the wind. Bedding should be deep and kept clean — wet bedding leads to chills and respiratory issues. For turned-out horses, a good field shelter or a well-fitted rug is essential.

Adjust Feed For The Cold

Horses burn far more calories just keeping warm when temperatures drop. Forage is the most important part — hay or haylage keeps them warm from the inside out. You may need to increase hard feed or add a conditioning supplement if they’re losing weight. Always have fresh water available — ice can build up fast!

Manage Mud & Skin Health

Mud fever, cracked heels and rain scald are the biggest winter enemies. Pick out hooves daily, dry legs thoroughly after bringing in, and use a barrier cream or ointment on heels in muddy weather. Turn out in well-drained areas where possible, and keep fields poo-picked to reduce infection risk.

Rug Care & Management

Fit matters more than brand — an ill-fitting rug causes rubs and discomfort. Check under rugs every day, and clean and repair them through the season. Use a rug wash and reproofer once or twice during winter to keep them waterproof.

Don’t Neglect Exercise & Hoof Care

Even in bad weather, keep some light movement going — hand-walking or in-hand work keeps circulation up and prevents stiffness. Keep up with farrier visits and regular hoof checks — wet hooves are softer and more prone to bruising or cracking.
These are the products and routines we use day-to-day at the stud. If you’d like more detailed recommendations, we’ve put together our trusted list of winter care essentials.