Preparing Your Horse for the Changing Seasons: Autumn Essentials Guide

As summer fades, the darker skies start to appear earlier, and the days start cooling off, it’s worth thinking about how the change in season will affect your horse. Colder mornings, wetter weather, and shorter days tend to shift their needs. Getting ahead of those changes now can save you from problems later on.

Here’s a simple breakdown of things to keep in mind for your equestrian animals this autumn.

Take a Look at Their Rugs

When night temps drop below 10°C, that light summer rug probably isn’t enough anymore. A waterproof or midweight turnout rug for your horse is a better fit for this time of year. It’ll keep them warm, but not too warm.

Layering can be really useful too. Try using a light rug underneath a waterproof one, so you can adjust things more easily if the weather flips midday.

And don’t forget to check under the rug now and then. Feel around the shoulders and chest. You want the area to feel warm and dry. If it’s sweaty, the rug might be too heavy.

Keep Joints Moving Smoothly

With damp air and more time inside, some horses start to show signs of stiffness, this doesn’t just apply to older horse, but also ones still in regular work. If they’re not moving around as much, you might notice they’re not as free in their movement.

Horse joint supplements with MSM, glucosamine, or chondroitin can be useful. A bit of warming liniment before exercise can help them get going, and a cooling gel after can support recovery. If they’re stabled for longer stretches, wraps or stable bandages might help keep their legs comfortable.

Feeding Might Need a Tweak

Once the grass starts to lose quality and turnout is reduced, your horse might need a little extra. Some need more hay, others benefit from conditioning feeds like Baileys Outshine or Dodson & Horrell Build-Up Cubes.

Don’t forget about gut health. Changing feed or forage can unsettle things, so adding a prebiotic like Baileys Digest Plus can help things stay balanced.

And even if it’s cooler, a horse in regular work might still sweat a fair bit. Keep up with electrolytes where needed.

Browse our extensive range of equestrian feeds to find the perfect nutrition for your horse’s autumn needs.

Make the Stable a Nicer Place to Be

With wetter weather ahead, your horse may be spending more time indoors. That means bedding matters more. You’ll want something absorbent and soft that keeps them dry and supported.

Aubiose hemp bedding or Bedmax shavings are solid options. If you’ve got rubber matting down too, even better. It adds comfort and a bit of insulation, which can be really helpful in colder months.

Explore our selection of equestrian bedding to keep your horse comfortable throughout the autumn months.

Mud and Skin Care Go Hand in Hand

Autumn brings more rainy days which in turn cause a lot of mud. Aside from tough walking conditions, mud can bring along health problems such as mud fever if you’re not careful.

Daily grooming really helps. Focus on the legs, especially around the fetlocks and pasterns. Use firm but gentle brushes to get dried mud off without irritating the skin.

It’s a good habit to check for any signs of trouble on your horse, including heat, swelling, or sore spots. Barrier cream can help protect clean, dry legs before turnout. Just make sure that your horse is completely dry after washing.

View our horse grooming range for a selection of helpful products.

Get Ahead While It’s Still Easy

Right now, before the worst of the weather arrives, is a great time to stock up on the essentials. Stable bedding, feed, supplements, waterproofs are just a few of the essentials you’ll need for the cold months ahead. You’ll thank yourself later.

Also, get those farrier or vet appointments booked. It’s often harder to coordinate once the season kicks in fully.

Think about what your horse needs. Older horses might want a bit more joint care. Youngsters might find longer stable hours frustrating. If you’re still training or competing, shorter days might mean switching up your routine.