Plan a healthy year with your horse! Part 5: Autumn

By Harriet Linton

Seasonal guides

09 December 2008 09:20

Autumn brings darker nights and cooler weather – but don’t despair, there is still plenty you can do to keep your horse happy and healthy. This year, the clocks change on October 25, but at least you get an extra hour in bed (or at the yard!)

Winter rugs – time to shop for new winter rugs or get your old ones repaired/cleaned in advance.

Clipping – get your clippers repaired, cleaned or bought, or find someone you trust who can do the job for you!

Choosing bedding – choose your bedding wisely based on last years’ experience and your horse’s needs. If your horse suffers from respiratory problems such as RAO (recurrent airway obstruction), which is mostly seen in stabled horses, consider using a dust-free bedding combined with rubber matting.

Mud fever – mud fever can start in the autumn if conditions are particularly wet and muddy. This is a condition caused by bacteria in the soil entering the horse’s body through damaged skin or cuts. Ideally you should avoid prolonged exposure to muddy, wet conditions, but there are also plenty of products on the market designed to help. For more on this condition see here.

Grass growth spurt – Remember that grazing often has an autumn growth spurt, which can lead to a danger of laminitis in prone horses.

Dietary changes – start thinking about your horse’s autumn/winter diet. As discussed above use the months to help slim him down if he is overweight. If your horse has the opposite problem and is inclined to lose too much weight, start your winter feeding regime early, remembering to feed plenty of good quality forage rather than resorting to large cereal feeds, which can lead to fizzy behaviour. For more on diet and dietary changes contact any of the nutritional advicelines run by major feed companies like Baileys and Spillers.

Exercising – as the nights draw in it can be tricky to ride every day, so consider how you will keep your horse exercised. You could try keeping your horse supple and interested with stretching exercises or in-hand work.

Click here to read our guide to yearly health essentials
Click here to read our guide to Winter health
Click here to read our guide to Spring health
Click here to read our guide to Summer health
Click here to read our guide to Autumn health