Horse Winter Pasture Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Managing horse welfare during winter when pasture quality declines and turnout conditions become challenging.

Key Facts

Horses turned out on bare winter pasture need supplementary forage to meet their nutritional requirements
Mud in winter paddocks causes skin conditions including mud fever and increases fall risk
Horses are well adapted to cold temperatures but need windbreaks and dry lying areas in wet conditions
Track systems or sacrifice paddocks protect pasture while maintaining horse turnout access
Social turnout is essential for horse welfare throughout winter, not just in good weather
Horses on restricted winter turnout require mental stimulation and enrichment in stabling

Welfare Considerations

Winter management presents horse owners with competing welfare considerations: maintaining pasture condition for spring while ensuring horses have adequate turnout, exercise, and social contact through cold months. Horses confined to stables during winter frequently develop behavioral problems from frustration and restricted movement. A system that provides daily turnout even in poor conditions — with appropriate mud management, supplementary forage, and social companionship — maintains better welfare than stable confinement with occasional access in good weather.

What You Can Do

Establish a designated winter turnout area or track system to maintain pasture while allowing daily horse access
Provide ad libitum hay in winter turnout areas to meet nutritional needs when grass is sparse
Ensure all turnout areas have adequate shelter from wind and rain, and a dry area to stand
Maintain social turnout rather than isolating horses in individual paddocks during winter
Monitor horses for winter skin conditions including rain scald and mud fever and treat promptly