Horse Winter Pasture Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

Winter management of horses at pasture involves significant welfare challenges including nutrition, shelter, hoofcare and social management.

Key Facts

UK winters can deplete grass nutritional value to near zero requiring full forage supplementation
Horses need access to ad-libitum forage in winter to maintain gut health and warmth
Water access can be compromised by frozen troughs - heated or checked twice-daily troughs are essential
Shelter from wind and rain is legally required for kept horses in the UK
Muddy winter paddocks cause significant welfare problems including mud fever and joint stress
Track systems or sacrifice paddocks reduce mud damage and maintain horse movement
Social isolation of individual horses over winter is a significant welfare concern

Welfare Considerations

Winter horse welfare at pasture requires active management rather than passive provision. Horses that appear to be turned out and left are at risk of nutritional deficiency, dehydration from frozen water, skin disease from mud, and psychological distress from isolation or competition. Regular welfare checks and proactive management of common winter welfare risks are the responsibility of every horse owner.

What You Can Do

Provide hay or haylage ad-libitum throughout winter when grass nutritional value is low
Check water sources twice daily in freezing conditions and use heated troughs or regular breaking of ice
Ensure adequate shelter from wind and rain with dry lying area accessible to all horses
Implement mud management strategies including track systems or appropriate field rotation