Companion Animals

Horse Winter Pasture Welfare

Managing horses on winter pasture requires careful attention to nutritional needs, ground conditions, and shelter provision.

Key Facts

Grass provides negligible nutritional value for horses in UK winters
Poached, waterlogged paddocks cause hoof problems including mud fever and white line disease
Field shelter is a welfare necessity for horses kept outdoors in winter
Track systems and sacrifice paddocks protect pasture while maintaining outdoor access
Native breeds are more cold-tolerant but all horses need adequate shelter in severe conditions

Welfare Considerations

Inappropriate winter management leads to nutritional deficiency, hoof disease, and hypothermia in horses. Good winter planning with supplementary feeding, shelter, and field management is essential for welfare.

What You Can Do

Supplement winter pasture with adequate hay or haylage
Provide a waterproof field shelter large enough for all horses in the group
Manage poached ground by limiting turnout time during wet periods
Implement a track system to reduce pasture damage during winter
Check horses twice daily in winter and adjust rugging to weather conditions