Companion Animals

Horse Cold Weather Welfare Management

Cold weather poses welfare challenges for horses and ponies including hypothermia risk in young or elderly animals, increased energy requirements, and ice-related injury risk.

Key Facts

Horses can regulate body temperature in cold weather through coat, fat, and shelter use
Clipped horses lose their primary insulation and must be rugged in cold conditions
Feed intake must increase significantly in cold weather to maintain body temperature
Ice on fields and roads causes potentially fatal slip injuries
Elderly horses and foals are most vulnerable to cold-induced energy deficits

Welfare Considerations

Cold weather welfare depends on matching rugging, feeding, and shelter to individual needs. Over-rugging unclipped horses is as problematic as under-rugging clipped animals.

What You Can Do

Assess individual horses' need for rugging based on clipping status and body condition
Increase forage provision in cold weather to meet increased thermoregulatory energy needs
Check water sources twice daily in cold weather to prevent ice forming
Ensure adequate shelter access for all horses particularly elderly and young individuals