Companion Animals

Horse Winter Welfare Management

Winter presents specific welfare challenges for horses including hypothermia, nutritional stress, and inadequate shelter.

Key Facts

Native pony breeds are well adapted to cold but horses clipped for work need rugging
Horses need a daily minimum of 1.5-2 percent of bodyweight in forage to maintain warmth
Frozen water sources prevent horses from meeting daily water requirements of 30-50 litres
Mud fever (pastern dermatitis) is a painful skin condition common in wet winter conditions
Elderly horses and poor doers need additional welfare monitoring through winter months

Welfare Considerations

Winter welfare management is a critical responsibility for horse owners. Failure to provide adequate forage, shelter, and water in cold conditions leads to rapid weight loss, hypothermia, and preventable suffering. Monitoring body condition through regular scoring is essential to detect welfare problems early.

What You Can Do

Check horses at least twice daily and provide additional forage in cold weather
Ensure water sources cannot freeze and check them every day
Monitor body condition score monthly using the standard 1-9 scale
Provide adequate shelter from wind, rain, and mud for all horses and ponies
Know the signs of hypothermia and mud fever and act promptly