Winter care for horses isn’t about doing more — it’s about paying closer attention.
Cold weather has a way of exposing every weak spot in management, hydration, nutrition, and daily observation. It’s not a season where one voice has all the answers. The most reliable winter horse care comes from listening to seasoned horsemen, veterinarians, farriers, and researchers who’ve seen what actually works when conditions get tough.
Winter also has a way of humbling you. The challenges show up fast — frozen water, muddy coats, neglected hooves — often in places you didn’t realize needed attention.
A horse’s winter coat is an incredible piece of natural insulation, but once it’s wet or caked in mud, its effectiveness drops fast. Keeping horses dry isn’t a luxury; it’s essential.
Real winter care goes back to fundamentals: quality nutrition, unfrozen access to water, functional shelter, and consistent hoof care when the ground turns hard and unforgiving.
Blanket use has its place, but it’s not a shortcut.
When you understand how the winter coat works and adjust everything else around it, horses don’t just make it through winter — they come out of it strong.
That’s the difference between checking boxes and genuinely caring for your horse when it matters most.
Tip #1: Prioritize Forage Before Blankets
Source: Kentucky Equine Research
Horses stay warm primarily through forage fermentation, not blankets.
Eating hay helps horses generate and retain body heat during cold weather. Digesting hay generates internal heat, which helps horses regulate their body temperature naturally. Digesting forage generates more heat than digesting grains, making forage the best source of energy in winter.
Horses should consume 1.5 to 2.0% of their body weight in hay daily during winter. For every degree below the horse's lower critical temperature (about 18°F for unclipped horses), hay intake should be increased by approximately 1%-2%.
“Forage digestion is the horse’s internal furnace. Adequate hay intake is the most important cold-weather consideration.” — Kentucky Equine Research
Before adding heavier blankets, ensure your horse has constant access to quality forage, especially during cold snaps.
Tip #2: Manage Water Intake More Aggressively Than Feed
Winter dehydration is a leading contributor to cold-weather colic. Poor water intake during winter can quickly lead to dehydration and increase the risk of impaction colic. Horses eating hay require more water than those on pasture, as hay contains less moisture. Only providing cold water can reduce intake, so it’s best to offer fresh, warm water at 45-65°F to encourage drinking.
Colic due to impaction can be caused by eating hay and not consuming enough water.
Horses naturally drink less when the water is icy, even if they’re eating enough.
“Horses may reduce water consumption by up to 50% in winter, increasing the risk of impaction colic.” — AAEP
Heated buckets, regular tank checks, and monitoring daily intake are often more important than increasing grain.
Tip #3: Adjust Hoof Care for Frozen and Icy Ground
Source: American Farriers Journal
Frozen footing, snowballing, and reduced moisture change how hooves wear and function in winter.
Picking out your horse's hooves daily is essential to check for any abnormalities and to prevent snowball buildup, which can lead to slipping hazards. Horses can develop snowballs on the bottom of their feet during winter, making them more prone to slips and falls.
For shod horses, using snow pads and/or studs is recommended to help with traction on snow and ice.
“That’s the stand-alone job of the snow pads — keeping snow and ice from balling up in the hoof,” Lewis says. “A lot of people think the pads are there to offer protection, and the popper pads do, to some degree, but that’s not the primary goal with snow pads. We just want to keep the horse safe and comfortable by preventing ice and snow from accumulating in the hoof.” - American Farriers Journal
Some horses benefit from pads or traction devices, while others do best barefoot — context matters.
Tip #4: Rethink Blanketing - Less Is Often More
Source: The Horse
Blankets can help, but over-blanketing interferes with natural thermoregulation and can create moisture-related problems. Most horses do not need a blanket in winter if they are allowed to acclimate and develop a natural winter coat. However, blanketing is necessary for older horses, thin horses, or those with a winter coat clipped, as they may not have sufficient natural insulation.
If a horse does not develop a good winter hair coat or has a body condition score of three or less, a horse blanket may be needed. For short-term use or milder weather, a lightweight horse blanket is recommended to provide insulation without causing overheating.
Blanketed horses should be monitored daily for sweating, skin irritation, and to ensure the blanket fits properly (to avoid rubs or sores). If a horse is blanketed continuously, the blanket should be removed at least once a day to check the horse's condition and skin health.
“It’s not a matter of just blanketing your horses and letting them go,” says Waite. “You have to make sure blankets don’t get wet, change them when they do, and check them daily.” — The Horse
A wet or poorly fitted blanket can make a horse colder than no blanket at all.
Tip #5: Winter Is the Best Time to Evaluate Body Condition
Source: Michigan State University
Winter coats hide weight loss. Hands-on evaluation matters more than visual judgment this time of year.
If you notice significant weight loss or a low body condition score, consult your veterinarian for a proper health assessment and make necessary feeding adjustments.
Regular assessment of body condition is essential to guide winter feeding and maintain your horse’s health.
"Long winter hair coats can hide both thin and fat horses. Body condition scoring a horse by rubbing your hands along their ribs can help you estimate their body fat cover." - MSU Extension
Regular body condition scoring helps catch problems before spring.
Tip #6: Create Movement Opportunities Even When Riding Slows Down
Reduced winter riding often leads to stiffness, weight gain, and boredom. Exercise shouldn't stop during the winter months and should continue into the early spring months as horses transition back to regular routines. Providing your horse with turnout or exercise as often as possible during winter is important for their health, even during periods of extreme winter weather.
Use extra caution when riding in deep, heavy, or wet snow, as it can strain tendons. Avoid icy footing altogether to protect both you and your horse.
“Regular movement supports joint health, digestion, and mental well-being, even outside of ridden work.” — University of Minnesota Extension
Turnout, hand-walking, groundwork, and enrichment all help keep horses healthy.
Tip #7: Prepare a Winter-Specific First Aid Kit
Winter changes the types of problems horses face — and how quickly small issues can escalate. Frozen ground, icy footing, wet coats, and reduced water intake all create risks that don’t exist the rest of the year. A winter-specific first aid kit helps bridge the gap when conditions delay veterinary care or make treatment harder.
In addition to your regular first aid supplies, consider adding the following winter-only or winter-critical items:
Insulated standing wraps or thick bandages – Help maintain warmth and circulation when treating leg injuries in cold conditions
Petroleum-based barrier creams or ointments – Protect skin from moisture, windburn, and early frostbite
Extra cohesive bandage wrap and gauze – Materials stiffen, tear, or get used faster in freezing temperatures
Electrolytes and oral dosing syringes – Support hydration when horses drink less in cold weather
Hoof packing material or poultice – Prevent snowballing and protect tender soles on frozen or uneven ground
Disposable gloves rated for cold weather – Maintain dexterity when treating injuries outdoors
Headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries – Short daylight hours make emergency care more difficult
Insulated, waterproof storage container – Prevent medications and liquids from freezing or degrading
A winter-ready first aid kit doesn’t replace professional care, but it buys critical time when the weather slows everything down. Preparing before the first hard freeze helps ensure you’re not improvising in the dark, cold, or snow — when clear thinking matters most.
Tip #8: Shelter Quality Matters More Than Temperature
Source: Montana State University
Winter shelter isn’t about luxury — it’s about protection from wind, moisture, and prolonged exposure to cold. According to Montana State University Extension, wind is often a greater threat than low temperatures, especially when horses are wet or unable to escape sustained exposure to it. A well-designed shelter can significantly reduce heat loss and energy demands during the winter months.
Effective winter shelters should block prevailing winds while remaining well-ventilated to prevent moisture buildup. Three-sided sheds oriented away from dominant wind directions are often sufficient, particularly when paired with dry footing and adequate space so horses aren’t forced to crowd. Roofs should shed snow and rain efficiently, and shelter entrances should stay accessible even during heavy snowfall.
Equally important is the ground condition. Mud, ice, and standing water negate the benefits of shelter by soaking coats and increasing heat loss. Dry bedding or well-drained surfaces help horses maintain body temperature and reduce the risk of skin issues and frost-related injuries.
Shelter doesn’t replace good nutrition or observation, but it plays a critical role in conserving calories and keeping horses comfortable through harsh weather. When horses can choose when to seek protection, they’re better equipped to regulate themselves — and that autonomy is a key part of winter resilience.
Understanding Lower Critical Temperature: When Cold Really Matters
One of the most important things you'll learn about winter horse care is something called the lower critical temperature—basically, it's the point where your horse starts burning extra calories just to stay warm. For most horses with their full winter fuzz, that magic number sits around 18° F... but here's the kicker: horses with summer coats? They're already feeling it at 41° F. When temperatures drop below those thresholds, your horse is going to need more fuel in the tank to keep from losing weight.
Now, not all horses handle cold the same way (just like people, right?). Horses with short coats, smaller builds, or the older guys... they're way more sensitive to the cold. Their critical temperature is higher, which means they start struggling sooner than others. That's why you should be constantly checking body condition scores during the winter months.
Do you notice any weight dropping off? Any ribs starting to show? Time to up that forage and tweak your feeding game.
Stay ahead of it... because once you're behind the curve, it's a lot harder to get your horse back where they need to be, especially when winter's throwing everything it's got at you.
Safety Precautions for Winter Barns and Paddocks
Snow and ice? They'll turn any surface into a slip-and-slide that's waiting to take you or your horse down. I've learned the hard way to check those walkways, gates, and paddock entrances religiously for ice buildup... and let me tell you, sand or non-toxic de-icers are your best friends for getting some traction back.
And their hooves? Check them daily. Packed snow or ice balls in there can lead to sole bruising or nasty slips—especially if your horse is shod.
Wet bedding... ugh, that's another winter nightmare that'll chill your horse and mess with their hooves something fierce. You've got to keep those stalls clean and dry, and I mean really watch for leaks or condensation that can sneak in and dampen everything.
If you're using heated buckets or any electrical devices (and who isn't these days?), make sure all that wiring is safe and out of reach— electrocutionrisks or fire hazards are the last thing you need.
If your horses spend time indoors, good ventilation is essential for their respiratory health, even when the weather outside is just brutal.
By staying vigilant and addressing these winter-specific risks... you'll help keep your horse safe and healthy all season long. (Isn't that peace of mind worth everything?)
Maintenance and Upkeep: Tack, Equipment, and Facility Care
Cold temperatures and winter weather can really take a toll on your tack, blankets, and facilities.
Regular maintenance? It's become a key part of my winter routine. After each use, I thoroughly dry and clean my tack... because let me tell you, preventing mold and cracking caused by dampness and those crazy fluctuating temperatures is so much easier than dealing with ruined leather later.
If you use horse blankets, check them - turnout blankets, stable blankets, all of them - frequently for rub marks, tears, or wet spots. When you find issues, repair or replace them as needed.
Now, facility upkeep? We've already discussed the importance of clearing snow and ice from barn entrances, walkways, and around gates to ensure safe access for people and horses... because slipping on ice with a thousand-pound animal? Not fun.
Inspect doors, latches, and fencing for damage caused by winter snow or freezing conditions. If you have an indoor arena, you've got to monitor that footing and ventilation to maintain a safe, healthy environment for exercise during those long winter months.
By staying on top of equipment and facility care, you'll help prevent accidents and ensure your horse's comfort throughout the season. It's that simple... and that important.
Conclusion: Winter Care Is About Observation, Not Perfection
Good winter care doesn’t come from rigid rules — it comes from watching the horse in front of you.
Listen to experienced voices, stay curious, and adapt as conditions change. Horsemanship isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about staying attentive through every season.