Pushing On Daisy

As the vibrant greens of summer begin to fade and the cooler temperatures settle in, it’s time to start thinking about how to best prepare your horses for autumn. The changing season brings its own set of challenges, but with the right management plan, you can ensure your horse remains healthy, comfortable, and happy through autumn and into winter. Below, I cover key areas like paddock management, diet, hoof health, general health checks, and stable prep to help you and your horse transition smoothly.

Paddock Management

Autumn is a critical time for paddock management, as falling temperatures and increased rain can create muddy and less-than-ideal conditions for your horse. Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Ragwort Removal: It’s essential to check your paddocks regularly for ragwort, which can still thrive in cooler months. Removing it before it spreads can protect your horses from this harmful plant.
• Insulate Trough Pipes: As temperatures drop, frozen water troughs can become an issue. Insulating your trough pipes now can prevent them from freezing later.
• Sycamore Seeds: Sycamore seeds pose a danger to horses due to the risk of atypical myopathy. Keep an eye on any sycamore trees near your paddocks and remove seeds as soon as possible.
• Mud Mats: Autumn rain can make paddock gateways particularly muddy. While some prefer to install mud mats in spring, if yours aren’t down yet, autumn is an excellent time to do so to manage mud in high-traffic areas.

Diet Considerations

As the grass changes in autumn, so too must your horse’s dietary needs. The sugar content in grass tends to increase during cooler temperatures, so keeping an eye on your horse’s body condition is key.

• Monitor Body Score: Regularly check your horse’s body condition as autumn progresses, adjusting their feed if necessary. Horses can put on weight due to the higher sugar content in the autumn grass.
• Additional Forage: Once the grass growth slows, supplement your horse’s diet with additional forage such as hay or haylage to ensure they’re getting enough to eat.
• Water and Salt: Always provide clean, fresh water, and consider adding a salt lick. Salt not only helps with hydration but also encourages your horse to drink more, also helping them store water more effectively.
• Soaked Beet Pulp: Consider adding soaked beet pulp to your horse’s diet to help increase moisture intake, which is especially helpful as the weather cools and grass becomes less available (Baileys Horse Feeds, 2024).

Hoof Health

The damp and muddy conditions of autumn can cause problems for your horse’s hooves. Being proactive about hoof care will help prevent issues.

• Pick Feet Regularly: Remove debris, dirt, and mud by picking your horse’s feet regularly. This also allows you to monitor for any signs of hoof damage or infection.
• Hoof Sealants: Using a hoof sealant can provide a protective barrier against moisture, preventing soft, crumbly hooves. If possible, offer some hard-standing areas in the paddock to give your horse’s feet a break from constant mud exposure (Court, 2023).

General Health Checks

Autumn is the perfect time to ensure your horse is in optimal health before winter sets in.

• Worm Egg Count and Worming: Before winter arrives, complete a worm egg count and administer wormers only if necessary. This helps prevent resistance to worming treatments and ensures your horse stays parasite-free throughout the colder months .
• Body Scoring: Regularly body score your horse to ensure they are maintaining a healthy weight. As colder weather sets in, horses tend to burn more calories to stay warm, so adjusting feed or exercise as needed is key.

Stable Preparation

If your horses are going to be stabled overnight during the colder months, now is the time to get those spaces ready.

• General Maintenance: Check your stable for any necessary repairs. Ensure that walls, floors, and equipment are in good condition and free of sharp edges or damage that could cause injury.
• Prevent Drafts: Address any drafty areas to make sure your horse remains warm and comfortable while inside.
• Deep Clean: Before moving your horse in, give the stable a thorough cleaning. Pay extra attention to feeding and watering areas, and remove any cobwebs. A clean environment helps reduce the risk of infections or infestations as the weather cools.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to face the challenges of autumn with your horse. Whether it’s paddock management, hoof care, or dietary adjustments, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a healthy, happy season ahead for both horse and rider.