Horse Care for Cooler Weather: Starting Fall Prep

As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures drop, horse owners know it’s time to start adjusting routines, turnout schedules, and tack to keep horses comfortable and healthy. Seasonal changes can affect everything from your horse’s coat to their energy levels, so preparing in advance is key. Below, we will walk through practical horse care for cooler weather to ensure a smooth transition to fall.

Evaluate Daily Routines

Horses thrive on consistency but fall often disrupts schedules. Shorter days may mean less turnout for stalled horses, and fewer daylight hours for riding. Start by evaluating your daily schedule and making small adjustments. If your stalled horse is used to extended pasture time, gradually shorten those hours before the ground becomes muddy or frozen. This slow change prevents stress and allows your horse to adapt comfortably.

You will also want to look at feeding schedule adjustments when considering horse care for cooler weather. Horses burn more calories to stay warm in cooler months, so meals may need to be adjusted earlier or quantity slightly increased. This is a good time to make sure that you have enough quality forage to carry your horse through the season, as digesting long stemmed forage is a primary source of warmth.

Horse Care for Cooler Weather: Turnout Considerations

Fall often brings along unpredictable weather – sunny afternoons followed by chilly nights. Good horse care for cooler weather includes adjusting turnout for stalled horses based on conditions. Ensure your pastures are safe by checking for slick mud, early frost, or weakened fencing. Some horses may require a lightweight sheet during sudden cold snaps, or cold rains while others with thick coats will be fine without. Always keep an eye on herd dynamics, since changes in turnout schedules can shift pecking order.

Mud can cause slipping injuries or hoof issues like thrush. Consider adding gravel to the high traffic areas to improve drainage and rotate turnout fields if possible.

Blanketing is another consideration to take during turnout. Horses with natural winter coats may not need much help staying warm, but clipped horses, seniors, or those with difficulty holding weight may benefit from lightweight turnout sheets during cooler days or nights. Keep a variety of options and adjust daily based on fall temperature swings. To see The Trainer’s Loft current selection of horse blankets, click here!

Tack Changes for Fall

As horses grow thicket coats, tack fit may shift slightly and will need to be considered when making changes to horse care for cooler weather. It’s a good idea to check your saddle, girths, and bridles for fit and comfort. Sweat buildup and shedding hair can also cause rubs, so keep tack pads clean and rotate them frequently. Cooler weather is also the perfect time to clean, oil, and repair leather tack before winter dryness sets in.

Stable and Barn Readiness

Make sure your barn is prepped for fall’s unpredictable conditions. Clean out and store fans and summer gear, and check water heaters, and insulation. Stockpile hay before demand rises in the winter. Investing in good quality hay now ensures your horse will have consistent nutrition even as pasture quality drops.

Hoof and Coat Preparation

Moisture from fall rains can increase the risk of thrush. Regular hoof picking and the use of special hoof treatments can help keep hooves strong. Grooming is also critical – daily brushing helps remove the shedding hair, increases circulation, and builds a bond between you and your horse. To see The Trainer’s Loft current selection of grooming supplies, click here!

The Summer to Fall Transition

Transitioning your horse and tack for fall doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By taking proactive steps such as adjusting routines, checking turnout, cleaning tack, and ensuring your barn is ready, you set your horse up for a healthy season ahead. Follow these horse care for cooler weather to make sure both you and your equine partner enjoy autumn rides in comfort and safety.

At The Trainer’s Loft, we help riders prepare for every season with quality tack, apparel, and supplies. Whether you’re updating your barn for cooler weather  or upgrading your gear for fall riding, our knowledgeable team is here to guide you. Stop by our store or shop online to find everything you need for your horse’s seasonal care.