Winter Horse Care

Understanding the Seasonal Challenges for Your Horse

As winter settles in, many horse owners breathe a sigh of relief as the flies disappear and the heat of summer becomes a distant memory.

But winter brings its own set of challenges and while they may not be as obvious as swarms of insects or scorching temperatures, they can have a significant impact on your horse's comfort, health and wellbeing.

From prolonged wet conditions and muddy paddocks to reduced movement and increased skin sensitivity, winter is a season where small issues can quickly become bigger problems if they're not managed early.

Let's take a look at some of the most common winter challenges for horses and, more importantly, what you can do to stay ahead of them.

🌧️️ Mud Fever, Greasy Heel & Pastern Dermatitis

Winter often means wet paddocks, muddy gateways and damp conditions that can leave horses exposed to moisture for extended periods.

Mud fever, greasy heel, scratches, and pastern dermatitis are all names for the same bacterial skin infection. Persistent moisture softens the skin on the lower leg, mud physically abrades it, and bacteria get in through the damaged surface.

Horses with white socks and stockings are particularly vulnerable because pink, unpigmented skin is more sensitive to both moisture penetration and sun damage that breaks down the skin barrier.  Horses with heavy feathering are also at high risk, with the feathers trapping moisture against the skin and making early signs of infection easy to miss.

What to watch for:

• Scabs or crusty areas around the pasterns
• Hair loss on lower legs
• Increased sensitivity when handling legs
• Persistent dampness around the fetlocks and heels
• Irritated or inflamed skin

Practical Management Tips

• Check your horse's legs daily, especially after wet weather
• Remove mud gently rather than scrubbing aggressively
• Dry legs thoroughly after washing or wet paddock time – dampness sitting on the skin is the enemy
• Avoid repeated washing of legs; stripping the skin's natural oils makes the problem worse, not better
• Use breathable protective coverings to keep mud off the skin (and check them regularly), to avoid the need for repeated leg washing

When it comes to winter skin health, consistency is often more important than complicated treatments. And because skin conditions can be persistent and difficult to eradicate, prevention is the best strategy.

🐴 Reduced Movement & Filled Legs

Many horses naturally move less during winter.  Whether it's because paddocks become boggy, turnout time changes, or horses spend more time standing under shelter, reduced movement can sometimes lead to fluid accumulation in the lower limbs.

What warrants a vet call:

• Asymmetric swelling (one leg noticeably more affected than others)
• Heat alongside swelling
• Lameness or reluctance to move
• Swelling that is significant, painful or persistent and doesn't reduce after exercise

Practical Management Tips

• Encourage movement wherever possible
• Warm legs gently before exercise and maintain regular exercise routines
• Avoid sudden changes in workload
• Keep bedding clean and dry; damp bedding is a contributor to leg swelling and skin problems
• Monitor any swelling or joint stiffness carefully. Cold weather amplifies joint stiffness in arthritic and older horses

Movement remains one of the best natural ways to support circulation and overall leg health. Good leg coverage that keeps joints warm without restricting circulation can also help.

🧴 Sensitive Skin & Winter Irritation

While insects are less active during winter, some horses continue to experience skin sensitivity throughout the colder months.

Damp conditions, friction from rugs, mud exposure and environmental irritants can all contribute to discomfort.

You might notice:

• Rubbing of legs or lower limbs
• Dry or flaky skin
• Hair loss in problem areas
• Increased sensitivity to touch
• Persistent irritation despite the absence of insects

Practical Management Tips

• Keep skin clean and dry where possible
• Groom regularly to monitor skin condition
• Check rugs and equipment for rubbing points
• Use soft, breathable fabrics against sensitive skin
• Address small irritations before they become larger problems

Often it's the cumulative effect of winter conditions rather than a single cause that leads to skin issues.

🌬️️ Why Breathability Still Matters in Winter

When temperatures drop, it's tempting to think that heavier protection is always better.

However, winter horse care isn't just about keeping the elements out. It's also about managing what happens underneath.

Protection that traps excessive moisture or doesn't allow adequate airflow may create discomfort for some horses, particularly during extended wear.

Practical Management Tips

• Choose protection appropriate to the conditions
• Check coverings regularly for dampness and cleanliness
• Remove and replace wet or dirty protection as needed
• Prioritise comfort and fit
• Remember that breathable materials can play an important role in long-term wear

Good winter management is often about balance rather than extremes.

🌾 Winter Pastures, Temperature Swings & General Wellbeing

Australian winters aren't uniformly cold; they're changeable. A wet, frosty night can be followed by a warm, sunny afternoon, and horses feel those swings.

Sudden temperature changes can affect immune function, gut motility, hydration, and energy levels. Colic risk increases when water intake drops (horses drink less when water is cold), when feed routines change, and when temperature fluctuations are abrupt.

Winter also often brings changes in pasture quality and availability.

Some horses may lose condition, while others continue to maintain weight surprisingly well despite colder weather.

Practical Management Tips

• Monitor body condition regularly
• Keep feeding routines consistent. Sudden changes in feed or access to pasture contribute to colic and laminitis risk
• Ensure clean, fresh water is always accessible; some horses need encouragement to drink in winter
• Adjust rugs for the day ahead, not the day behind (check morning forecasts). Breathability matters (a lot), especially when faced with changeable weather throughout the day.
• Introduce any management changes gradually, particularly for older horses

Winter well-being isn't one-size-fits-all, and every horse will have different requirements.

🏆 Keeping Competition Goals on Track

For many riders, winter is an active competition season. That means your horse's health and presentation are under real scrutiny.

The horses that present beautifully in winter aren't the result of last-minute prep. They're the result of owners who stayed consistent through the mud, the rain, and the shorter days.

Common winter setbacks that affect competition preparation:

• Mud fever scabbing on lower legs, visible even under boots in the warm-up arena
• Staining and skin damage on white socks and stockings
• Coat condition suffering from over-washing or over-rugging
• Stiffness and reduced work capacity from reduced turnout

Practical Management Tips

• Think of leg care as part of your daily preparation, not something that ramps up pre-competition
• Protect legs proactively to prevent the staining and skin damage that's hard to undo quickly
• Prioritise skin health as the foundation of coat condition and overall presentation
• A horse that's comfortable is a horse that performs. Don't underestimate the link between physical comfort and behaviour under saddle

 🌿 The Natural Choice for Winter Leg Protection

At Canterpants, we started with one simple question: why is so much leg protection synthetic, when horses have sensitive skin and spend hours, sometimes days, wearing it?

Canterpants are made from 100% certified organic cotton (or you can choose the new 100% cotton ripstop), designed and made in Australia. They protect the lower leg with a breathable barrier that keeps mud, moisture, and debris off the skin: without trapping heat and moisture, without synthetic chemicals, and without repeated washing that strips the skin's natural defences.

They attach to most standard rugs without sewing, so they fit naturally into the rugging routine you're already managing through winter.

For horses with white socks, horses prone to mud fever, horses in competition preparation, or simply horses that you want to protect kindly and naturally, cotton is the genuinely better choice, for your horse and for the environment.

If your horse does develop mud fever or other skin irritations during winter, treatment will be necessary. Appropriate leg protection may help reduce the continual exposure that caused the problem, but will not cure an existing condition.

Stay Consistent, Stay Ahead

Winter may seem quieter than summer, but it brings its own set of management challenges.

Many winter problems don't appear overnight. They develop gradually through weeks of damp conditions, small irritations and subtle changes that are easy to overlook.

By staying proactive with skin health, leg care, movement, nutrition and daily monitoring, you can help your horse stay comfortable, healthy and ready for whatever the next season brings.

After all, good horse care isn't about reacting to problems once they've appeared. It's about noticing the small things before they become bigger ones.

🐴 Together, making our horses' lives better - Yvette

Related HorseTalk Blogs

• Mud - More Than Just a Mess!
  
• Cotton vs Polyester - What's Best?

Related Resources:

• "Winter Horse Care Essentials" by Dr Maxine Brain - Equestrian Life Issue 122, May2026
• "Prevent Mud Fever" - by Aimi Clark, 4 June 2026 (featuring equine vet Ben Curnow, Liverpool University)
• “Do horses need rugs in winter?” - Animal Care Australia

Disclaimer: These are my thoughts and opinions and should not be considered expert or medical advice. I recommend that you seek the guidance of a qualified equine veterinarian for any specific health concerns relating to your horse.

(Photo courtesy of Denis Ha on Unsplash)