Horse winter preparation is already underway across many regions as equine property experts urge owners to begin planning before temperatures drop. Specialists say fall is the most critical window for reinforcing facilities, improving drainage, stocking supplies, and reducing the mud and maintenance challenges that winter brings to horse properties.
This news report summarizes expert recommendations from horse-property educator Alayne Blickle, outlining key fall tasks that help ensure safer, cleaner, and more efficient winter conditions for horses and owners.
Hay Supply Should Be Secured Before Winter Shortages
Experts advise purchasing winter hay well before demand peaks. Owners should select fresh, green, leafy hay free from mold, weeds, or excessive dust. A typical 1,000-pound horse requires about 20 pounds of hay daily, making early bulk purchases and accurate weighing essential for both budgeting and nutritional management.
Bedding and Footing Materials Needed Ahead of Wet Weather
Pelleted bedding is highlighted as an affordable, low-dust option that stores compactly and composts efficiently.
Footing—such as gravel, hogfuel, or coarse sand—should also be delivered in fall while paddocks and pastures are still dry. Early installation reduces mud formation and improves horse footing and safety throughout winter.
Manure Management Reduces Mud and Health Risks
A single horse produces roughly 50 pounds of manure per day, which quickly turns into mud in winter conditions. Specialists recommend picking manure every one to three days in stalls, paddocks, high-traffic zones, and confinement areas.
Compost piles should be tarped to retain nutrients and prevent runoff into nearby ditches, streams, or wetland areas.
Repair Gutters and Improve Water Diversion
Blickle emphasizes that roof runoff systems must be cleaned and repaired before the rainy season.
Clean gutters, functional downspouts, and proper drainage help keep rainwater away from paddocks and dry lots. Tools such as culverts, berms, grassy swales, and diversion bars can help redirect surface runoff from driveways and slopes before it floods confinement areas.
Protect Pastures Before Growth Stops
Pasture plants enter dormancy during winter, making them vulnerable to damage. Experts recommend keeping at least four inches of leaf growth going into the season and moving horses to a dedicated winter paddock or sacrifice area.
This prevents soil compaction, preserves root health, and helps pastures rebound more quickly in spring.
Review Lighting Before Days Get Shorter
Adequate barn and outdoor lighting is essential for safe feeding, mucking, and general management during dark winter mornings and evenings. Fall is the best time to install new fixtures or repair existing lights before temperatures drop and wiring becomes harder to access.
Check Equipment for Winter Chore Efficiency
Functional tools make winter chores more manageable.
Veterinarians and farm specialists recommend evaluating manure carts, stall forks, handles, wheelbarrows, and storage systems, replacing worn items before wet weather sets in.
Final Thoughts
Equine environmental specialists stress that thorough fall planning is the foundation of effective horse winter preparation. By securing supplies, reinforcing drainage, protecting pastures, and maintaining equipment now, horse owners can significantly reduce winter complications and support healthier, more comfortable living conditions for their horses.
