Keeping senior horses comfortable in winter
If your older horse drops weight over winter, your first thought might be “They need more feed.” Sometimes that’s true, but very often, the missing piece isn’t in the feed room at all. It’s warmth, shelter and comfort.
With UK winters bringing cold rain, wind and endless damp, older horses can burn through calories just trying to stay warm. The good news? Small changes to rugging and shelter can make a huge difference without piling large feeds into a digestive system that may already be working harder with age.
🧤 Why warmth matters more than you might think
Horses generate heat by digesting fibre. When they’re cold, stressed or exposed to wind and rain, they burn extra calories simply to maintain body temperature. For older horses, this can mean:
- More energy used for warmth
- Less energy left for maintaining weight
- Faster loss of condition, even on “the same feed as last year”
Providing the right warmth reduces this drain on their system, and helps the feed they are receiving, go further.
🌳 Shelter: the quiet hero of winter care
Shelter doesn’t have to mean stabled 24/7. Even a simple field shelter or good natural hedging can make a noticeable difference. Good shelter helps to:
- Reducing wind chill (which massively increases heat loss)
- Keeping coats drier, so horses stay warmer naturally
- Lowering stress levels, especially in older horses or poorer doers
A dry horse who can stay protected from bad weather will need fewer calories to stay warm.
📌 TOP TIP - If your horse lives out, watch where they choose to stand on bad days, horses are very honest about what they need.
Rugging: finding the middle ground
Rugging older horses can feel like walking a tightrope. Too lightweight and they lose weight. Too heavy and they sweat, become uncomfortable, or even gain unhealthy weight. Aim for your horse to be comfortable, not cosy.
Signs your horse may be too cold:
- Standing hunched or tucked up
- Cold ears or neck
- Shivering
- Weight dropping despite adequate forage
- Seeking shelter constantly
Signs your horse is comfortable:
- Relaxed posture
- Warm (but not hot) under the rug
- Eating and resting normally
- Stable weight
- No sweating or damp patches
Signs of over-rugging:
- Sweating under the rug
- Damp shoulders or chest
- Lethargy or irritability
- Rug rubbing
- Unexpected weight gain
A quick hand check under the rug at the shoulder or behind the elbow tells you more than the weather forecast ever will.
Avoiding the “feed more” trap
When an older horse loses weight, it’s natural to increase feed straight away. But if they’re cold or wet, you’re often just chasing losses. Before increasing bucket feed, ask:
- Are they dry most of the day?
- Are they protected from wind and rain?
- Is their rug appropriate for them, not just the temperature?
Often, improving warmth means you can:
- Maintain weight with less feed, of better quality
- Reduce digestive stress
- Keep routines simpler and safer
✅ Winter Warmth Checklist for Older Horses - Use this as a quick weekly check during colder months:
Shelter
☐ Access to field shelter, stable, or natural windbreak
☐ Dry standing area available
☐ Horse chooses to use shelter in bad weather
Rugging
☐ Rug weight appropriate for age and condition
☐ No sweating or dampness under rug
☐ Rugs checked daily and adjusted if weather changes
☐ Clean, dry rug in good repair
Comfort checks
☐ Horse feels warm but not hot under the rug
☐ Relaxed posture and normal behaviour
☐ No rubbing, stiffness, or irritation
Weight and condition
☐ Weight or condition monitored every week
☐ No sudden or ongoing weight loss
☐ Feed adjusted after warmth and shelter reviewed
Keeping an older horse warm isn’t about wrapping them up like a parcel, it’s about reducing unnecessary energy loss.
Warmth, shelter and sensible rugging are some of the most underrated tools in winter weight management. Get those right, and feeding becomes easier, more effective, and far less stressful.
