Winter Weight Worries - Why older horses lose condition
If your older horse seems to look a little leaner as winter rolls on, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not a bad owner. Winter weight loss is VERY common, especially in senior horses where cold, wet and windy weather can hang around for months.
The key is knowing what’s normal for YOUR horse, and how to support their individual needs.
So, why do older horses lose weight in winter?
As horses age, their bodies simply aren’t as efficient as they once were. Add winter into the mix and it can tip the balance.
❄️ They burn more calories keeping warm
Horses use fibre from forage to generate heat. In cold weather, your older horse can burn through calories faster than they’re eating them, especially if they’re exposed to cold, wet weather.
🌾 Chewing and digesting can become more difficult
Keep an eye on worn or missing teeth (with the help of twice yearly equine dental visits), even if your horse looks like they’re eating well. Dental issues may lead to not being able to break down hay properly, and therefore fewer nutrients are absorbed.
🌧️ Grass quality drops
Winter grazing provides very little nutritional value. Senior horses often need extra support once grass stops doing the job.
🩺 Age-related health changes
Conditions like arthritis, gut issues, or equine metabolic problems can quietly affect appetite and weight, sometimes before other signs appear.
What’s normal winter weight loss… and what isn’t?
A small dip in condition is often normal, during winter. What you don’t want is ongoing or sudden weight loss.
Generally normal:
- Slightly less top line - due to reduced workload/turnout in poorer weather
- A little less covering over ribs, but ribs not obvious
- Weight stabilises once feeding is adjusted
Time to take action if you notice:
- Ribs becoming clearly visible
- Hip bones or spine looking sharp
- Rugs fitting looser than usual
- Your horse feeling tucked up, grumpy and/or lethargic
Trust your instincts, you see your horse every day, and changes often creep up slowly.
How to keep track, without getting obsessed
You don’t need fancy equipment or weekly panic checks. Simple, regular monitoring works best.
- Hands on, not just eyes – run your hands over ribs, shoulders and hindquarters
- Use a weigh tape every 2 to 4 weeks (consistency matters more than exact numbers)
- Take photos once a month from the side, they’re surprisingly helpful
- Keep notes of feed changes, weather and rugging
- Little patterns tell big stories
✅ WINTER WEIGHT CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR HORSES
Feeding and Forage
☐ Access to forage for most of the day and night
☐ Forage is good quality and easy to eat
☐ Senior-friendly feeds introduced gradually and fed consistently
☐ Access to plenty of fresh, unfrozen water
Warmth and Comfort
☐ Appropriate rugging for age, weather and body condition
☐ Shelter available from wind and rain
☐ No sweating or rubbing from rugs
Health and Monitoring
☐ Teeth checked regularly (at least once/twice a year depending on needs)
☐ Weight or condition checked every week
☐ Droppings normal and appetite consistent
☐ Any sudden changes discussed with a vet or equine professional
Daily Observations
☐ Horse seems bright and comfortable
☐ Eating steadily, not leaving feed
☐ Moving freely enough to reach food and water
Older horses don’t read rulebooks, they change year by year. Needing to adjust feeding or care in winter doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’re paying attention.
Catching weight loss early is one of the kindest things you can do, and small changes made now can save a lot of worry later on.
