13 autumn horse care tasks all owners need to do right now

With the nights starting to draw in here in the UK, there is no denying that autumn is on its way. Make sure you and your horse are ready for the colder weather with our seasonal autumn horse care guide.

1. Prepare gateways

Putting hardcore down in gateways before the winter will help these areas stay compact, and prevent them from becoming too muddy and slippery.

Beyond gateways, offering horses who spend most or all of their time out a dedicated area of hardstanding allows them to get out of the wet and mud and can help mitigate mud fever. This is especially important if you’re in a clay soil area.

2. Have winter rugs ready

If you didn’t get your winter rugs cleaned and repaired in the spring, now is the time to do it. You can wash rugs at home as well as try some DIY rug repairs. Or if you need new rugs, it’s time to go shopping!

If your horse typically works up a sweat while being ridden, have one of the best cooler rugs or best drying rugs to hand to throw over him while he’s cooling down to prevent him from becoming chilled.

Check out our guides to the best lightweights, medium weights, heavyweights and the best rugs if you’re on a budget.

3. Check your clippers

Get your clippers serviced and the blades sharpened by a specialist so you are ready to tackle your horse’s emerging winter coat.

Watch our clipping masterclass video to learn how to clip like the experts.

4. Plan worming

Autumn is the ideal time to test horses for tapeworm and treat if necessary, while vets recommend all horses should be treated for encysted small redworm during November/December. You need to wait until there are five consecutive days where the temperature is not forecast to rise above 5°C – depending on what kind of winter we have, this might mean waiting until January.

So, now is the time to get organised and order your worming supplies, checking that the active ingredients are the right ones for the the types of worms you are targeting.

5. Think about bedding

Choose the type of bedding wisely if your horse is to be stabled in the coming colder months.

If your horse suffers from respiratory problems they may benefit from a dust-free bedding combined with rubber matting. You may find you can save yourself money by buying in bulk.

6. Dietary changes

If your horse is overweight, or you have a good doer that lives out over winter, the next few months is the ideal time to help your horse lose weight. If he is the opposite and inclined to lose more weight than you’d like, now is the time to start thinking about his autumn/winter feeding regime before any weight loss occurs – there are plenty of feeds that can help with weight gain.

Remember that good quality forage should form the basis of your feeding regime before turning to cereal-based feeds. Adding oil to the feed will also help maintain winter condition.

7. Reduce mud fever risks

Mud fever is often seen in autumn if conditions are wet and muddy.

Avoid long periods of exposure to these conditions, as bacteria from the soil can enter the horse’s body through damaged skin or cuts.

Barrier creams can also be used to help protect from wet and mud.

8. Plan routine visits

Check if your horse’s vaccinations are due. Contact your vet if you are unsure what vaccinations your horse needs.

Get your vet or equine dental technician to check your horse’s teeth before winter, to ensure they are able to make the most of their feed. Regular dental care is important for all horses, but youngsters and older horses are likely to need more frequent checks.

9. Keep an eye on the grass

Laminitis is commonly associated with spring grass, but cool nights followed by sunny days in autumn can also be a risk. If you own a laminitis-prone horse consider whether you need to restrict their grass intake.

10. Store your summer kit

Clean your fly sheets and fly masks and store them ready for use in the spring. Bring all your fly sprays, shampoos and other liquids indoors to prevent freezing and thawing, which may make them less effective.

11. “Winterise” your yard

Once the ground has frozen you won’t be able to sink new fence posts, so make sure they are all secure now. There are plenty of autumn paddock jobs that, once done, will make your winter much easier.

Check gutters and downpipes are in good condition and clear of debris.

Insulate your pipes and unhook hoses when not in use, especially during the night when it may drop below freezing.

12. Find out about local shoot days

If you live in an area where deer stalking or shooting may occur, it is best to find out what days your local shoot meets and avoid riding out at these times.

Dress yourself and your horse in hi-vis and talk to your fellow riders to make sure you can be seen and heard.

13. Walk your fence lines

At any time of year owners need to be vigilant to poisonous plants, but right now sycamore and oak trees are about to drop – or already dropping – seeds in the form of “helicopters” and acorns respectively.

Acorns can be poisonous to horses, with many owners noticing more on the ground in autumn 2025 when a warm, dry spring meant trees produced a bumper crop.

Ingestion of sycamore seeds and seedlings can cause atypical myopathy, an often fatal muscle disease caused by ingestion of the toxin hypoglycin A via sycamore seeds and seedlings.

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website