Are you ready for winter? Prepare the yard

The winter months are looming and as a horse owner, that means it’s time to get prepared. If you haven’t started your preparations for the colder season then, don’t worry — follow our top tips and you’ll be ready in no time. Plus, the more prepared you are, the quicker spring will seem to come around.

While there is still enough light, make the most of the extra time that creates and get ready for the cold spell:

Prepare for the worst — snow! While enjoying the crisp autumnal weather, it’s hard to remember last year’s snow and the difficulties it brought. However, the chances are that at some point this winter, we’ll get a sprinkling of snow, so it’s best to be ready for it. Order in grit now as it’ll turn to gold dust when the snow does arrive.
Now’s a good time to start putting stone in field gateways to stop them getting clogged up when the ground starts to get wet. When the mud sets in, old bedding (shavings work well) can be used to soak up some of the damp.
Did your water pipes freeze last year? Insulating them now will save you the hassle further down the line. Use lagging, which is available from DIY stores, or old duvets.
Do you have rubber matting? If you don’t, seriously consider investing in some. Although it’s an expense, it’ll really make a difference as winter wears on. Not only will it be warmer and more comfortable for your horse, it’ll make their stable easier to muck out too. It’s also worth considering having a deep litter bed and taking the wet out once a week to save time.

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Melissa joined the Horse & Hound team for six months across 2012/2013 as part of the IPC scheme for graduates.