Get Ahead This Winter

As the nights begin closing in and the grass stops growing, it’s time for horse owners to start transitioning into their winter routine. Soon we’ll be knee-deep in mud, taking horses in and out of stables and dishing out the extra cash on winter feeds and forage – but don’t despair! Aviform is on hand to give you some handy tips for how to get ahead this winter.

Like with any task, preparation is key. Go through a check your rugs and haynets. Are they in usable condition? Do they need washing and reproofing? – If so, start on the repairs. That way when the cold weather comes in, you can rest easy in the knowledge all your gear is ready to go when you need it.

If your hardfeed schedule changes during the winter months then stock up on the necessary feeds. Now’s the time to research what kind of feeds you’ll be needing and the best prices you can get them for, or what sort of bedding you want to use in their stables. 

A horse’s natural cycle is to gain weight in the summer and lose it in the winter. Domesticated horses tend not to follow this cycle as closely as their cousins out in the wild, thanks to the intervention of human owners who provide more food, shelter and exercise than feral horses get.

Some horses hold their weight throughout the winter while others lose it more quickly, so if you’re concerned about your horse’s shape and size now’s a good time to take some measurements to get a baseline for changes over the winter. Doing this every year can help give you an image of what your horse’s natural tendencies are, and when weight loss (or weight gain) is something to be worried about.

Sudden changes in diet, like grass to hay, can trigger digestive issues in lots of horses. It can be hard to provide a slow transition between these diets, especially when the autumn climate can be unpredictable resulting in some unavoidable abrupt changes. Switching suddenly from grass to dry hay can trigger health conditions such as respiratory issues and faecal water syndrome – and here’s where Aviform can help.

Does your horse ever suffer from loose or watery motions? Pro-Choice FWS is a powder supplement that can be added to your horse’s feed to help their gut adjust to sudden changes. With probiotics to help the microflora in the gut biome, and a clay binder to help absorb excess water from stool, Pro-Choice FWS helps prevent the watery discharge that clings to tails and irritates the hind legs.

Cooler weather may affect your horse’s joints, making them stiffer and less active. Time in the stable can also make joint problems worse as a result of reduced exercise and the reduced ability to stretch and flex their limbs throughout the day.

Consider whether your horse might benefit from a joint supplement to give them an extra bit of support. Aviform Suppleaze Gold provides medium to high joint support, with a comprehensive ingredient list (and no fillers or bulkers!) for helping all the tissues and processes of your horse’s joints.

Autumn is the perfect time to think ahead to winter while making the most of the sunshine and warm days. Aviform is always on hand to advise and discuss horse health issues and supplement queries, so don’t hesitate to open up the live chat in the bottom right corner, email us at [email protected], or give us a call on 01953 528008.