One thing to remember is that the weather conditions can change very quickly and this affects many horse riders as they try to ensure their horse remains well looked after during the winter months.

Horses are fortunate in that they are naturally tolerant to colder weather. In fact, horses cope better in the cold than in the heat. However, keeping your horse healthy during the winter takes care and attention. Be sure to check for any parasites and get your horse immunised as quickly as possible so to keep it safe and healthy.

It is important to have a health plan set up for your horse during the winter as they are going to be more susceptible to illness as the weather constantly changes. If you prepare the horse for winter then it will not need to eat as much food which will help you save a bit of money. It is more about the quality of food than the quantity. The health plan should ensure your horse maintains a stable weight during the winter but if it gains a little weight then its a good thing.

When it is allowed to grow, a horses natural winter coat will reduce the amount of heat lost in the horse and acts a brilliant coat. This happens to be the best protection for the horse and again, costs you nothing as long as you look after the horse and prepare it well for the upcoming winter months.

If you can see them through the coat then it has lost too much weight and you will have to seek advice or alter the horses health plan. During the winter you should regularly check the condition of your horse. Its ribs are a good tell tale sign of its health as you should not be able to see them but underneath its winter coat you should be able to feel them. To see if the horse is too cold then simply feel its ears as this will tell you whether its too cold or not.

Horses are warm-blooded animals which means in order to survive they must maintain a specific body temperature. During the winter do all you can to ensure your horse conserves as much heat as possible and check its condition daily to keep it healthy.