Feeding Horses Through Winter: Supporting Health, Hydration, and Warmth

Winter brings a noticeable shift in how horses eat, drink, and use energy. Colder temperatures, reduced daylight, and changes in turnout can all influence nutritional needs. While many owners focus on rugs and shelter, feeding and hydration play an equally important role in keeping horses healthy through the winter months.

This guide outlines the key considerations when feeding horses during winter, with a focus on hydration, forage, and practical management.

Hydration: A Winter Priority That’s Often Overlooked

Horses naturally drink less in cold weather. The thirst response is reduced, and cold or frozen water can discourage drinking altogether. Dehydration during winter is a common contributing factor to digestive upsets, including impaction colic.

Ensure Constant Access to Unfrozen Water

All horses should have access to clean, unfrozen water at all times. Regularly breaking ice, using insulated buckets, or providing heated water sources can make a significant difference to overall intake.

Where possible, offering water that is slightly warmed (rather than icy cold) can encourage horses to drink more consistently.

Using Salt to Encourage Drinking

Adding salt to the diet is a simple and effective way to support hydration during winter.

Salt increases thirst, helping to offset the natural reduction in drinking seen in colder weather. This can be provided through:

• Loose salt added to feeds

• A salt lick (though intake can be variable)

• A measured daily salt allowance in the bucket feed

The exact amount required will vary depending on the individual horse, workload, and existing diet, but salt should be considered a year-round essential, not just a summer addition.

Feeding Mashes to Support Fluid Intake

Warm, wet feeds can be particularly helpful during winter months. Feeding mashes increases total water intake and can be useful for horses that are poor drinkers or stabled for longer periods.

Mashes can include:

• Soaked fibre feeds

• Soaked beet pulp

• Warm water added to bucket feeds

These feeds should always be prepared according to manufacturer guidelines and fully soaked before feeding. In addition to supporting hydration, warm feeds can be more appealing on cold days and encourage regular eating.

Forage: The Foundation of Winter Feeding

Forage is the most important part of the winter diet for all horses, regardless of age or workload.

Ad Lib Hay Where Possible

Providing ad lib forage allows horses to eat little and often, supporting gut health and natural behaviour. More importantly in winter, forage plays a key role in helping horses stay warm.

When fibre is digested in the hindgut, fermentation produces heat. This internal heat production helps horses maintain body temperature during cold weather, often more effectively than increasing hard feed.

If weight management is a concern, forage types and quantities can be adjusted carefully rather than restricting intake unnecessarily.

Individual Needs Still Matter

Not all horses require the same approach through winter. Factors such as age, body condition, workload, living arrangements, and dental health should all influence feeding decisions.

Some horses may need additional energy to maintain weight, while others may thrive on a forage-based diet with minimal bucket feed. Regularly monitoring body condition and making gradual adjustments is key.

In Summary

Winter feeding is about more than just adding extra feed. Prioritising hydration, providing adequate forage, and making small management changes can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing.

Key winter reminders:

• Ensure constant access to unfrozen water

• Use salt to support drinking

• Feed mashes to increase water intake

• Provide ad lib forage where possible to support warmth and gut health

If you’re unsure whether your horse’s winter diet is meeting their needs, a tailored nutritional review can help identify practical improvements and remove the guesswork.