Riding a horse is one of the life’s great pleasures. It’s a great way to get exercise, spend time with your horse and get into nature. Of course, horse ownership comes with a number of responsibilities.

Preparing your horse for autumn and winter is serious business. It’s important to make sure your horse’s diet, lodging and grooming are suited to the change in the seasons. And as a rider in the colder weather, there are some changes you should make as well.

Preparing The Grounds

As the rainy season approaches, make sure to have footing material such as gravel, sand or chipped wood handy. Have this material delivered when the weather is dry.

Install adequate lighting to account for the shorter days during autumn and winter. Lighting should ensure stalls and doorways are visible in the dark.

Develop a plan on how to manage the manure. Uncovered manure following rainfall creates a muddy, smelly mess.

Your Horse’s Needs

Horses require more calories during colder weather. Order extra feed, and if the horse is transitioning from grass to hay, add supplements. This is an important part of preparing your horse for autumn and winter.

A horse’s coat may thicken during fall and winter. The thicker coat keeps your horse warmer during the cold. Put dry blankets on your horse if you trim its coat. Make sure the blankets remain dry.

Maintain your horse’s seasonal care. Tasks involving care of hooves, teeth and de-worming are normally conducted throughout the year.

Equestrian Life At Golden Ocala

Florida has a serious horse culture, and we at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club are proud to be a part of it. With state-of-the-art facilities, we offer incredible options for your horse, including rental of barn suites. Best of all, we take care of much of the seasonal preparations for you. We can help in preparing your horse for autumn and winter.  For full-board options or terms and services, call Alaina our equestrian manager at 650-773-1812.