Seasonal shifts and how to navigate them
The transition from summer to autumn can be a challenging one. Here are some tips for supporting your horse during this time.
Exercise boosts metabolism and strengthens the immune system. Take it easy, but do provide ample movement.
For some horses, the transition from summer to autumn can be a tricky one. Shifting from sunny, hot and long days to a rainier, colder and darker period comes with its set of challenges. With winter approaching, hormone levels tend to fluctuate, which can lead to some horses becoming hungrier and wanting to eat more. Producing all that winter fur is hard work too. This is sometimes magnified by the fact that in recent years, we've had huge temperature shifts virtually overnight. A sunny, 30-degree day can be easily followed by 8 degrees and rain in September (at least in my area). Some horses might breeze through this period, while others, especially the senior ones or the ones with chronic issues, can have a hard time. What can we do to make this period easier for them?
With their hormone balance changing and their bodies needing building blocks for growing new fur, it's wise to make sure the horse is not deficient in any nutrients. A well-balanced diet is important all year round, but maybe even more so in the transition from a hotter to a colder period of the year. Make sure you are feeding a high-quality mineral balancer that provides all the nutrients for your horse's specific needs. If your horse has a hard time during this time, it might be a good idea to add some supplements to support the functioning of the immune system. Always consult your veterinarian before implementing diet changes.
If temperatures drop drastically while horses are still wearing their summer coats, this can be a problem, especially for the older or underweight horse. If you see the horse is struggling to keep warm, provide a blanket for them. This will probably only be necessary for a couple of days. When the weather stabilizes, you can keep the blanket off to allow the horse to grow a good winter coat. With big fluctuations in temperatures, make sure the horse has more hay available. Munching on hay will boost metabolism and keep their bodies warm. This can be a bit tricky with horses who are on the metabolic side and can be prone to bouts of laminitis in the fall, so always consult your veterinarian if you are in doubt.
Don't forget that exercise is important in this period too. Regular low grade exercise boosts metabolism and supports the immune system. While it is tempting to skip riding or working with your horse when it gets cold and rainy, it pays to put the effort in and spend some time exercising them. This is especially true for all the metabolic horses out there. And always, keep a close eye on your horse during this transitional period. The observations you make this year can help you make better decisions next year.
So, in short – provide adequate vitamins and minerals and consider adding some support for the immune system, keep the horse warm if the temperatures drop suddenly, and provide lots of low-grade exercise, even if the weather isn't ideal.