Preparing Your Horse for Winter: Nutrition, Health, and Parasite Management – Brownwood News

November 5, 2026

As temperatures begin to cool across Central Texas, now is a great time for horse owners to evaluate their horses’ nutritional needs and overall health before winter arrives. I personally took a good look at our herd last weekend to determine who needs more feed, who needs less, and whether any horses need additional management before the grass goes dry and the wind turns cold. While Texas winters are generally mild compared to other parts of the country, sudden temperature changes, cold rains, and occasional freezing conditions can create challenges for horses. A little preparation now can go a long way toward keeping horses healthy, comfortable, and in good condition throughout the winter months.
Evaluate Body Condition and Nutrition
One of the most important things horse owners can do heading into winter is to evaluate their body condition. Horses should ideally enter winter with a body condition score of approximately 5 to 6 on the 1-to-9 Henneke scale. At this level, ribs are not readily visible but can be felt with light pressure, and the horse has adequate fat reserves without being overweight.
As temperatures drop, horses require additional energy to maintain body temperature, particularly during periods of cold, wet, or windy weather. Good-quality hay is one of the best ways to provide that energy. The fermentation of forage in the horse’s hindgut produces heat, helping the animal stay warm from the inside out. Increasing forage availability during cold weather is often more beneficial than simply increasing grain.
Horse owners should also remember that nutritional requirements vary depending on age, workload, body condition, and overall health. Senior horses, growing horses, and those that are underweight may require additional nutritional attention.
Don’t Overlook Water Consumption
Water consumption is just as important during winter as it is during the summer. Horses may drink less when temperatures drop, especially if their water becomes extremely cold. Reduced water intake, decreased consumption of green grass, and increased hay consumption can increase the risk of impaction colic.
Providing clean, fresh water, and checking troughs regularly during freezing weather are essential. Horses often drink more readily when water is maintained at a moderate temperature. Providing free-choice salt or an appropriate equine mineral supplement can help encourage water consumption during the colder winter months.
Fall Deworming and Parasite Management
Fall is also an excellent time to review your horse’s parasite control program. Internal parasites can affect body condition, nutrient utilization, and overall health, making parasite management an important part of preparing horses for winter.
For many years, horse owners routinely dewormed every six to eight weeks and rotated products. However, current recommendations from the American Association of Equine Practitioners emphasize a more strategic approach because parasites have developed resistance to commonly used dewormers.
A fecal egg count is a valuable management tool that helps determine how many parasite eggs a horse is shedding. This information allows veterinarians and owners to identify horses that may require more frequent treatment while avoiding unnecessary deworming.
Fall parasite control is particularly important because certain parasites, including bots and tapeworms, may need to be addressed as the grazing season ends. Additionally, foals and young horses require different parasite management strategies than mature horses.
Good pasture management also plays an important role in controlling parasites. Removing manure from paddocks, avoiding overgrazing, and preventing excessive stocking rates can help reduce parasite exposure.
Shelter and General Winter Care
Most healthy horses grow a winter hair coat that provides effective insulation. However, that insulation becomes less effective when the coat is wet or exposed to strong winds. Access to a windbreak, run-in shed, or other suitable shelter is particularly beneficial during cold, rainy conditions.
Blanketing is not necessary for every horse. Healthy horses with adequate body condition, a full winter coat, and access to shelter can generally tolerate cold temperatures well. Clipped horses, older horses, or those in poor body condition may benefit from additional protection.
Fall is also a good time to schedule routine hoof care, evaluate dental health, and review vaccination needs with your veterinarian. Maintaining these basic management practices helps horses enter winter in the best possible condition.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Whether you own one pleasure horse or manage an entire breeding operation, preparing for winter doesn’t have to be complicated. Evaluating body condition, providing quality forage, maintaining adequate water supplies, and following a strategic parasite control program can make a significant difference in your horse’s health and performance.
Taking care of these details now will help ensure your horses are ready for whatever the Texas winter brings.
Have equine or livestock questions? We are here to help! Stop by the office at 605 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood, give me a call at 325-646-0386 or email me at mailto:anna.davenport@ag.tamu.edu
Find out more about equine topics at https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/assets/animals-livestock/livestock-poultry/horses/?asset_type=publication
Read more about deworming practices at https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/more-is-not-always-better-frequent-deworming-could-stirrup-trouble-for-equine-owners/
McMasters Fecal Egg Count https://vetmed.tamu.edu/parasitology-lab/forms/

source