Managing Overweight Horses Through Winter

By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS

Managing Horses Carrying Excess Weight Through Winter

Over the last few weeks, we’ve focused on how to support health and weight gain in under conditioned horses - but what about those equines that have come out of summer carrying a little too much condition? How do we support them through the winter months, and can we even use the colder weather to our advantage?

Start with an Honest Weight Assessment

First and foremost, take an objective look at your horse or pony’s weight and body condition. Assess fat cover using a body condition scoring (BCS) system as a guide. A weight tape or weighbridge can also be extremely useful, but the key is establishing a clear and accurate starting point.

It’s easy to underestimate how much our horses weigh and to assume they don’t need to lose much. If you’re unsure, ask your vet or local feed representative to help you assess your horse and develop a tailored management plan.

Winter Weight Management: Friend or Foe?

Winter offers both opportunities and challenges when managing excess weight.

For horses living outdoors, pasture quality naturally declines, and colder temperatures help them burn additional calories to maintain body heat. These factors can support gradual weight loss.

However, horses stabled for longer periods often move less, making weight management more difficult. It’s also easy to overfeed or over-rug, especially when we humans feel the cold more than they do.

Forage First: Building a Low-Calorie Winter Diet

Forage forms the foundation of every equine diet - and the good news is that lower-calorie forage choices work extremely well for horses that need to reduce body condition.

Aim to feed approximately 1.5–2% of body weight (dry matter) per day in forage, ideally hay. Up to 50% of the ration can be safely replaced with straw, providing a lower-calorie alternative that still satisfies natural foraging behaviour.

Straw also requires more chewing, which increases saliva production and supports gastric health.

Encourage Movement Throughout Winter

Most horses naturally move less in winter, particularly when turnout is restricted. However, movement is essential for healthy weight reduction.

Turnout: Provide turnout wherever possible, even if only for a few hours. If turnout options are limited, consider placing multiple small hay nets around the area to encourage gentle movement.

Exercise: Every bit contributes. In-hand walking, hacking, schooling, polework, or light jumping can all support weight control.

Even modest, consistent exercise paired with an appropriate diet can have a meaningful impact over time.

Reduce Unnecessary Calories

Horses on a calorie-restricted diet typically do not require hard feed. Conditioning mixes and cereals provide additional energy they do not need - and the same applies to treats.

Instead, provide a low-calorie balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure your horse’s diet remains fully balanced without excess energy. Some owners find it helpful to use the balancer ration itself in place of treats.

We recommend feeding Pink Mash paired with a vitamin and mineral supplement. Or for a balancer option, Perfect Balance offers a low calorie option for horses and ponies that would benefit from this.

Rugging: Less Is Often More

Many owners reach for extra rugs during winter, but horses carrying excess weight often benefit from using their natural insulation to help burn calories.

Allow your horse to grow a full winter coat and only apply rugs if they are:

• Fully clipped - even then, rugs can be removed for part of the day to support weight management.

• Elderly or underweight

• Living out in persistent wet or extreme weather, where a lightweight waterproof rug (0g) may be appropriate.

Provide a shelter or windbreak for comfort, but allow the colder temperatures to assist in managing excess condition where safe and appropriate.

Monitor Bedding Intake

If your horse is on a controlled diet, be mindful of bedding intake. Straw or straw-based bedding can be appealing to an energy-restricted horse. Although lower in calories than hay, this additional intake can still contribute to weight gain, so monitor carefully.

In Summary: Supporting Healthy Weight Loss in Winter

Managing horses carrying excess weight through winter is all about finding the right balance. Make use of natural seasonal advantages such as colder weather and reduced grass availability, while ensuring forage is managed responsibly, movement is encouraged, and rugging and feeding practices are appropriate.

With consistency and a clear plan, your horse can enter spring healthier, lighter, and better prepared for the year ahead.