29/09/2026
💡Topic Tuesday : SUMMER TO AUTUMN: Preparing Your Horse or Pony for the Seasonal Change 💡
As temperatures fall, daylight hours shorten and rainfall increases, autumn brings several changes that can affect your horse or pony’s health and management.
Here are some key areas to consider:
🌱 Grass & weight management
Autumn grass can remain surprisingly rich, particularly after rain. Monitor body condition regularly and be mindful of weight gain, especially in good-doers and native breeds. Changes in grazing should be gradual wherever possible.
💧 Water intake
Horses may drink less as temperatures drop. Always provide clean, fresh water and check troughs and drinkers regularly.
🧥 Rugs
Avoid rugging based purely on the calendar. Consider your horse’s individual needs, including body condition, age, workload, coat, shelter and the prevailing weather. Over-rugging can lead to overheating and sweating.
🦶 Hoof health
Persistent wet and muddy conditions can increase the risk of hoof problems. Pick out feet regularly and check for thrush, cracks, bruising, and soreness.
🟤 Mud fever — know the signs
Wet, muddy conditions can contribute to pastern dermatitis, commonly referred to as mud fever.
Look out for:
• Red, sore or inflamed skin, particularly around the pasterns and heels
• Scabs or crusting
• Matted hair and/or hair loss
• Swelling or heat
• Oozing or discharge
• Sensitivity or reluctance to move
Early recognition is important. Avoid aggressively picking scabs and seek veterinary advice if the condition is painful, spreading, persistent or severe.
🪱 AUTUMN PARASITE CONTROL — TEST, DON’T GUESS
A targeted parasite-control programme is preferable to routine, unnecessary worming.
Faecal Worm Egg Count (FWEC)
An FWEC can help monitor adult redworm/strongyle egg shedding. However, a negative or low FWEC does not rule out encysted small redworm, because immature larvae do not produce eggs.
Tapeworm testing
A saliva test can be used to assess exposure to tapeworm and help determine whether treatment is indicated. This is particularly useful as part of a targeted parasite-control programme.
Encysted small redworm
There is currently no routine test that reliably detects encysted small redworm in an individual horse. FWEC cannot detect these immature stages. Therefore, assessment of the risk from encysted small redworm needs to consider factors such as the horse’s previous FWEC results, parasite-control history, age and grazing management.
Treatment decisions should be discussed with your vet particularly for horses that have not been appropriately managed for small redworm.
⚠️ Important: Never assume that a negative FWEC means a horse is free from all worm burdens. Different tests detect different parasites and life stages.
🌧️ Turnout & mud management
Where possible, provide access to well-drained areas and shelter. Regularly check legs, particularly if your horse is standing in deep mud for prolonged periods.
🌙 Shorter days & visibility
With darker mornings and evenings, visibility becomes increasingly important. Use appropriate reflective clothing and equipment when riding or handling horses near roads.
❤️ Every horse is an individual.
Autumn management should be based on your horse or pony’s age, condition, workload, environment and previous health history — not simply the changing season.
