10/03/2026
Down here in the South, “fall” doesn’t necessarily mean crisp 50 degree days in September. 😂
Our real temperature changes tend to start showing up more in October, and sometimes that means going from an 80 degree afternoon to a surprisingly chilly night.
Those swings can change how our horses feel.
As temperatures drop, you may notice an older horse taking a little longer to loosen up, a horse feeling stiffer at the beginning of a ride, or muscles that just don’t feel quite as soft as they did during summer.
With youngsters or more spry horses, you might notice a bit of pep in their step, maybe a bit of excess energy needing to be released.
Blankets start coming out soon, which means this is your reminder to actually get your hands underneath them.
Feel your horse’s back. Run your hands over their shoulders, neck and hindquarters. Notice what’s normal for your horse so you can recognize when something changes.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn is associated with the Metal element and traditionally carries themes of letting go, reflection and preparing for the quieter energy of winter.
Look at what’s happening in nature.
Days are getting shorter. Plants are dying back. Trees are dropping their leaves. Animals begin changing their routines. Their coats begin to grow.
Everything is moving from the outward, expansive energy of summer toward rest, conservation and preparation.
Sometimes this season is an opportunity to slow down and ask:
What does my horse need going into winter?
There are plenty of simple ways to support them through the transition:
🍂 Give them a longer warm-up. Especially on cooler mornings, spend more time walking before asking for harder work. Ideally 15 minutes minimum.
🍂 Keep them moving. Turnout, hand walking and gentle movement can be incredibly valuable when horses start feeling a little stiffer.
🍂 Check underneath the blanket. Don’t let “blanket season” turn into weeks without really feeling your horse’s body. Check muscle tone, tenderness, skin, weight and overall condition.
🍂 Pay attention to water intake. Cooler weather can change drinking behavior, so keep an eye on hydration and make sure water remains easily accessible and appealing. Adding plain white salt is a great way to encourage horses to drink, and ensure they’re getting their daily sodium intake.
🍂 Support forage intake. Horses generate a significant amount of heat through fermentation of forage, making adequate forage especially important as temperatures fall. Forage 24/7.
🍂 Consider your older horses. Arthritis and other chronic discomfort can become more noticeable as routines and temperatures change. They may benefit from additional warm up time, movement and conversations with your veterinarian about winter management.
Fall isn’t the end of growth, but the season that winds us down to transform over winter and emerge renewed.
And maybe our horses can teach us a little something about that, too. 🍂
