Supporting Joint and Respiratory Health in Horses During Winter

Winter can be a challenging time for horses, particularly when it comes to joint comfort and respiratory health. Cold, damp weather, reduced turnout, changes in exercise routines, and increased time spent in stabled environments can all contribute to stiffness and respiratory irritation. With the right management and nutritional support, however, owners can help their horses stay comfortable, healthy, and performing well throughout the colder months.

Joint Health in Winter
Cold weather is well known for exacerbating stiffness in both older horses and those in regular work. Reduced turnout during wet or icy conditions can compound the problem, as horses naturally benefit from low-level, continuous movement throughout the day.
Maintaining consistent exercise is one of the most effective ways to support joint mobility in winter. Even light hacking, in-hand walking, or controlled turnout can help keep joints lubricated and muscles supple. Appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines become even more important at this time of year.

Nutrition also plays a key role. Diets that supply adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in Carron Oil and targeted joint-support ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, in Flexyl HA can help maintain healthy joint metabolism. Ensuring the horse is not overweight is equally important, as excess body condition places additional stress on the musculoskeletal system.

Rugging appropriately to keep muscles warm, and therefore less tense, can also indirectly contribute to joint comfort. Horses that are clipped, older, or naturally lean may particularly benefit from consistent thermal protection during colder spells.

Respiratory Health in Winter
As horses spend more time indoors during winter, respiratory health becomes a major concern. Stables often have increased levels of dust, ammonia, fungal spores, and airborne particles, all of which can irritate the airways. Horses with sensitive respiratory systems or a history of issues such as coughing, airway inflammation, or equine asthma may find their symptoms worsen during this season.

Improving stable ventilation is one of the most effective ways to protect respiratory health. Good airflow does not mean drafts, it means consistent, natural movement of fresh air in and stale air out. Removing cobwebs, opening upper stable doors, and avoiding blocked vents can make a significant difference.

Choosing low-dust bedding and feeding steamed or soaked hay can dramatically reduce airborne particles. Keeping mucking-out times separate from when horses are inside also helps minimise dust exposure.

Nutritional support can offer additional benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in Carron Oil, are often used to support the body’s natural inflammatory responses within the airways. Respiratory supplements, such as Bronc-Eze, can be helpful to manage excess mucus in the airways, particularly in horses subjected to stable dust or strenuous exercise. This can be especially useful for performance horses that continue to train throughout winter.

Routine management, such as avoiding riding in cold, dry air without an adequate warm-up, reducing exposure to indoor arenas with poor ventilation, and maintaining regular turnout where possible, further helps protect respiratory function.

Supporting horses through the winter months requires a combination of environmental management, consistent exercise, and appropriate nutritional support. By addressing both joint and respiratory health proactively, owners can help ensure their horses remain comfortable, mobile, and breathing easily even in the most challenging winter conditions.