28/02/2026
As we technically come to the end of winter, a quick health check helps set your horse up for a strong spring. 🐴
Here is some helpful advise from vet Harriet Deeming. 👇
𝟏. 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
🔹Body condition score – be aware winter coats can hide weight loss or gain. Use your hand to check for any lost muscle, angular hindquarters, prominent spine or ribs.
🔹Weigh tapes can be a useful way to monitor changes in weight.
🔹Physical exam – check for any new lumps or bumps or wounds.
🔹Vital signs – Heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, capillary refill time and
mucous membrane colour.
🔹Monitor their eating habits – are they chewing ok and not dropping food etc. A dental check up might be needed if your horse has been eating more hay and less pasture over winter for example.
🔹Assess movement – older horses may suffer more with stiffness through colder
temperatures and/or being stabled more
2. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘁
🔹Mud fever – check pasterns for matted areas of hair with crusty scabs.
🔹Rain scald – inspect the back, neck and hindquarters in particular for painful scabs with tufts of hair – usually secondary to prolonged wet condition, sweat and/or over rugging.
🔹Lice – usually in thick coated breeds and cause itchiness.
🔹Groom more thoroughly when winter coat starts shedding.
3. 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
🔹Vaccinations – check these are up to date.
🔹Worming – test for encysted red worm.
