Expert advice on horse rugs, worms, and weight this spring

We’ve survived those gruelling winter months of mud, darkness, and icy rain, as sunlight is finally beginning to break through the clouds! But we’re not the only ones celebrating the return of lighter evenings and slightly warmer weather – our horses often find spring an exciting time, too. 

Despite our collective joy at the prospect of seeing our horses in daylight again, spring also brings with it a few extra risks for our four-legged friends. Spring is a prime time for worms to resurface, for grass to grow, and for that eternal debate as to which rugs to put on our horses. 

Luckily, our Animal Wellbeing Specialist, Catrin George, has teamed up with Sally Burton, Head of Sanctuary Care at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, to share their spring horse care advice!

Should you rug your horse in spring?

Many horses wear a rug during colder weather to help regulate their body temperature – especially when their coats have been clipped. Yet, not all horses will need to wear a rug at all times. A study in the international journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science demonstrated that some horses might prefer not to wear a rug when temperatures are above 10°C. So, it’s essential to consider our horses’ individual health, coat type, and living environment (e.g. whether they’re stabled or in a field) whenever we put them in a rug.

(It’s worth noting that temperatures aren’t the only reason for rugging a horse; for example, waterproof rugs can offer protection from wet weather, too!)

Sally Burton, Head of Sanctuary Care at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary says:  

“Rugging is a common practice at most times of the year for a lot of horse keepers. Deciding when to rug seems to be a very individual choice (to the keeper) and, on balance, horses are probably rugged more often than is necessary.  

At The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, rug-use is always horse-needs-led. Most of our equines are hardy types and we allow them to grow their own winter coat which keeps them warm enough, and they stay dry underneath the top layer, but there are always exceptions. 

If we have clipped a horse's coat for exercise or veterinary treatment reasons, or they are sick, we may need to provide them with a rug for protection. Elderly horses are less able to thermoregulate, so may need the help of a rug. Finer breeds, such as thoroughbreds, do not grow such a good winter coat and are not as hardy, so are likely to need rugging in the worst weather. 

Horses generally tend to do well in cold weather, and do not feel the cold as much as we do. Just because we are cold doesn't mean they are.” 

Leaving a horse rugged during warmer temperatures can sometimes cause them to overheat as well. Catrin pinpoints the signs of overheating to look out for when rugging a horse in late spring: 

“Horses are at risk of overheating when their body temperature is too high. Each horse is a unique individual with their own levels of tolerance for warmer conditions. But generally, horses living in the UK are unlikely to cope above 28°C. Some of the tell-tale signs that your horse is overheating include; excessive sweating, fast, shallow breathing, and a decreased appetite. 

Symptoms can appear suddenly, without warning – so, it’s vital to stay vigilant and monitor your horse’s wellbeing. If you spot any signs that your horse’s body temperature is too high, call a vet immediately for advice.” 

The rise of worming resistance

Worming is a familiar routine for horse owners across the UK. However, research has shown that worms can develop resistance to the active ingredients in worming products. 

Unfortunately, when parasites become resistant to the active ingredients used in worming products, those products are no longer effective at protecting our horses from worms.  

Sally adds: 

“Parasite resistance is very concerning. If we continue to overuse or inappropriately use wormers on our horses, we risk such resistance levels that these products will become completely ineffective. There are currently no new drugs in development for the control of internal parasites, so once what we have available is no longer effective, we will have very little ability to manage parasite burdens.” 

There are different types of parasites that pose a threat to horses throughout the year, which is why it’s so important to use worming products strategically, as Catrin explains:  

“That’s where targeted worming comes in, meaning that we only give our horses wormer products when there’s evidence that they need it. That way, we’re lowering the risk of worms becoming resistant to the products, because our horses aren’t exposed to those active ingredients as often. 

Alongside performing Faecal Worm Egg Counts (FWECs) and following your vet’s advice about worming, there are some management practices that can be put in place to improve worm control. These include ensuring enough field space for the number of horses (at least one to one-and-a-half acres per horse), poo-pick paddocks and fields every day, where possible, and avoid using horse manure to fertilise fields used for grazing.” 

Exercise and weight loss

Weight gain is another health concern that faces horse owners as the months start to become warmer, due to increased risks associated with health issues like EMS and laminitis. 

Thankfully, there are ways to help your horse maintain a healthy weight, as Sally says:  

“Horses naturally increase their weight through the summer months when the grass quality and quantity is better and decrease again over the winter. But rugging hardier types can have weight management implications, too. Horses can use up to 80% of their energy keeping warm, so if we rug them, they do not use up that energy, which then gets stored as fat. So, if you have a horse that needs to shed a few pounds, spring might be the perfect time to start easing off the rugs.”  

Whether your horse needs to gain weight, lose weight, or maintain a healthy weight, it’s always worth contacting a vet to make sure their needs are being met. 

Catrin adds:  

“It’s important that any changes to your horse’s diet are made slowly, to give their digestive system time to adjust. Although restricting your horse’s diet to help them lose weight might seem like a good idea, it isn’t. Starvation diets are dangerous to horses because they require a near-constant supply of fibre to stay healthy.
 
Instead, consider double netting the hay or even splitting it across multiple haynets (if you use haynets), a grazing muzzle, or swapping out hard feed for molasses-free chaff. 

Gently increasing your horse’s exercise routine, through a well-developed fitness plan, is also an effective way to prevent your equine from becoming overweight. But exercising your horse doesn’t just have to involve riding! From lunging and in-hand walks to carriage driving and horse agility, there’s a fantastic form of equestrian exercise out there for everyone.”  

Although spring brings with it some concerns for horse owners, by following expert advice and communicating with veterinary professionals, your horse could enjoy this season to the full! 

About The Mare and Foal Sanctuary… 

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is the place for people who want to make a difference to the lives of horses, ponies and foals. Together with its supporters, it provides lifelong sanctuary to rescued equines, rehoming, welfare outreach and advice and Equine Assisted Services. The charity is based in Devon and works across the Southwest of England. As a registered charity, it relies entirely on donations and legacy gifts.