How Climate Change Could Change Horse Care

"The way we care for horses has never stood still. As our climate changes, our management may need to change too."

For generations, horse care in the UK has been built around familiar seasons.

Spring grass arrives.Summer competitions begin.Autumn brings mud.Winter means rugs, hay and frozen water buckets.

But those patterns are becoming less predictable.

Whether discussing unusually hot summers, prolonged dry spells, intense rainfall or milder winters, many horse owners are already noticing changes in the way they manage their horses.

This isn't about politics.

It's about welfare.

If the environment changes, good horse care should evolve alongside it.

Hotter Horses

Horses are remarkably adaptable animals, but they can only regulate body temperature within certain limits.

As average temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent, managing heat stress is becoming an increasingly important part of horse ownership.

Many owners are already adapting by:

• Riding early in the morning or later in the evening.

• Providing more shade.

• Increasing access to fresh water.

• Allowing longer recovery periods after exercise.

• Monitoring horses more closely during hot weather.

Heat stress is not always obvious.

A horse that seems unusually quiet, reluctant to move, breathing heavily or recovering slowly after exercise may be struggling to cool itself effectively.

As our summers become warmer, recognising the early signs of heat-related illness may become just as important as recognising colic or laminitis.

Rethinking Turnout

Traditionally, horses have often been turned out during the day and stabled overnight.

In some parts of the UK, that pattern is already beginning to change.

During periods of extreme heat, daytime turnout may expose horses to:

• intense sunshine

• biting insects

• dehydration

• reduced grazing

• prolonged standing in direct sunlight

Some owners are instead choosing overnight turnout during heatwaves, allowing horses to graze when temperatures are cooler and flies are less active.

There is unlikely to be one solution that suits every horse, but greater flexibility may become increasingly important.

Grass May Not Behave Like It Used To

Grass growth depends on temperature, rainfall and sunlight.

Changing weather patterns may alter:

• when grass grows

• how quickly it grows

• the nutritional value of grazing

• the types of plants found in our fields

Long dry periods can leave paddocks brown and sparse.

Heavy rainfall afterwards may produce sudden flushes of rapid growth.

These changing patterns could make managing weight, laminitis and grazing more challenging than relying on traditional seasonal expectations.

Instead of assuming "spring grass is the dangerous time", future management may depend more on weather conditions than the calendar.

Water Will Become Even More Valuable

Clean water has always been essential.

Periods of drought, followed by intense rainfall, can create new challenges.

Owners may need to think more carefully about:

• ensuring reliable water supplies

• preventing troughs from overheating

• checking water quality

• maintaining natural watercourses

• planning for periods of restricted rainfall

Hydration is closely linked with digestion, temperature regulation and overall health.

As temperatures rise, water management may become one of the most important aspects of horse care.

Parasites and Disease May Change

Climate influences many of the insects and parasites that affect horses.

Warmer conditions may allow some species to survive further north or remain active for longer periods of the year.

This could influence:

• ticks

• mosquitoes

• biting midges

• internal parasites

Rather than following the same worming schedule every year, horse owners are increasingly encouraged to use faecal egg counts and risk-based parasite control.

Future parasite management is likely to become even more evidence-based as conditions continue to change.

Forage May Become Less Predictable

Extreme weather affects the people growing hay and haylage as much as the horses eating it.

Very wet springs, drought conditions or poor harvesting weather can reduce both yield and quality.

This may mean:

• higher forage prices

• greater seasonal shortages

• increased use of alternative fibre sources

• more careful forage planning

For many owners, buying winter hay months in advance may become increasingly important.

Trees May Become Some of Our Best Stable Managers

For years, trees have often been removed to create larger grazing areas.

Ironically, they may become one of our most valuable resources.

Well-managed trees can:

• provide natural shade

• reduce radiant heat

• shelter horses from wind

• improve drainage

• encourage biodiversity

• help reduce soil erosion

Planting suitable trees today could improve horse welfare for decades to come.

Competition May Continue to Adapt

Many equestrian organisations already modify competitions during periods of extreme weather.

As hotter summers become more common, we may see:

• earlier start times

• additional water stations

• longer recovery periods

• increased veterinary monitoring

• more flexible scheduling

These changes are not about reducing standards.

They are about protecting welfare.

Looking After the People Matters Too

Climate change affects horse owners as well as horses.

Working in extreme heat increases the risk of dehydration, fatigue and heat illness.

Older owners, children and those with health conditions may find yard work becomes significantly more demanding during hot weather.

Good horse welfare depends on healthy, capable caregivers.

Looking after ourselves is part of looking after our horses.

Planning for the Future

No one knows exactly how our climate will change over the coming decades.

What seems clear is that flexibility will become increasingly important.

Good horse care has always evolved.

We no longer manage horses exactly as people did fifty years ago.

Research has improved our understanding of nutrition, behaviour, pain, training and welfare.

Climate is simply another area where learning and adaptation may be needed.

As horse owners, we cannot control the weather.

But we can control how willing we are to learn, prepare and adjust.

The horses in our care rely on us to notice when the world around them changes.

Our responsibility is to change with it.

Key Takeaways

• Climate change is likely to influence many aspects of horse care.

• Hot weather management is becoming increasingly important.

• Grass growth, parasites and forage production may become less predictable.

• Flexible management will often be more useful than relying on traditional seasonal routines.

• Preparing early can help protect horse welfare as environmental conditions evolve.

Horse welfare has always depended on good observation.

As the climate changes, that skill may become more valuable than ever.