Supporting Equine Health in Winter Stabling

Winter is one of the most testing times for horse health. Cold, damp weather brings mud, condensation, and reduced airflow, and with more time spent indoors, the risks to health and welfare increase. This makes equine health in winter stabling a critical focus, as respiratory irritation, hoof problems, and stress are all more likely if environments are not carefully managed.

Stabling should do more than provide shelter. When designed with welfare at its core, it actively supports health by maintaining airflow, helping to manage moisture levels, and creating calm, secure spaces. 

This principle applies to every form of stabling. Temporary stables, when thoughtfully designed, support horses through winter every bit as effectively as permanent housing. Their versatility means they can be used in many ways, including for long-term rental. This includes providing cover or extra capacity during foaling or refurbishments, supporting seasonal peaks, and offering longer-term hire for yards that need reliable, welfare-led housing as a practical alternative to permanent construction.

But whatever the reason for their use, winter always brings a set of health and welfare challenges that stables must be designed to meet. Horses housed for longer periods face pressures ranging from air quality and hoof health to thermal comfort, biosecurity and mental wellbeing. Each of these areas is shaped not only by daily care, but also by how the stabling itself is designed.

Respiratory Health in Winter Stabling

One of the most immediate concerns is air quality. Horses produce warm, moist breath, which can quickly condense in enclosed spaces. The British Horse Society’s guidance on stable design highlights that poor ventilation is a key factor contributing to respiratory irritation.

Good design reduces this risk. Roof structures that promote airflow, stable layouts that allow fresh air to circulate, and designs that minimise stagnant areas all support better air quality. While management practices remain essential, well-ventilated stables help reduce moisture and dust build-up, creating a healthier atmosphere for horses during long periods indoors.

Hoof Health and Mud Management

Outside the stable, saturated fields and muddy gateways are unavoidable in winter. Indoors, poorly drained floors or damp bedding can prolong that exposure. World Horse Welfare’s guidance on wet winter management notes that prolonged standing in wet or muddy conditions increases the likelihood of hoof problems such as thrush and mud fever, making drainage and ground management essential.

Features such as good drainage underfoot, roof overhangs that limit rain blowing in, and layouts that prevent water pooling all help maintain drier conditions. These principles not only improve bedding but also contribute to healthier hooves throughout the season.

But healthy hooves are only part of the picture. Winter weather also places extra demands on horses’ overall comfort.

Thermal Comfort

Horses are naturally well adapted to the cold but less tolerant of damp and wind. Prolonged exposure increases stress, while over-rugging to compensate can create new welfare risks. World Horse Welfare’s rugging guidance cautions that unnecessary rugging can cause overheating and skin irritation.

Stable environments can help balance these pressures. Solid walls protect against wind and rain, while ventilation ensures stables do not become stuffy. This balance allows horses to regulate naturally, staying comfortable without excessive intervention.

Infectious Disease Control

Closer stabling in winter increases the risk of infectious disease spreading between horses. The British Equine Veterinary Association advises that biosecurity depends on surfaces being easy to clean and disinfect.

Designing with hygiene in mind helps reduce this risk. Non-porous materials, straightforward layouts, and consistent construction across blocks help maintain biosecurity when housing larger groups of horses.

Mental Wellbeing and Recovery

Welfare is not just physical. The stable environment also affects how horses feel and behave. Horses stabled in dark, airless, or unstable-feeling structures may become stressed. The Royal Veterinary College highlights how well-lit, well-ventilated stable design supports calmer behaviour and better recovery after exercise.

Light, secure, and consistent environments help horses settle more easily. For competition horses coming out of the season, youngstock, or simply those spending longer indoors, stabling that supports calm behaviour is as important as meeting physical needs.

Equine Health in Winter Stabling

This theme runs through every challenge explored above, from air quality and hoof health to comfort, biosecurity, and mental wellbeing. Together, they show how design directly supports welfare during the colder months.

Conclusion

Winter stabling inevitably brings pressures. The question is whether those challenges become risks to health or are reduced by thoughtful design and good management.

When built with welfare in mind, stables create healthier, calmer environments for horses throughout the colder months. And while temporary stables may once have been viewed as a compromise, modern welfare-led design shows they can perform every bit as effectively as permanent housing. These stables create secure, adaptable spaces that help horses stay healthy, recover, and thrive through the challenges of winter.