Take action now, say vets

Put things in place now that will see your horse through the winter fit and healthy, says Colin Mitchell RCVS. Here are his top five must-dos: Get your horse’s teeth checked — He’ll be reliant on hay during the winter and he needs to be able to chew efficiently and comfortably. Book an appointment with your equine dental technician today to avoid problems later. Kill those tapeworms — Autumn is a prime time to worm for these parasites. A tapeworm burden increases the risk of colic. Clip for comfort — If your horse is working over winter, or has a particularly long or dense coat, clipping will prevent skin issues. If he’s developed a coat that is significantly longer than is usual for him, your vet will want to test for Cushing’s. Check his physique — In summer, when he’s ridden more, your horse’s shape changes and his muscles may have become tight too. Ask his physio and saddle fitter to check him over. Leave him out — Don’t be in a rush to stable him. As long as your horse has some shelter in his field, like a hedge or a hollow, he’ll be fine unless it gets really wet and wild.