Preparing Your Horse and Kit for Autumn

The leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping and rides are getting a little chillier... Autumn is here, and with it comes a new routine to put in place — for your horse and for yourself! Whether you own your horse or ride at a club, this transitional season calls for a few adjustments: protecting your horse from the cold and damp, supporting their wellbeing through the change, and gearing up to ride whatever the weather. We've put together a complete selection so you don't miss a thing ✨

🐴 For your horse

Getting ahead of the cold before it sets in

Autumn is a pivotal time: nights cool down noticeably, yet days can still be mild. It's the ideal moment to rug your horse gradually, without overdoing it too soon.

For turnout or nights that are starting to turn chilly, a lightweight turnout rug with moderate fill makes all the difference. The Horseware Rhino Plus Turnout Rug, in its 0g version, is perfect for this transition: it protects against rain and wind without making your horse sweat on milder days.

After exercise, consider a cooler rug to prevent chills while your horse dries off after a session: a simple habit that can avoid many seasonal discomforts.

Also consider a quarter sheet to help your horse warm up their back before exercise 🐴 And as the days grow shorter, why not choose a reflective quarter sheet? Ideal for staying visible and enjoying your hacks safely, even as the light fades. ✨

🧡 Our favourites? The black Equithème Tyrex Lumin quarter sheet, the orange 0g TdeT reflective quarter sheet with fleece lining and the Norton fluorescent yellow 0g quarter sheet

🐴 What if your massage moments could also support your horse?

As the seasons change, consider massaging your horse to support them before and after exercise. Massage oils and warming gels for horses are especially suited to preparing muscles for exercise and encouraging relaxation after work.

Discover our selection of warming massage oils and gels for horses, designed to support your care and recovery routine.

🌱 Supplements: supporting your horse through the change of season

The change of season can affect your horse’s body: joints are put under greater strain by damp conditions, immunity is challenged, and digestion can sometimes be disrupted by a change in feed and/or changing nutrients from grass. This is the ideal time for owners to strengthen their supplement routine.

For joints, muscles and tendons, which are particularly sensitive to autumn dampness, Ravene Nutri'Flex pellet supplement helps maintain flexibility and joint comfort, whether your horse is in the midst of competition season or enjoying regular hacks.

Also consider a supplement for performance support if autumn competition days are coming one after another, and explore the general wellbeing range to support a horse that may be more sensitive or stressed by changing routines and light levels.

For horses that do not receive a daily feed ration, autumn presents a real challenge when it comes to supplements: how can you give them without a bowl of pellets to mix them into?

EquiMojo offers the perfect answer with its Equi-Immuno+ and Equi-Draino+ products, which can be given directly by hand like a treat, with no base feed required. Equi-Immuno+, rich in echinacea, rosehip and ginseng, supports natural defences during shedding and seasonal weather changes. Complementing it, Equi-Draino+, made with artichoke, milk thistle and black radish, helps the liver and kidneys better manage dietary transition as the grass changes in quality. Two 40-day courses, easy to begin even without an established feeding routine, to help your horse move through autumn smoothly.

✨ Pamper your horse’s mane and coat before winter

Before the winter coat starts to appear, autumn is the perfect time to pamper your horse’s coat. A well-maintained mane helps prevent knots, makes daily grooming easier and keeps the winter coat more manageable. Explore our full selection in the mane & coat category.

For grey or white horses, autumn is no longer the season for deep-cleaning shampoos to remove stains: instead, choose stain-removing sprays, quicker to use and perfectly suited to regular care 😉

Rider: gearing up to ride in any weather

Whether you own your horse or ride at a club, autumn is for you too! Light rain, a cool breeze, muddy ground... that's no reason to skip your lessons or hacks.

For truly rainy days, choose a well-cut, waterproof rain jacket, designed to keep you dry from head to toe. On cooler days, a warm coat will make all the difference, whether at the yard or out hacking. Complete your look on cold days with winter gloves and a headband.

Finally, for your legs, the Harcour Jaltika riding breeches with their water-repellent finish let you ride with confidence, even in light rain.

Questions we're often asked about autumn

When should you start rugging your horse in autumn? There is no single rule: it depends on your horse’s breed, coat thickness, age and lifestyle. Generally, start monitoring nights below 5°C with rain or wind, choosing a lightweight rug first rather than using a heavy fill too early.

What supplements should I give my horse in autumn? The most useful supplements at this time of year focus on joint support (particularly affected by damp conditions), immunity, and digestive comfort — especially if the feed ration is shifting gradually to winter forage.

How do I stop my horse from catching a chill after exercise? A cooler rug right after work, while the sweat dries off, is the most effective step — especially as temperatures start to dip in the evenings.

Do you need special gear to ride in the rain during autumn? A waterproof or softshell jacket, suitable gloves and a quick-drying saddle pad are more than enough to keep riding comfortably, whether you are at the yard or competing.