🌿 Spring into Action: Tips for a Healthy Season with Your Horse
As the days get longer and the first green shoots push through the frost, we know spring has arrived—and with it, a fresh chapter for you and your horse. After a long winter of muddy fields, clipped coats, and careful management, it’s time to adjust routines and refocus on wellness and conditioning.
Here are our top springtime tips to help your horse step into the new season healthy, happy, and ready for the months ahead.
1. Ease Back into Work
Even if your horse stayed in light work through winter, chances are they’ve lost some fitness or muscle tone. Begin with low-impact exercises like long hacks, pole work, and hill walking to build strength gradually. Don’t rush the process—conditioning takes time, but it lays the foundation for soundness all season long.
💡 ArcEquine Tip: Use the ArcEquine device as part of your horse’s post-exercise recovery routine to support circulation, aid muscle repair, and help prevent stiffness.
2. Monitor Hoof Health
Wet, muddy fields followed by dry, hard ground can wreak havoc on hooves. Keep a close eye out for thrush, cracks, or abscesses. A regular trim schedule is essential, and a good farrier can spot any changes early.
🌱 Spring bonus: Pick out hooves daily, especially after turnout, and consider a hoof supplement if your horse has brittle or weak feet.
3. Check Rugs and Coats
As temperatures fluctuate, it’s time to start peeling back the layers. Over-rugging can lead to overheating, coat dullness, and skin issues like rain scald. Choose breathable rugs and aim to remove rugs altogether on milder days to encourage natural shedding.
🧼 Don’t forget a good grooming session! It’s not just about shedding that winter coat—it’s bonding, circulation-boosting, and a chance to check for lumps, bumps, or cuts.
🧽And now is the perfect time to send those winter rugs off to be washed, so you can be smug next Autumn when you go to get them out and they are fresh and clean!
4. Turnout Transitions
If your horse had limited turnout over winter, ease them back into grazing slowly to prevent digestive upset or laminitis, especially for good-doers. Gradually increase time on grass.
🌼 Spring pastures are rich—watch for weight gain and keep condition scoring part of your weekly routine.
5. Parasite Control
Spring is a key time to reassess your worming plan. Work with your vet to create a strategy based on fecal egg counts (FEC) and grazing management—not guesswork. Also, start thinking about fly control before the bugs arrive in full force.
🐛 Prevention beats cure every time when it comes to parasites—especially encysted redworm and tapeworm.
6. Support Joints and Soft Tissue
Coming out of winter, horses—especially older ones—may feel stiffer or less fluid in their movement. Support joints and soft tissue with appropriate nutrition, movement, and therapeutic support.
🔋 ArcEquine’s microcurrent therapy can be a non-invasive, drug-free way to help manage joint discomfort, support tendon and ligament recovery, and keep your horse moving freely.
7. Set Your Goals
Whether it’s long summer hacks, a return to competition, or simply enjoying more quality time in the saddle—spring is a great time to refocus your intentions. Set realistic, horse-centered goals and build a plan around consistency, health, and fun.
🎯 Your horse doesn’t care about ribbons—but they’ll love the time, care, and connection you invest.
Let Spring Begin 🌸
Every season brings its own challenges and joys, but spring has a special kind of energy. It’s a time of awakening—of new beginnings and fresh starts. With the right care, your horse can thrive through the transition and feel their very best heading into summer.
📩 Have a springtime tip or question? We’d love to hear from you. Share your stories with us on Instagram @arcequine or drop us a message!
