9 Signs Your Horse Needs Extra Support This Fall

The leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter, and we’re all reaching for an extra layer. And our horses feel these seasonal shifts too! Shorter daylight hours and cooler weather don’t just mean fluffier coats: they can also nudge your horse’s immune system, joints, and even mood off balance. 

Here are 9 signs your horse might need extra support this fall, and how to spot them before they turn into bigger problems:

During shedding season, some horses may benefit from a little extra support to help their coat change smoothly. It’s not necessary for every horse, but an extra boost can certainly make a difference. And when you notice that they are still in a thin summer coat when the days are getting chillier, extra support might be necessary. 

Navalis Shed with ease bundle is perfect that could use added support for skin, coat, and immune function! 

Don’t let the fluff fool you, that cozy coat your horse is rocking can hide a lot: including ribs or muscle loss. Give your horse a good feel along their neck, back, and sides. If you notice more bone than you’d like, it’s time to give them a little bit more fuel this fall.  

A great supplement you can add to your horse’s daily feed is Curragh Carron Oil. This high-quality blend of cold-pressed linseed oil and calcium is a natural source of essential fatty acids, supporting healthy digestion, vitality, and a shiny coat. It’s an easy way to give your horse that extra boost from the inside out. 

Especially seniors, hard keepers, or horses coming out of a busy competition summer season can have a sudden change in weight when the temperature drops. And some horses simply burn through calories faster! 

Maybe it’s time to switch your horse’s feed? Shop our favorite feed here.

3 Stiffness or slower warm-up 

Fall is the unofficial snooze-season (it just takes a little longer to get moving on a chilly morning!) and your horse feels the same. As the temperature drops, old aches like arthritis or joint discomfort can make your horse slower to warm up and a little stiffer in their movement. 

If your horse needs more time than usual, and if movements feel a little less smooth, it’s a hint they might need some extra joint support.  

Shop our favorite joint support here.

4 Coat and hooves 

4a. Dull or rough coat 

Instead of growing a sleek, fluffy winter coat, your horse’s hair looks patchy, dry, or lacks shine? 

The shine of your horse’s coat is a window to their health: if the coat looks patchy or dry, it could be your horse’s way of telling you that’s something’s off: maybe in their nutrition, digestion, or overall wellbeing.  

4b. Hoof changes 

Soggy autumn ground can be tough on hooves: cracks sneaking in, slower growth, or a bit more sensitivity than usual. A little extra support goes a long way! 

Healthy hoof and coat with Global Medics’ Hoof & Coat.  

Whether your horse is a picky eater or an easy keeper, cooler weather can bring subtle changes in how they eat and drink. One day with a little less water or a few skipped bites might not have the biggest effect but keep an eye out that it does not become a habit to skip on food and water, because this can raise the risk of colic.  

💡 Make sure your horse eats and drinks regularly, and always check that are minimal food left overs, as this could indicate an issue. Chewing roughage is their natural way to stay warm: like an internal heater working from the inside out! 

💡 When you notice less water intake you can switch to a mash instead of pellets, or add a cup of water to their feed. Shop our favorite mashes here.

Your horse is not their usual forward self under the saddle, or slower to come from the field? You know them best, and you know: something’s up.  

Cooler weather, longer nights, or even subtle health changes can take away from their spark. Time for some extra support? Shop our favorite support for the fall season here. 

Respiratory issues like coughing, nasal discharge, or wheezing often flare up when horses spend more time indoors. Dry, dusty air from bedding, hay, and reduced ventilation can irritate the lungs, making respiratory support especially important during stable season. 

Shop our favorite support for breathing here.

A suddenly grumpy horse, spooking at shadows that weren’t scary yesterday, or just seeming a bit more tense: behavioral changes often tell us that something’s up. Horses can’t tell us with words, so these mood shifts are their way of waving a little flag that they might be uncomfortable.  

Time for a little stress reliever? This Unika Ball is both a funky decoration and a great support for your horses well being.

That endless tail swishing, mane rubbing, or constantly asking for scratches? Often it’s the aftermath of pesky summer insects (hello, sweet itch) or skin grumbles made worse by soggy, muddy conditions, or even a change of feed (less fresh grass, more hay). 

When the itch won’t quit, it’s your horse’s way of saying their skin needs some relief. Shop Orthosal Zink Horse to support the regeneration for hooves and skin.

Key takeaways from this blog🍁 

🍂 Spotting these signs early helps you keep your horse healthy, comfortable, and ready to enjoy autumn.