Why Winter Riding Matters: Protecting Winter Grazing & Keeping Horses Healthy
Including the Impact of Recent Flooding on Co. Down’s Grassland
Winter brings tougher conditions for horse owners, but the recent flooding across Co. Down has pushed many grazing paddocks beyond their limits. With fields waterlogged, soft underfoot and in many cases contaminated, it has never been more important to understand why horses should avoid grazing on flood-damaged ground and why riders should prioritise arena exercise during the winter months.
1. Why Fields Need a Break Over Winter
When temperatures drop and daylight reduces, grass growth slows dramatically. Even without flooding, winter turnout places huge pressure on grazing. Add weeks of heavy rain and saturated ground and the impact multiplies.
🌱 Grass Damage & Slow Recovery
Flooded or waterlogged soil becomes starved of oxygen, damaging root systems and slowing grass recovery long after the water subsides. Soil particles compress under water, and silt deposited during flooding creates uneven, compacted layers that stunt spring regrowth.
Source: Recovery of Pastures After Floods – LSU AgCenter Extension
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2017/09/Recovery-of-Pastures-After-Floods.pdf
🐴 Hoof Health Risks
Horses standing in very wet ground for extended periods are more prone to:
soft soles
thrush
abscesses
hoof wall separation
increased laminitis risk in susceptible horses
Wet conditions soften the hoof and increase the chance of inflammation.
Source: Kentucky Equine Research – Wet Feet: Nutritional Management of Horses in Water-Logged Areas
https://ker.com/equinews/wet-feet-nutritional-management-of-horses-in-water-logged-areas/
🌧 Long-Term Damage to Fields
According to World Horse Welfare, continuous turnout on wet or flooded paddocks leads to permanent poaching, loss of grazing quality, and significantly higher repair and reseeding costs. Resting sodden ground is essential to avoid long-term degradation.
Source: World Horse Welfare – Flooding and preparing horse paddocks for wet winters
https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/flooding-and-preparing-horse-paddocks-for-wet-winters
2. Can Horses Graze Safely on Flood-Damaged Land?
The short answer is: not immediately.
Co. Down’s recent flooding left many fields covered in standing water for days. Even after drainage, the land isn’t automatically safe.
⚠ Hidden Ground Instability
Floodwater compromises the soil structure beneath the surface. Ground may appear dry on top but still be unstable underneath—creating hidden holes or soft spots that can cause soft tissue injuries.
⚠ Contaminants & Debris
Floodwater often carries:
slurry
bacteria
chemicals and fertiliser
mould spores
sediment
silt over forage
These can pose significant health risks when ingested.
Source: LSU AgCenter – Recovery of Pastures After Floods (as above)
⚠ Increased Laminitis Risk
Research shows that sudden changes in grazing conditions (including fresh post-flood growth) and weight fluctuations can trigger laminitis in at-risk horses.
Source: PubMed – Laminitis Risk Case-Control Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24070987/
⚠ When Is It Safe Again?
World Horse Welfare advises that paddocks be fully dried, inspected, and cleared of debris before horses return to grazing. Severely poached areas may need rest until spring, followed by aeration or reseeding.
3. Why Horses Still Need Exercise in Winter
Flooding often means more time stabled—and that increases the need for structured movement.
🏋️ Physical Benefits
Regular winter exercise prevents:
stiffness
loss of fitness
weight gain
muscle wastage
🧠 Mental Wellbeing
Less turnout + more stable time = a bored horse. Arena work keeps horses mentally stimulated, reducing stress behaviours such as weaving or box walking.
4. Why Riders Should Use Arenas During Winter Weather
With grazing areas saturated and unstable, using an arena becomes the safest and most responsible option.
✔ Safe, Controlled Footing
Arena surfaces are designed to stay stable even when the weather is at its worst, greatly reducing injury risk compared to slippery, rutted fields.
✔ Protecting Valuable Grazing
Avoiding riding on the fields prevents:
more churn
deeper mud
long-term grass loss
Rest given now means stronger grazing in spring.
✔ Consistency Through Bad Weather
An arena allows you to:
lunge
school
build strength and balance
maintain fitness through the winter
Even 20 minutes of arena work per day can make a huge difference.
Final Thoughts
With Co. Down’s recent storms and widespread flooding, many fields are unsafe and unsuitable for grazing. Giving land the time it needs to recover is not just good pasture management—it protects horse health and ensures long-term grazing quality.
Using arenas for winter riding helps:
✔ Keep horses physically and mentally healthy
✔ Protect flood-damaged fields from further destruction
✔ Reduce injury risk on unstable or contaminated ground
✔ Ensure strong grazing returns in the spring
A little extra care now pays big dividends once the weather improves.
References
World Horse Welfare – Flooding and Preparing Paddocks for Wet Winters
https://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/advice/flooding-and-preparing-horse-paddocks-for-wet-wintersLSU AgCenter / IFAS Extension – Recovery of Pastures After Floods
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2017/09/Recovery-of-Pastures-After-Floods.pdfKentucky Equine Research (KER) – Wet Feet: Management of Horses in Water-Logged Areas
https://ker.com/equinews/wet-feet-nutritional-management-of-horses-in-water-logged-areas/PubMed – Risk Factors for Equine Laminitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24070987/
