Autumn is one of the most demanding times of year for horse grooming. As daylight hours shorten, your horse's body clock triggers a coat change — and managing that transition well sets your horse up for a comfortable, healthy winter.
Managing the Coat Change
Expect heavier shedding through April and May. Daily grooming with a rubber curry comb or shedding blade will help remove loose hair, stimulate circulation, and keep the skin healthy underneath. Don't skip grooming days during this period — dead coat left in place can trap moisture and lead to skin issues.
To support a strong, healthy winter coat from the inside out, consider adding HYGAIN GLEAM 1.2KG to your horse's feed. It contains biotin, methionine, and zinc — key nutrients for coat quality and shine. Start now so the new winter coat comes in strong.
Rugging Decisions
One of the most common mistakes is over-rugging too early. A horse that is too warm will sweat under their rug, leading to skin irritation and chills when the rug is removed. Use a lightweight combo rug initially and only add weight as temperatures consistently drop below 10–12°C overnight.
Skin Care Under the Rug
Check under rugs regularly for rubs, rain scald, and mud fever — all more common in wet autumn conditions. KELATO QUIKHEAL GREASY HEEL OINTMENT (available in 200g and 450g) is ideal for treating greasy heel, rain scald, and other skin disorders in the lower limb. For any leg puffiness from wet ground or hard work, KELATO SWELLDOWN 2.25KG clay poultice draws heat and reduces swelling effectively.
Mane and Tail Care
Autumn is a great time to condition and detangle manes and tails before winter. Use a quality detangler and consider plaiting or bagging tails to protect them from mud and wet weather.
Hoof Care
With wetter ground comes more mud, and more opportunity for thrush to develop. Pick hooves out daily and consider these products as part of your preventative hoof care routine:
- KELATO HOOFPRIME 900ML — a hoof wall strengthener and protector, ideal heading into the wet season.
- KELATO BIOTINMAX CONCENTRATE 800G — ultra-concentrated biotin for hoof health and integrity.
- Stance Biotin Extra Strength 1KG — a daily supplement option to support hoof and skin health from within.
A consistent autumn grooming routine doesn't just keep your horse looking great — it's one of the best ways to monitor their overall health as the season changes.