Every season brings new challenges (and joys!) for horse owners. The transition from summer to fall is the perfect time for a barn and tack trunk makeover to ensure you have everything you need to keep your horse healthy and happy. The major areas to consider when refreshing your equestrian set up are stall safety, comfort, nutrition, climate control and health management, said Dr. Courtnee Morton, Chewy Equine Veterinarian. 

Stall Safety
While the structure of your stall should stay the same each season, be sure to check the quality of the flooring and make sure it’s durable and non-slip. If you have rubber mats, you want to minimize sand intake to keep them clean — especially if your horse eats off the ground — and to make sure they provide good, stable footing.

“Check windows and vents, (especially if you house any hay in your barn) to make sure that you are promoting good respiratory health,” Dr. Morton said. “The fall is a great time of year to check if there is any insulation that needs to be repaired or replaced before winter sets in,” she continued.

Comfort
It is also a great time to pull out your winter blankets and buy replacements if necessary. The weather can change quickly, and you don’t want to be scrambling for blankets when the temperature drops. For this intermediary season, a cooler is a useful addition to your tack trunk to prevent your horse getting chills after exercising. Flies are not just a summer problem — they can be prevalent throughout the fall and into winter in some climates, so be sure to restock your fly spray and fly masks in late summer/early fall.

During cold weather, the Horseware Ireland Mio Medium Turnout Blanket offers reliable protection against the elements. On warmer days, a breathable fly sheet like the LeMieux Arika Armour-Tek Rug helps shield your horse from UV rays and biting insects. If your horse is stabled more in the fall and winter than other times of the year, consider discussing joint support with your veterinarian. Standing in a stall for longer periods can lead to stiffness and joint discomfort, so having a good-quality stall mat is an important start to keep them off the hard ground. A daily supplement such as Cosequin ASU may be beneficial, or your veterinarian may suggest an injectable medication series like Adequan which can help with pain due to arthritis.

Nutrition 
For horses who live in a sandy environment and may intake sand along with their food, they can be fed psyllium husks to promote hydration and facilitate the removal of sand from the digestive tract.

“Some horses have lower vitamin E levels in the fall, especially if you're changing the pasture or the grazing routine for your horse,” said Dr. Morton, who recommends administering a Vitamin E and omega supplement if your horse won’t be taking these in by grazing on fresh pasture through the fall.

Many owners think that their horse only needs electrolytes in the summer, but in fact they can be beneficial year-round. “A lot of horses don't drink much when it starts to cool off,” Dr. Morton said. Dehydration can lead to colic and other illness. "I really push for giving electrolytes this time of year because people just don't think about it.” 

If you update your feed containers, make sure they are airtight, such as vault containers, to keep out bugs, prevent mold, and prolong the life of your feed before the cold months set in. Buckeye Nutrition Cadence Ultra Horse Feed offers a high-fat, controlled-starch formula perfect for performance horses. To support digestive health in sandy environments, adding a supplement like SmartPak Smart & Simple Psyllium Pellets can help reduce the risk of sand colic. Chewy has a large selection of airtight feed containers.

Health Management
To maintain good overall health management, schedule a fall veterinary visit to check your horse’s teeth and stock up on dewormers and vaccine boosters. “A lot of people travel to horse shows in the fall that require flu and Equine Rhinopneumonitis (“Rhino”) boosters,” Dr. Morton stated. Fall is an important time to deworm your horse (as is spring), and Quest Plus is a popular brand for this time of year, as it targets all key parasites including strongyles, roundworms, pinworms, hairworms, and stomach worms. The fall often brings wet weather, which can cause havoc on horses’ feet. Schedule regular farrier appointments, use hoof oil or sealants to protect the hoof wall, and stock up on topical medications and poultices to treat thrush or abscesses. Daily hoof checks can catch foot issues before they become serious. Depending on where your horses are spending the winter, talk to your veterinarian about Equimax (ivermectin + praziquantel) or Quest Plus (moxidectin + praziquantel).

Farrier’s Fix Hoof Oil helps to balance moisture, reduces soreness, and supports hoof integrity, especially for horses who are going from wet to dry conditions. If you're restocking any medication, look to Chewy Pharmacy for quality products, speedy deliveries and even auto ship options to make sure you never miss a dose.

Chewy Equine offers a wide collection of equine products, plus a customer care team that is specifically dedicated to answering horse-related inquiries. If you have your horse on your Chewy pet profile or have purchased horse products from Chewy previously, your call will be directed to these specialists automatically. If not, fill out your profile on Chewy.com with your horses’ information and peruse a few options to make sure your barn is ready for the fall.