Winter rarely arrives all at once. It creeps into the yard through shorter days, persistent rain, churned-up gateways, and the first mornings when the water trough has developed a layer of ice.
For horse owners, this is the point at which good winter management is either already in place, or suddenly becomes a last minute emergency to ensure basic needs are met.
The challenge is not simply keeping a yard tidy. Ground conditions, drainage, water availability and turnout all play a vital role in equine welfare. The UK Government states that people responsible for horses have a duty to provide a suitable place to live, and enable them to behave normally and naturally (GOV.UK, 2026).
A horse-first winter strategy therefore needs to go beyond surviving the mud. It should create an environment where horses can continue to move, socialise, feed, drink and rest safely, while giving owners practical systems that remain manageable in all weather conditions.
At Jelka Group, we believe that good infrastructure should do exactly that; make it easier to manage horses well.
Winter Preparation Starts Before Winter
One of the biggest mistakes in winter yard management is waiting for the ground to become saturated before taking action.
Once high-traffic areas have turned into deep mud, installing any surface becomes more difficult. Waterlogged ground is harder to level, machinery access can become problematic and every horse passing through the area adds further poaching.
Research into equestrian facility mud management consistently recommends preventative action rather than attempting to repair heavily damaged ground once winter is underway. High-traffic areas are particularly vulnerable, and properly planned ground maintenance can significantly reduce damage (University of Minnesota Extension, 2026).
This is why September is such an important month for yard preparation.
Before the autumn rain becomes persistent, walk your yard with a critical eye. Where do horses typically choose to stand? Which gateways become churned up? Where do they wait for feed? Which routes do you use every day for turnout, poo picking and bringing horses in?
These are the areas where relatively small infrastructure improvements can have the greatest effect.
The Problem With High-Traffic Mud
Mud is more than an inconvenience. Repeated hoof traffic breaks down the soil structure, creates ruts and reduces drainage. The problem then becomes self-perpetuating; water sits on the surface, horses continue to congregate in the same areas, and every additional movement causes further damage.
For the horse, prolonged exposure to wet, muddy conditions can also have serious health implications. The British Horse Society notes that mud fever is significantly more common during winter because persistent wet conditions soften the skin, while mud rubbing against the softened skin can create opportunities for bacteria to enter (British Horse Society, 2026).
The BHS recommends reducing the time horses spend standing in wet, muddy conditions, improving grassland management, reducing poaching and creating firmer surfaces around areas such as gateways and water troughs (British Horse Society, 2026).
Horses moving repeatedly through deep or slippery mud must also continually adjust their stride, balance and hoof placement to negotiate an unstable surface. Research into equine movement demonstrates that changes in surface properties can alter gait patterns and loading of the limbs, while inconsistent footing can increase the physical demands placed on the musculoskeletal system (Chateau et al., 2010; Hobbs et al., 2014).
That makes high-traffic areas a logical place to concentrate winter investment. In many yards, the smartest approach is to identify the key pressure points and create reliable, all-weather areas.
Mud Mats: Creating Safer, More Stable Surfaces
Jelka's HIT Top Clean Mud Mats are designed specifically for this purpose.
Made from recycled plastic, the mats are designed specifically for equestrian facilities to provide a durable surface for gateways, feeding areas, turnout areas, tracks and other locations where repeated horse traffic would otherwise turn the ground into mud.
The mats provide added hoof grip while allowing water to drain away from the surface. Beneath the mat, the ridged structure grips the ground, helping to resist movement under repeated traffic. The semi-flexible construction also allows the mat to follow the natural contours of the land, rather than requiring the same level of rigidity as permanent hardstanding.
The aim is not to restrict natural behaviour, but to provide horses with an environment in which they can move safely and comfortably throughout the year.
Install Before the Ground Becomes a Winter Problem
If mud mats are a consideration for the coming winter, September is an ideal time to assess and prepare the installation area.
Jelka recommends levelling existing ruts and hollows, loosening and levelling the soil and ensuring that the underside of the mats is properly supported. A gentle 1-2% slope can assist surface drainage. The mats can then be laid with a small gap between them, allowing for drainage and expansion.
On ground that is particularly prone to waterlogging, or where regular heavy vehicle traffic is expected, a suitable sub-base should be considered for greater longevity.
Where Should You Put Mud Mats?
The most effective winter infrastructure is not necessarily the infrastructure covering the largest area. We recommend considering horse behaviour and traffic patterns for your individual set up.
Gateways
Gateways are often among the first areas to deteriorate because every turnout movement is concentrated through the same relatively small space.
A firm surface here can make a significant difference to the rest of the field. It also provides a safer place for horses to stand while gates are being opened and closed.
Feeding Areas
Hay and supplementary feeding can create concentrated traffic. Horses naturally gather around food, meaning a feeding point can become heavily poached long before the rest of the field.
Creating a defined, clean feeding area can help prevent the surrounding pasture becoming progressively damaged.
Water Points
Water troughs are another natural congregation point. In winter, this becomes particularly important because horses may be reluctant to cross deep mud to drink.
Not only will this protect the land, but it importantly keeps water accessible in all weather conditions.
Tracks and Walkways
For yards using track systems or extended turnout arrangements, mud can frequently become a barrier to movement.
A reliable walking surface allows horses to continue travelling around their environment even when surrounding ground conditions are poor.
Water: Maintaining Reliable Winter Access
Mud often dominates planning around winter preparation, but maintaining reliable water access is a crucial consideration.
As temperatures fall, horses may move from moisture-rich pasture towards a dry forage diet. The MSD Veterinary Manual notes that water requirements depend on factors including environmental conditions, activity and diet, and that horses consuming dry hay can require considerably more water than those consuming pasture (Liburt, 2026).
A 500kg horse in minimal work typically drinks around 21-29 litres per day on a mixed grain or pasture diet, although requirements vary considerably between individuals and circumstances.
The fundamental principle is simple; clean, accessible water must remain available.
Winter conditions can make this harder to manage. Ice can unexpectedly prevent access, while muddy approaches can make a water point less attractive or more difficult to reach.
This is where planning the location and infrastructure around the trough becomes as important as the trough itself.
ISOBAR 250: Electricity-Free Winter Watering
For paddocks and turnout areas where freezing is a concern, the Jelka ISOBAR 250 provides an insulated, electricity-free approach to winter watering.
The system uses double walls filled with insulating foam, with frost protection up to -15°C and a maximum capacity of 250 litres. For yards without mains electricity at the water point, this can remove one of the practical complications associated with conventional heated troughs.
The ISOBAR 250 is also designed with hygiene and maintenance in mind. Its internal surface has no corners or difficult recesses, while the large drain opening makes emptying and cleaning more straightforward.
For winter management, those details matter. A trough is not successful simply because it does not freeze. It also needs to remain clean, accessible and easy for the yard team to maintain.
Winter Should Not Abandon Turnout
One of the most important principles behind winter yard preparation is that infrastructure should support good management rather than simply making horses easier to keep indoors.
Horses are highly mobile, social animals. Restricting movement because a field has become unusably muddy can have consequences for both physical and behavioural wellbeing.
Instead of an all-or-nothing approach between full turnout and prolonged stabling, a yard can create usable areas that allow horses to continue spending meaningful time outdoors while protecting the most vulnerable ground.
Conclusion
By the time winter is fully established, the best time to prepare has already passed. September provides a valuable window to inspect the yard while the ground is still workable, identify high-traffic areas and put practical measures in place before persistent rainfall and frost take over.
We recommend that infrastructure should support the horse first, not simply make yard management more convenient. That means creating secure footing where horses need it, protecting vulnerable land, maintaining access to clean water and designing systems that work with natural equine behaviour.
A winter-ready yard is not simply one that survives the rain. It is designed to allow horses to move, drink, rest and live well, no matter the weather.
References
British Horse Society (2026) Mud fever. Available at: https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/horse-health/equine-diseases/mud-fever/
GOV.UK (2026) Keeping horses: Looking after horses. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/keeping-horses
Jelka Group (2026) HIT Top Clean - Mud Mats. Available at: https://jelka.co.uk/shop/hit-top-clean-mud-mats-20948
ISOBAR 250: Isothermal trough for horses. Available at: https://jelka.co.uk/shop/isobar-250-22651
Liburt, N.R. (2026) Nutritional requirements of horses and other equids. MSD Veterinary Manual. Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/animals-and-livestock/horse/managing-established-horse-pastures
University of Minnesota Extension (2026) Managing mud on horse farms. Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/agriculture/animals-and-livestock/horse/managing-mud-on-horse-farms
Utah State University Extension (2026) Caring for horses in cold weather. Available at: https://extension.usu.edu/equine/research/caring-for-horses-in-cold-weather