Cold, wet weather and shorter daylight can leave joints feeling stiffer and soft tissue tighter. Older horses tend to show it first. Performance horses notice it when the going is heavy or frozen and the work is sharper. Through winter, our aim is simple: keep them moving comfortably and keep joints well nourished.
Winter challenges
Lower temperatures reduce tissue elasticity and slows synovial fluid flow. Less turnout and inconsistent footing add strain, especially in hocks, stifles and fetlocks. If your horse starts a session a little pottery or needs longer to loosen, that is your early prompt to tighten up management and review joint support.
Management checklist
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Warm up with purpose. Start with 10 to 15 minutes of active walk. Add gentle lateral work to mobilise hips and shoulders before building trot and short, balanced canters.
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Turnout often. Movement beats box rest for joint comfort.
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Mind the footing. Avoid deep or rutted going. Shorten sessions on heavy days and focus on straightness, rhythm and transitions.
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Rug and routine. Well-fitted rugs reduce cold-backed starts. A regular work pattern prevents the start–stop stress that irritates joints.
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Stretching and cool down. Good grip and balance reduce torque through the limbs. Simple post-ride stretches help range of motion.
Evidence-based nutrients for joint comfort
When you scan a winter horse joint supplement, look for a few well-supported actives working together.
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Glucosamine and chondroitin to feed cartilage matrix.
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Hyaluronic acid to support healthy synovial fluid.
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MSM and collagen peptides for soft tissue resilience.
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Omega-3s and selected botanicals to keep inflammatory cascades in check.
If you need a higher-spec option for an older partner or a horse in consistent work, Performance Elite brings these core actives together in a clean, palatable blend. Many yards keep it in through winter so joints feel easier from the first trot set, not the last.
Selecting the right spec for workload and age
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Older horses. Prioritise comfort support alongside cartilage nutrients, and keep daily movement steady to maintain synovial flow.
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Performance horses. Choose a robust spec with meaningful levels of the essentials, backed by quality manufacturing and clear labelling.
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Year-round habits. Supplements work best alongside smart footing choices, consistent warm ups and turnout.
If you are tweaking your programme now, a practical next step is to pair your winter management checklist with a high-spec joint formula such as Performance Elite, so the work you put into warm ups and footing has the nutritional back up it deserves.