October is an important month for preparing your horse for the winter ahead. We have created an Aloga Horse Care checklist to help you prepare with advice on clipping, nutrition, and the right rugging options for your horse for right now.
Clipping
By now, many horses have already started to grow their thicker winter coats. If your horse is in regular work, clipping can help to manage sweat, post exercise cool down and time management.
- When to clip: If your horse is sweating excessively during exercise, it’s a good time to consider clipping.
- Types of clips: Choose a style of clip based on your horse’s workload. Trace or blanket clips can work well for horses in lighter work, while a full clip can be more suitable for horses in hard, more full time work and competition.
- Clip like a Pro: Kate Duffy, groom at Aloga Stables shares her pro tips on how get the best from your clip here.
- Aftercare: As clipping removes the natural insulation of a winter coat ensure your have appropriate blankets ready and waiting to replace the natural warmth they will be losing after being clipped. Light weight blankets that have liner loops can be combined with the Aloga liners to help increase the weight and provide additional warmth post clipping.
Nutrition
Autumn grass can still be rich, but as the season progresses, its nutritional value drops. This is a good time to reassess your horse’s diet. From a Connolly’s RED MILLS and Foran Equine perspective, good nutrition will support healthy skin and coat from the inside out.
- For condition and energy: Red Mills Horse Care 10 Cubes and Horse Care 14 Cubes are excellent options. Both are non-heating feeds that provide slow-release energy and are ideal for maintaining condition without causing excitability for winter work.
- For competition horses: Red Mills Competition 10 Mix is designed for horses in harder work, supporting energy demands while still being gentle on the stomach.
- For older horses or poor-doers: Red Mills Care Mash is a great warm feed option, helping to maintain weight and condition as the weather turns colder.
Top Product Picks for Skin & Coat Health:
- Foran Equine Kentucky Karron Oil: A rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that promotes a glossy coat, healthy skin, and supports digestive function.
- RED MILLS Define & Shine: A premium balancer with added oils and antioxidants to enhance coat condition and topline.
For detailed advice on your horse's individual needs visit RED MILLS Nutritional Hub for expert insights here.
Rugging & Blankets
With temperatures fluctuating in October, choosing the right rug is essential, especially for clipped horses.
- For clipped horses in turnout: The Aloga Pro Turnout 200g offers durability, waterproofing, and insulation, keeping clipped horses warm without overheating.
- For milder days: The Aloga Turnout 2.0 is a great lightweight option, offering waterproof protection without excess warmth.
- For colder nights: The Aloga Stable Blanket range keeps your horse comfortable indoors during chilly nights without causing sweating. Choose from 100g, 200g or 400g weight to suit your horse’s individual needs.
General Health Checklist
- Worming: October is a good time for a faecal egg count test and to discuss your worming strategy with your vet.
- Hoof care: Wet autumn conditions can increase the risk of thrush. Keep hooves clean and dry with products such as Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Barrier by Carr & Day & Martin. It’s advanced formulation creates a ‘one way barrier’ to protect from excessive absorption of water and urine.
- Dental check: Ensure teeth are in good condition for winter feeding. With competition & events quieten down October can be an ideal time to schedule a check up with your Equine Dentist.
Final Planning
October is about balancing preparation for colder months with the changing needs of your horse. Clipping, feeding wisely with trusted products like the Connolly’s RED MILLS and Foran Equine supplements, and rugging appropriately with the Aloga Pro series will keep your horse happy and healthy all season long.