Horses have a history of helping mankind in all types of weather, proving that they can withstand more than most seasons dish out. However, it’s important to take precautionary measures to ensure the health and happiness of your horse. Fall is an important season to take action, as certain weather conditions and pesky visitors at this time of year can possibly cause harm to your horse’s health.

Leslie Easterwood, DVM, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says the first thing to remember after the first freeze is to vaccinate your horse. Vaccinations for the following viruses and diseases are important to maintain your horse’s good:

• Venezuelan, Eastern and Western Encephalitis;
• Tetanus;
• West Nile virus;
• Equine influenza;
• Rhinopnuemonitis; and
• Rabies, which should only be given once a year.

Deworming should also take place year-round. It is good to have a deworming schedule similar with your vaccination schedule to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken care of, Easterwood suggested.

Another important factor to keep in mind as the colder weather approaches is supplying appealing drinking water. The colder weather makes the cold drinking water less attractive to horses. Less water intake can lead to dehydration and colic. To avoid these side effects, owners can add electrolyte powder to the horse’s daily grain ration