Cold weather has a way of showing up fast. One morning horses feel loose. The next morning the air is sharp, the ground is hard, and the first few steps out feel shorter than usual.
For performance and working horses, those shifts are huge. Cold snaps do not stop hauling schedules, ranch work, training calendars, or competition plans. They just change how the horse’s body responds to them.
“Cold weather does not create joint problems,” says Dr. Rob Franklin, DACVIM and co-founder of 6666 Equine Supplements. “But it can make existing stiffness more noticeable by reducing tissue elasticity, especially in horses with miles on them."
Why Cold Weather Makes Joints Feel Tighter
Joint tissue, tendons, and muscle rely on warmth and circulation to move freely. When temperatures drop quickly, elasticity decreases and joints take longer to lubricate.
Synovial fluid inside the joint thickens in colder conditions. That fluid is what allows smooth movement. Until the horse warms up, joints simply do not move as easily.
“We all feel stiffer trying to move in the cold,” Dr. Franklin explains. “Horses are no different, especially performance and working horses that are asked to work consistently.”
This is why cold weather exposes joint stress more than it causes it.
Hauling Adds Another Layer
Hauling doesn't stop just because it's winter time. Cold mornings, long trailer rides, and moving between climates all place additional demands on joints.
“Hauling stacks stress on top of temperature change,” says Dr. Franklin. “The horse is confined, standing for long periods, and often moving from cold to warmer conditions or vice versa.”
Stiffness after hauling is common in winter, especially when horses are unloaded and expected to go straight to work. That is when management matters most.
Warm-Ups Matter More in Cold Weather
Cold weather is not the time to rush a warm-up.
“In winter, that first ten to fifteen minutes is critical,” Dr. Franklin says. “Walking allows circulation to increase, joints to lubricate, and muscles to loosen before you ask for intensity.”
Performance and working horses may need longer warm-ups after cold fronts or long hauls. Expect the first ride after a temperature swing to feel tighter. That is normal.
What matters is giving the body time to catch up.
Remember the Ever Important Gut–Joint Connection
Joint health does not exist in isolation. The gut plays a role in how the body manages inflammation, recovery, and tissue health.
“About 70 percent of the immune system is tied to the gut,” Dr. Franklin explains. “When the gut microbiome is balanced, inflammatory signaling throughout the body stays more regulated. That includes the joints.”
Cold weather, hauling, and routine changes can all disrupt the gut. Reduced water intake, altered feeding schedules, and stress place additional strain on the microbiome.
This is where consistent gut support becomes part of joint management.
“When you support the gut, you are supporting the systems that joints rely on,” says Dr. Franklin. “That connection becomes more important during stressful periods like winter travel and cold snaps.”
Know Your Horse and Watch the Small Changes
Horses tell you when something feels different. Shorter stride. Less reach. A longer warm-up needed before they feel loose.
Cold weather does not mean horses stop working.
“You do not want to wait until a horse feels tight to start supporting joints,” Dr. Franklin says. “Consistency is what carries them through the season.”
Know your horse. Pay attention to their habits. Keep routines steady. Allow extra warm-up time after hauling and cold fronts.
Pair that with veterinarian-formulated supplements backed by science, and you support the systems your horse relies on every day.
~Supporting Your Horse Year-Round~
Joint Health Pellets -Supports normal joint lubrication, connective tissue health, and mobility during periods of increased demand. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and postbiotics to support joint comfort and tissue function.
Complete Gut Protection - Supports a healthy gut microbiome with prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. A balanced gut plays a role in normal immune signaling and inflammatory regulation, which supports joint health during stress, travel, and routine changes common in winter.
Electrolyte Powder & Paste - Support hydration, which is essential for normal digestion, circulation, and joint lubrication.
Multi-Vitamin and Mineral - Provides bioavailable trace minerals, including zinc, copper, and selenium, that are required for normal immune function, tissue maintenance, and recovery during consistent work.
