How to Rough Off Your Hunter for Summer: Step-by-Step Guide

April’s unpredictable weather means roughing off your hunter horse for summer requires patience and care. This guide will help you safely transition your horse over 2 to 3 weeks, ensuring they stay healthy and comfortable as they move to summer pasture life.

1. Choosing the Best Day to Turn Your Hunter Out

The ideal day for turnout is warm, clear, and frost-free. April can bring fluctuating temperatures, so aim for stable weather or consider waiting until May when conditions are typically more reliable. Remember, excessive heat and flies can stress your horse, especially if the pasture quality isn’t yet ideal. A field with high hedges or a shelter adds valuable protection.

Begin turnout with just one or two hours outside each day, gradually extending this until your horse enjoys full summer turnout. If your horse has been stabled all winter, try starting in a smaller paddock to prevent high-energy galloping that might cause injury or pasture damage.

2. Understanding Your Horse's Individual Needs

Each horse is unique. For example, an English Thoroughbred has different requirements than a hardier native breed. Evaluate your horse’s current coat condition and clipping type—whether they have a full hunter clip, half-clip, or were left unclipped. This assessment guides how quickly you can remove rugs and reduce stabling.

3. Adjusting Your Horse's Feed Safely

As turnout time increases and work decreases, gradually reduce hard concentrates to avoid digestive upset. Swap towards more hay and pasture grazing, which better suit a summer lifestyle. Increasing forage helps minimise colic risk and supports a healthy digestive system during the change in diet.

4. Grooming Considerations During Transition

Avoid over-grooming to preserve natural oils in your horse’s coat and skin, which protect against weather and insects. However, regularly check under rugs to ensure no mud or debris has built up, as this can irritate the skin.

5. Modifying Your Horse's Workload

Reduce exercise gradually; by the time you turn your horse out for summer, they should only be walked for roughly thirty minutes a day. Resist the temptation to bring them back inside once turned out unless the weather severely requires it for their health and safety.

6. Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Roughing Off

• Don’t leave your horse's tail too long; mud and vegetation can cause matting or injury.
• Have your farrier professionally remove hind shoes early to reduce injury risk; remember to schedule regular trims.
• Avoid sudden access to lush grass to prevent scouring and digestive upset.
• Remove rugs gradually after the hunting season based on coat and weather conditions.
• Inspect your horse daily for injuries, lumps, or signs of discomfort.

7. Top Tips for Preparing Your Hunter for Summer Turnout

• Trim the tail to about four inches below the hocks to encourage healthy regrowth before returning to work.
• Initially remove hind shoes to reduce the risk of kicking injuries when turned out with others; your farrier will later remove all shoes and trim feet as needed.
• Check your horse’s front feet for corns and seek veterinary advice if found.
• Administer worming treatment before turnout onto clean pasture to minimise parasite risk.
• Ensure vaccinations, including flu and tetanus, are up to date before turning out.
• Have your horse’s teeth checked to optimise grass digestion and overall health.
• Inspect both your horse and pasture daily for hazardous plants like ragwort or any other dangers.