What to Do When Your Horse is Shivering

What to Do When Your Horse Is Shivering

Seeing your horse shiver can be worrying — especially during cold, wet, or windy weather.

Shivering is one of the horse’s natural ways of generating heat, but prolonged exposure to cold rain, wind chill, or damp conditions can quickly leave horses uncomfortable and struggling to maintain body temperature.

Older horses, clipped horses, underweight horses, and horses exposed to wet weather are often more vulnerable during Australian winter conditions. Cold rain and wind chill can affect horses much faster than dry cold alone, especially in exposed paddocks or coastal regions.

Knowing how to respond quickly can help keep your horse warm, dry, and comfortable while reducing the risk of cold stress.

1. Get Them Out of the Elements

If your horse is exposed to wind, rain, or snow, move them to a dry, sheltered area immediately. A stable, run-in shed, or even a wind-protected yard can make a world of difference.

2. Remove Wet Rugs Immediately

Wet rugs can trap moisture against the horse's skin and worsen the cold. Gently remove any soaked rug and replace it with a dry, breathable waterproof winter rug designed to protect against wind and rain while still allowing moisture to escape.

Tip: Always have a spare dry rug on hand during winter—especially in regions with heavy rain.

3. Layer Rugs for Warmth

Use a heavier fill winter rug (300g or more), or consider layering a dry stable rug underneath a waterproof outer rug. This layered approach traps warm air and allows you to adapt to changing weather. See our Filling Rug Guide

4. Feed for Internal Warmth

Offer hay immediately. Chewing and digesting hay helps generate heat from the inside out. A bucket of lukewarm water will also encourage them to stay hydrated.

5. Monitor Your Horse Closely

Watch them over the next hour. If they stop shivering, begin to move around normally, and look content, you've likely resolved the issue. If they continue to shiver or show other signs of distress (lethargy, stiffness, unusual behaviour), consult your vet promptly.

If your horse is struggling in colder weather, reviewing your rug choice can help. Our guide to best winter horse rugs for Australian conditions explains the different winter rug options.

If your horse becomes soaked during bad weather, it’s important to understand when it’s safe to rug them and how to avoid trapping moisture against the skin.

 How to Prevent Horses From Shivering

• Use a waterproof, breathable,and well-insulated rug
• Rug appropriately for your climate (especially in cold, wet, or windy regions)
• Always have shelter available in paddocks or open yards
• Feed plenty of forage to support body temperature regulation
• Check rugs daily for leaks, dampness, or shifting

Choosing the Right Winter Rug

At  Love My Horse, our winter rugs are designed to withstand the worst Aussie weather while keeping your horse warm, dry, and comfortable. With features like:

• No neck join = no leaks
• 100 - 300g fill insulation - See rug fill guide
• Durable 1200 Denier ripstop outer
• Longer drop and deep shoulder darts for better fit on bigger horses
• Be seen be safe reflectors help make changing rugs at night easier and safer

Explore breathable waterproof winter horse rugs designed for Australian winter weather →

Stay warm, stay dry, and keep your horse happy this winter!