Hand Walking Horses in Winter

In winter, simple movement often matters more than ridden work.

Frozen footing, limited daylight, and packed schedules can reduce saddle time. When riding drops off, horses don’t just lose fitness—they lose daily circulation.

That’s where hand walking earns its place.

Why Hand Walking Works in Cold Weather

Winter stiffness isn’t caused by lack of work alone. It’s caused by lack of motion.

• Cold temperatures tighten muscles faster
• Standing still reduces joint lubrication
• Circulation slows without consistent movement

Hand walking restores motion without stress.

Small Walks, Big Payoff

Hand walking doesn’t need to be long to be effective.

Five to fifteen minutes of forward, relaxed walking stimulates circulation, encourages joint comfort, and helps prevent stiffness from stacking up.

This fits directly into Prehabilitation: supporting the body before tightness becomes soreness.

Support Recovery on Non‑Riding Days

Hand walking days are ideal for recovery care.

A sensation‑free liniment gel helps promote circulation and soft tissue comfort without heat or cooling—important when winter tissues are already sensitive.

Draw It Out® Liniment Gel is designed for daily use, making it easy to support muscles and joints even when riding isn’t on the schedule.

Where to Focus After Hand Walking

• Lower legs after standing or turnout
• Hocks and stifles during grooming
• Back and hips on colder days

Apply with calm, steady pressure and allow the gel to absorb as part of routine care.

Build Hand Walking Into the Week

Hand walking works best when it’s predictable.

• Use it on non‑riding days
• Add it before riding on very cold mornings
• Pair it with grooming and topical support

If you’re unsure how to structure winter routines, the Draw It Out® Solution Finder helps match care strategies to your horse’s age and workload.

Consistency Keeps Horses Comfortable

Winter doesn’t require complicated solutions.

Simple habits—like regular hand walking—protect soundness when conditions limit riding.

Explore the full Horse Liniment Collection to support movement and recovery on every kind of winter day.

Modern performance. Proven calm.