We asked charities, riders and our brilliant users for their winter tips. Read below for ten tips to help ensure you and your horse a very Merry Christmas.

Gemma Tattersall says: "Keep your horses warm - when they are worked and clipped they have no natural oils built up in their coats, so keep your four-legged friends very well rugged. It helps their coats stay shiny and helps keep the weight on them. If your horse has to be rugged, always have a spare one available so you can swap if it gets very wet. It's important to remove and re-adjust rugs every day so you can check your horse thoroughly. Be careful not to over rug your horse. He could overheat and too many rugs will prevent air circulation.

Alice Oppenhiemer says: "Over the winter, when it is colder, we add sugarbeet to the feeds to help keep condition on the horses when they are using more energy for warmth."

Jenny Rudall says: "In the winter our horses tend to spend more time in than out, so bear this in mind when warming up for exercise. Your warm-up might need to be longer, with more time in walk to get stiff or cold muscles moving and prevent injuries and tying-up of muscles. On those really cold days, an exercise sheet on the quarters can help – even if only worn at the start and the end of your session."

The RSPCA says: "Deck the halls with boughs of holly - but don't forget that many plants are poisonous, including yew, ivy berries and poinsettia. And don't forget your dogs - prickly Christmas trees can be dangerous too if dogs are attracted to their needles."

World Horse Welfare says: "Check the horse regularly for any changes in bodyweight by using a weighbridge or tape. You may be riding less, or increasing the amount of time that your horse is stabled, which means that it is burning fewer calories.

"Also, remember that when the snow melts, the ground will be soft and easy to churn up. To avoid injury and mud fever, take steps to stop the ground being disturbed. Moving your horse to different fields to graze will help. Or you could change the point at which you enter the field so that you don't disturb the same area repeatedly. Move water troughs regularly if possible and cover particularly muddy areas with straw or sand, and salt your pathways the night before a big freeze."

Your advice 

Daniella Jennings says: "Ensure a ball is placed in horse's water buckets so that the water doesn't freeze; and switch automatic drinkers off so they don't flood the stable when they defrost!"

Sue Foster says: "Wear fleece boot socks inside wellies to keep feet warm, and wear carrier bags over the socks."

Chris Tyson says: "Make sure you treat your horse as you normally would any other time of the year. They can't feed themselves on Christmas day so stick to a routine. Stocking up on food beforehand will make sure you have enough through the holidays before the suppliers close and leave you stranded!"

Emily Dixon says: "Place and fill up a huge water tank up under your tap every night, so then you can just break ice and dip in your buckets for morning waters. You can then also turn your tap on first thing and when it defrosts you won't waste or spill water all over the yard making it in to an ice rink."

Charlotte Walters says: "Put udder cream on heels if horses are turned out in deep mud. Rub vaseline inside hooves when it snows to stop balling up but, remember to remove it all afterwards as it can be a breeding ground for bacteria in warmer weather. Fill up plenty of spare water tubs in prep for snow in case taps freeze up. Scatter apples and carrots around the field to keep your horse moving to keep him warm, and to prevent boredom."

These tips are general guidelines only - each horse has different requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact the World Horse Welfare Advice Line on 01953 497238.