This article highlights three key issues currently affecting horse owners. Firstly, a mast year for acorns is causing extra work as owners must prevent horses from ingesting the toxic acorns, which can seriously harm their health. This involves additional fencing and clearing of acorns from fields. Secondly, the ongoing debate about over-rugging horses is revisited, with vets cautioning against unnecessary rugging during milder UK winters, emphasizing that horses should naturally lose weight over winter to avoid spring weight problems. Lastly, a recent High Court ruling has warned horse buyers and sellers about unintentionally forming legally binding contracts through informal messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, or texts, stressing the need for caution when negotiating sales via these platforms.

The article also provides links for further reading on acorn toxicity, vet opinions on rugging, and legal advice on contracts formed through messaging. It underscores the importance of awareness and careful management in horse care and transactions, especially given the seasonal challenges and evolving legal landscape.