Winter Worries: Plan Ahead for Common Cold-Weather Problems

Take steps to help ensure your horse has everything he needs to stay healthy and happy when the weather changes.
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Horsekeeping during the winter brings its own unique challenges, and those challenges can wreak havoc on your horse’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract and increase his risk for digestive upset. However, with the right care and support, you can help ensure your horse has everything he needs to maintain a happy and healthy hindgut.

“While a direct correlation between weather and digestive upset can be challenging to prove,” said Lydia Gray, DVM, SmartPak’s staff veterinarian, “experts have definitely been able to show links between activity changes, hydration, and diet changes, so I recommend owners focus their efforts on those areas.”

Increased Stall Time

Winter weather sometimes leads to changes in your horse’s turnout and exercise routine. Research shows that increased number of hours spent in a stall has been associated with increased risk of colic. It also suggests that there is a higher risk of colic in horses that have a significant change in activity, like suddenly being stuck inside during a storm. One tip is to keep your horse’s turnout and exercise schedule as consistent as possible, and try to make any changes gradually. When winter weather and/or poor footing limits your horse’s turnout time, try hand-walking, longeing, or riding, if possible.

Inadequate Water Intake

Some horses drink less in the winter because of cold water, but proper hydration is essential to your horse’s well-being no matter season it is. Because a dehydrated horse might not have adequate water supplies to successfully pass feedstuffs through his digestive tract, he could be at risk for GI trouble, including impaction colic.

Make sure your horse has fresh water, ideally free from ice, available at all times. If your horse is a poor drinker, consider adding salt, a salt supplement, or a daily electrolyte to encourage normal drinking. In addition, a heated bucket or water bucket cover could be helpful if you know your horse isn’t a fan of cold water.

Hay and Grain Changes

Changes in hay, including switching types or feeding a new cut, can increase your horse chances of developing colic. In addition, studies indicate that changes in the amount or type of grain can increase his risk up to five times.

Keep your horse’s diet as consistent as possible. If you must make a change to your horse’s hay or grain (either in type or amount), make the change gradually over seven to 10 days. A digestive supplement that provides yeast, prebiotics, and enzymes could also help keep your horse’s hindgut happy as he makes feed transitions.

Protect Your Horse

Now that you know more about winter colic risk factors, take the necessary steps and protect your horse’s digestive system from upset as the cold weather arrives.

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