


"There are several reasons why horses tend to colic more as the winter months linger," explains Mays. "Lack of quality grazing, too cold water, and reduced exercise time can contribute to equine colic."

Spring's lush green pastures provide grass containing moisture that is absorbed in the gut and adds wet fiber to more readily move food along your horse's digestive tract. When there is no green grass to graze, the possibility for impaction increases, explains Mays. Keep quality hay in front of your horse to provide roughage. The horse's digestive tract is designed for high-volume food such as grass and hay, and these should be fed before grain.


"Roughage quality and availability may negatively affect a horse's intake and digestion," Mays continues. "Coarse, dry grazing or baled roughage can result in soft tissue abrasions inside the horse's mouth during the chewing process. This seemingly minor trauma can result in a horse's compromised ability to grind feedstuff due to soreness in the mouth."


Insufficient water intake can result in dehydration and decreased blood volume (resulting in fewer nutrients to cells and decreased efficiency of waste removal). When water intake is decreased, the chances increase that your horse's intestines could become impacted and colic can then occur, explains Mays.

"Frozen water sources obviously compromise water availability," says Mays.. "Even best intentions like utilizing water warmers, insulating pipes, and warming coils can fail, so check your horse's water source to be sure that all is functioning. Also, inspect plumbing for leaks when temperatures rise above freezing.


During the winter months you can minimize colic episodes if you monitor your horse's water intake, feed quality hay that is free of impurities such as mold, and exercise your horse or provide pasture for roaming, says Mays.


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