12/30/2025
Colic: What You Need to Know During Cold Snaps
With our recent Cold snap, the temperatures dropped suddenly, and colic cases often rise. Cold snaps can change how horses drink, eat, and move - three key factors that keep the gut healthy.
Being proactive during winter weather can dramatically reduce your horse’s risk.
❄️ Why Colic Risk Increases in Cold Weather
Cold weather can cause:
• Decreased water intake - Horses drink less when water is icy or cold.
• Reduced gut motility - Less movement + less hydration = slow-moving feed.
• Changes in routine - More stable time or abrupt diet changes stress the digestive system.
• Impaction risk - The combination of dry feeds, low water intake, and reduced motility is the perfect storm for impaction colic.
💧 Hydration Tips to Keep Horses Drinking
Keeping the gut hydrated is your strongest line of defence.
✔ Warm the water:
Horses prefer slightly warm water and often drink significantly more when water is warm.
✔ Offer soaked feeds:
• Soaked hay cubes
• Beet pulp mash
• Warm bran mash (occasional treat, not a staple)
These increase moisture intake without changing the diet drastically.
✔ Encourage drinking with salt:
• Free-choice salt lick available at all times. Salt stimulates thirst and maintains electrolyte balance.
✔ Check water sources frequently:
• Break ice at least twice daily
• Make sure automatic waterers are working properly
• Keep buckets clean - algae and debris can discourage drinking
🌾 Feed Adjustments for Winter Gut Health
Increase forage, decrease concentrate: More hay = more heat production and better gut motility.
Avoid sudden diet changes: Introduce new hay or concentrate over 7–10 days.
Use slow feeders: This extends eating time and maintains steady gut movement.
🚨 WHEN TO CALL THE VET - Colic Checklist
If you notice any of the following, call your vet immediately:
Behaviour Signs
• Pawing, circling, rolling repeatedly
• Looking at or biting the flank
• Restlessness or inability to get comfortable
• Stretching out as if to urinate
• Sudden aggression or depression
Gut Signs
• No manure for 6 – 12 hours
• Smaller, drier, or harder manure
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced water intake
• Visible abdominal distention
Vital Signs
• Elevated heart rate (over 44 bpm)
• Elevated respiration
• Temperature changes
• Gums that are pale, dry, or tacky
Other Red Flags
• Horse is lying down more than usual
• Refusing to walk
• No gut sounds
• Any behaviour that “just isn’t normal” for your horse
When in doubt - call. Even if just to discuss concerns on the phone. Early intervention is far safer, easier, and less expensive than waiting!
