Bristol Veterinary Service

01/14/2026

Part 1 of 2: Interpreting an Equine Hay Analysis

A hay analysis can help you determine if your horse is on a well-balanced diet and can also be useful when managing horses diagnosed with nutrition-related disorders. When reading a hay analysis, values will be reported "As Sampled" and "Dry Matter". Dry matter values allow for direct comparisons between nutrients and simplifies balancing rations.

🌱 Moisture should ideally be between 10 to 15%. Hay with less than 10% moisture may be too dry and brittle. Whereas hays over 16% moisture (without a preservative) are at risk of molding. Hay greater than 25% moisture is at risk of severe heat damage and potential fire hazard.

🌱 Equine Digestible Energy (DE) measures the digestible energy in the hay and can help you balance the energy part of your horse's diet. Hay tends to range between 0.76 to 1.1 Mcal of DE per pound. A horse in light work needs about 20 Mcals of DE each day. Make sure to request equine DE when having horse hay analyzed.

🌱 Crude Protein (CP) measures the protein content in hay. Most idle, adult horses need about 10 to 12% CP. Crude protein content varies with hay type and ranges from,
◾️8 to 14% in grass hays
◾️14 to 17% in legume-grass mix hays
◾️15 to over 20% in legume hays

01/07/2026

01/06/2026

Water is a vital resource for horses year-round, but its importance becomes even greater during the winter months. Maintaining proper hydration is essential for horses to support digestion, overall health, and especially for preventing colic, a potentially life-threatening condition.

In winter, horses may drink less water due to cold temperatures, or water sources might freeze, limiting access. Reduced water intake increases the risk of impaction colic, a condition that occurs when food material becomes lodged in the horse’s digestive tract. This is exacerbated by the dry, fibrous nature of winter forage like hay, which contains less moisture compared to fresh pasture grass. Without sufficient water, the digestive system slows and cannot properly break down this material, potentially leading to blockages.

Encouraging adequate water consumption is critical. Horses should normally drink 5-12 gallons of water daily, and ensuring the water is warm enough—between 45-65°F—can help encourage drinking. Studies show that horses are more likely to consume warm water during cold weather. Using heated water buckets or tank deicers can prevent freezing and make water more appealing.

Fun Fact: Research shows that horses drink almost 40% more water per day if given warm water (45-65 °F) instead of near-freezing water. (Kristula and McDonnell, 1994)

Electrolytes or salt supplements can also stimulate thirst, prompting horses to drink more. Offering soaked hay or adding water to feed can provide additional hydration. However, soaking hay or feed isn’t recommended in environments where these items would freeze solid before being consumed by the horse.

Preventing dehydration in winter is a proactive measure to safeguard against colic. Regularly monitoring water intake and ensuring clean, accessible, and palatable water is essential. By addressing these needs, horse owners can help maintain their horses’ health and comfort throughout the colder months.

If you have questions or concerns about your horses' winter water intake, contact your veterinarian.

12/23/2025

🎄Happy holidays from Dr. Borri and the Bristol Veterinary Service family.

12/18/2025

As we are ice skating around here are some helpful tips.

🌧️ Rain now and colder temps ahead may cause icy spots on some Minnesota farms ❄️. If it does, applying traction materials can help improve footing and reduce the risk of you or your horse slipping 🐴🥾

Learn more at z.umn.edu/icypaddocks

12/17/2025

12/09/2025

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

12/03/2025

THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON US! ❄️

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

12/01/2025

If you weren't able to join the live EHV-1 Updates webinar last night, be sure to take advantage of our on-demand recording. Please remember that the situation is evolving rapidly and the best place to get up-to-date information is the Equine Disease Communication Center's website, or ask your local veterinarian!

You can find the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XzuuYmIEQY

Thank you to our speakers for joining us and providing all of this invaluable information.

11/25/2025

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOUR HORSE IS ACCIDENT-PRONE...🤚

If you own horses long enough, sooner or later you are likely to confront a medical emergency. There are several behavioral traits that make our equine companions especially accident-prone: one is their instinctive flight-or-fight response; another is their need to establish the pecking order within a herd; and a third is their natural curiosity. Such behaviors account for many of the cuts, bruises, and abrasions that horses suffer. In fact, lacerations are probably the most common emergency that horse owners must contend with.

Do you know what to do if your horse is cut or bleeding? The initial steps you take to treat a wound can prevent further damage and speed healing. Maintaining your presence of mind could also save your horse's life. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind in case of emergency. How you will ultimately proceed will depend on your horse's individual circumstances and on the advice you receive from your veterinarian.

11/20/2025

With cases of equine herpesvirus appearing in other states, it’s natural to wonder which signs to watch for and what steps help prevent disease. Good biosecurity and early recognition are key to protecting your horse’s health. 🛡🐴

To learn more about equine herpesvirus visit: z.umn.edu/ehv