10/11/2026
🐴 HORSE OWNERS — PLEASE READ! LET’S STAY AHEAD OF COLIC! 🐴
A really good friend of mine, Nan, made me aware that Wisconsin is preparing for temperatures to drop to around 30°F! Thank you, Nan, for bringing this to my attention. ❤️ Since most of my clients are located in Wisconsin, I wanted to take this opportunity to put some important information out there to help everyone prepare for this sudden temperature drop and protect our horses.
When we experience a sudden, extreme temperature drop, our horses can be affected more than we realize. One of the biggest concerns during cold weather is a decrease in water consumption, which can increase the risk of impaction colic.
As someone who has spent decades working with horses, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be proactive rather than reactive. Prevention and observation are everything!
🐴 HERE’S WHAT EVERY HORSE OWNER SHOULD BE DOING:
💧 1. MONITOR WATER INTAKE!
Cold weather can cause horses to drink less, and this is something we need to pay very close attention to!
Here’s why: As temperatures drop, horses often consume more hay and other forage to help maintain body heat through digestion. Unlike fresh pasture, dry hay contains very little moisture. This means your horse may be consuming more dry matter while drinking less water because the water is too cold or unappealing.
This is where we need to stay ahead of the game!
Water is essential for keeping the digestive contents moving through the gastrointestinal tract. When a horse doesn’t consume enough water, the contents of the large intestine can become drier, increasing the risk of an impaction. An impaction occurs when feed material becomes lodged in the digestive tract and cannot move through normally.
Pay attention to how much water your horse is actually drinking, not just whether water is available. Check buckets and water troughs regularly so you can estimate their daily intake.
🌡️ 2. KEEP WATER AT A COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE.
Many horses drink more readily when their water isn’t ice-cold. Offering water around 45–65°F, when practical, may encourage drinking. Always ensure they have continuous access to clean, unfrozen water.
💡 Remember, just because your horse has access to water doesn’t mean they’re drinking enough!
🌾 3. WATCH THEIR FEED AND FORAGE INTAKE.
Consistent forage intake is important for normal digestive function. Make sure your horse has adequate, good-quality hay and is eating normally. Avoid sudden feed changes, excessive grain, or abrupt changes to their routine.
As temperatures drop, your horse may need more forage to support heat production. However, increased hay consumption must go hand in hand with adequate hydration. More dry forage combined with insufficient water intake can contribute to digestive problems.
💩 4. MONITOR MANURE PRODUCTION!
Pay attention to how often your horse passes manure and whether the amount or consistency changes. Less manure than normal, unusually dry manure, or a sudden change in output can be an early warning sign that something isn’t right.
Remember, changes in manure production can be an important clue that your horse’s digestive system isn’t functioning normally.
🐎 5. KNOW YOUR HORSE’S NORMAL BEHAVIOR.
Is your horse eating normally? Drinking? Moving around? Passing manure? Acting like themselves?
Watch for pawing, looking at the flanks, repeatedly lying down, rolling, stretching as if to urinate, loss of appetite, unusual quietness, or restlessness. These can be signs of colic.
🌿 6. KEEP THEM MOVING SAFELY.
Maintain their normal movement and turnout routine when conditions are safe. Icy footing, frozen ground, and extreme weather can limit movement, so adjust their routine carefully.
Movement supports normal gut motility, and maintaining a consistent routine can help support digestive health.
🧂 7. BE CAREFUL WITH ELECTROLYTES.
Do not automatically add electrolytes or salt to water, especially if it could discourage your horse from drinking. Provide appropriate access to salt and consult your equine veterinarian about individual needs.
❤️ 8. PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO SENIOR HORSES AND THOSE WITH A HISTORY OF COLIC.
Older horses, horses with dental problems, and those with previous digestive issues may need closer monitoring during sudden weather changes.
Senior horses with dental difficulties may struggle to chew hay properly, and horses with existing health issues may need additional support to maintain normal hydration and digestion.
🚨 PLEASE DON’T IGNORE THE WARNING SIGNS!
If your horse shows signs of colic, contact your equine veterinarian promptly. Do not wait overnight hoping the symptoms will resolve. If your horse is repeatedly rolling, sweating, in significant pain, or refusing food, treat it as urgent.
The goal is to prevent problems before they become emergencies.
A sudden temperature drop doesn’t automatically mean your horse will develop colic, but changes in hydration, forage intake, and routine can increase the risk.
❤️ LET ME EMPHASIZE THIS ONE MORE TIME: HYDRATION IS KEY!
Please don’t wait until you notice your horse isn’t feeling well to start paying attention to their water consumption. Start monitoring today!
Know how much your horse normally drinks, watch for changes, and make sure clean, unfrozen water is always available. If your horse’s water consumption suddenly decreases, take it seriously and investigate why.
Our horses depend on us to recognize the little changes before they become big problems. Sometimes, the simplest things we do every day make the biggest difference in their health.
Please share this post with your horse friends, barn owners, and anyone caring for equines. You never know whose horse might benefit from this information!
Let’s look out for one another and, most importantly, let’s keep our horses safe, hydrated, comfortable, and healthy as these temperatures drop! 🐴❤️
With love for the horses,
And y’all know where I’m at if an emergency arises!
Julez Animal Communication & Healing