How Changing Seasons Affect Your Horse
Seasonal changes can impact your horse’s health and diet. From fluctuating pasture quality to sudden temperature drops, knowing how to prepare can help keep your horse healthy and comfortable.
Why Fall Pastures Can Be Risky
Pasture quality changes year-round, but the shift from summer to fall is significant. During fall, warm days and cool nights affect how pasture plants grow.
- Plants produce sugars during the day through photosynthesis.
- Cool autumn nights slow plant growth, leading to a buildup of sugars in the grass.
- High sugar levels in fall pastures can increase the risk of digestive issues or laminitis in horses.
Horses most at risk include:
- Overweight horses
- Horses sensitive to sugar or with blood sugar management issues
Weather Swings and Digestive Health
Fall weather often brings dramatic temperature changes. These fluctuations can affect your horse in several ways:
- Sudden drops in temperature may cause horses to drink less water.
- Owners often feed more hay to keep horses warm in colder weather.
- Less water and more hay can increase the risk of impaction colic.
Some horse owners and veterinarians also notice a link between changes in barometric pressure and colic episodes, although this isn’t scientifically proven.
Transitioning From Pasture to Hay
As fall moves into winter, hay becomes the primary forage for most horses. Switching from pasture to hay is a big dietary change and should be done gradually to avoid digestive upset.
What makes good-quality hay? Look for:
- Clean hay with a fresh smell
- A high leaf-to-stem ratio
- Small-diameter stems
- Bright color (avoid yellow or brown hay)
- Few seed heads or blooms
Younger hay is better for your horse’s nutrition. Immature plants have more protein, energy, and minerals. Older plants have thicker stems and more indigestible fiber, which reduces nutrient availability.
If your hay quality is low, you may need to supplement with higher-quality feed to maintain your horse’s health.
Preparing for Winter
Fall is the perfect time to evaluate your horse’s diet and condition. Consider the following:
- Is your forage quality good enough to meet your horse’s needs?
- Does the grain ration need adjustment?
Horses should be in good condition before winter arrives. Adjust grain rations early in the fall to prevent weight loss. If your horse is underweight, fall is the time to help them gain before colder temperatures set in.
Key Takeaways
- High sugar levels in fall pastures can pose risks for some horses.
- Temperature changes can affect hydration and digestion, increasing the risk of colic.
- Transition from pasture to hay gradually to prevent digestive issues.
- Choose high-quality hay and adjust grain rations to meet your horse’s nutritional needs.
By staying ahead of seasonal changes, you can ensure your horse stays healthy and comfortable through fall and winter.
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