Tag Archives: winter

Feeding In Winter

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

Forage first is always the rule of feeding horses, but in winter it may not be enough. Every horse has a LCT – lower critical temperature. This is the environmental temperature (air temperature + wind chill) below which the horse … Continue reading →

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Air Quality in the Barn

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

When the winds are up and temperatures drop we want our horses to be comfortable and protected. Nestling into a cozy stable may seem like a good solution but there are health risks lurking in a tightly closed up barn. … Continue reading →

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Digestive Issues in Horses on Dry Diets

Posted on March 7, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

When horses can’t have fresh pasture, either because of stall confinement or the season, the logical next best thing is hay. After all, hay is just dried grass. All the major nutrients – fiber, protein, carbohydrate – are basically the … Continue reading →

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Growing Horses in Cold Weather

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Hoof growth isn’t the only thing that slows down in cold weather. The growth of young horses can too [Onoda et al 2013, 2014]. Several studies have now documented a slowing down of growth rate in the winter with a … Continue reading →

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Vitamin Concerns in the Winter

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Your horse’s vitamin needs don’t really change in the winter – but the supply available from the diet does.  This is because there is a big  difference between fresh grass versus hay and also because hay vitamin levels decrease with … Continue reading →

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Winter Respiratory Health

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

An elevated concentration of irritants in the air causes measurable lung inflammation in all horses. There may or may not be a true allergic component. Continued exposure can lead to IAD (inflammatory airway disease) or RAO (recurrent airway obstruction) in … Continue reading →

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Mid Winter Check List

Posted on January 19, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

With all the chores to do, you probably spend as much time at the barn in winter as during warmer weather but you probably don’t interact with your horse in the same way. This can result in some things creeping … Continue reading →

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Can EMS Horses Graze Dead Winter Pastures?

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Unless you are living in an area with very mild winters, your pasture grasses will shrivel and turn brown over the winter. However, that plant is not dead and horses will be more than happy to eat it. This could … Continue reading →

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Winter Laminitis

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Dr. Kellon

Veterinarians working with many laminitic horses are well acquainted with the problem but others may be unfamiliar with it.  It’s a laminitis-like syndrome triggered by cold weather. Horses normally have a very high tolerance for cold.  In all species, cold … Continue reading →

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Preventing Colic in Winter

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Dr. Kellon

You have probably seen this topic appear several times and in many places – with good reason. Colic is more common in winter (and fall), and the risk factors can be mitigated for the most part. vetmed.illinois.edu Impaction colic is … Continue reading →

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