Watch out for colic this winter

Drought and extreme weather have led to forage shortages and inconsistency in the quality of grazing land this year. “Horses are usually at higher risk of colic in the autumn and winter months due to changing temperatures and diet. However, conditions this year present a particular increased risk,” according to Nettex equine specialist, Serena Kidd.

“We have seen an increase in demand for prebiotic and calming products to help horses through the sharp change in diet this autumn. Forage availability and quality across the spring and summer was hit hard by drought conditions. However, recent rain coupled with relatively mild temperatures has resulted in an autumn grass flush across much of the country; this can lead to gut microbiome imbalances and digestive challenges,” she says. As horses are stabled, a further rapid shift in diet and management can result in a gut imbalance that can lead to colic.

“Managing a horse’s diet in autumn can be tricky, so keeping gut bacteria balanced is crucial to help minimise the risk of colic. Making any changes to routine and diet slowly, encouraging water intake as time in the stable increases, maintaining regular exercise and avoiding high levels of concentrate feeding will all benefit intestinal health. Providing a prebiotic can also help to feed the good bacteria in the gut to make it a more stable environment,” says Serena.

Multiple field studies have shown the benefits of fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) for intestinal health. In one study, a 13-year-old, 18 hands high gelding had recurrent colic which caused poor behaviour and a reduced appetite. After being fed FWGE, the colic episodes disappeared and the horse was better behaved with a better appetite, which helped it to gain weight and perform better.

“As the temperature drops and grass becomes less available, horses have a tendency to overgraze. That can lead to poaching, damaged grassland and a fall in the quality of available grazing. A slow and steady approach to shifting diet will be most beneficial at this time of year to enable the horse’s gut to transition between diets,” she adds.

The shift from drought-stricken pastures to a flush of autumn grass has led to a dramatic change in forage quality and intake for many horses this year. This extreme change, combined with the shift to being stabled, can cause hindgut disruption that increases the risk of colic.

“The microbial imbalance caused by extreme changes to diet leads to the buildup of harmful bacteria in the hindgut and a drop in beneficial microbes. Prebiotics like eCalm can help support the growth of beneficial microbes, balancing the hindgut to help reduce the risk of colic and ensure a healthy, efficient digestive system,” says Serena.