🍂 Horses in autumn: Natural support during weather changes and mud

The change in weather in autumn can really take its toll on our beloved horses. When temperatures suddenly drop, it rains more frequently, and the days grow shorter, our four-legged friends often feel these changes more acutely than we think.

What changes for our horses in autumn?

For one thing, their coat changes, and the transition from summer to winter coat can be quite strenuous. The body requires a lot of energy to manage the shedding process, which often means more stress for the immune system. Sudden, cold weather can weaken the immune system and make the horse more susceptible to colds or other infections.

In addition, paddocks and pastures often become muddy, which can lead to hoof problems. Damp ground unfortunately promotes skin diseases like mud fever, and constant contact with moisture takes a toll on the hooves, which become more prone to thrush. And anyone who has ever had a horse with hoof problems knows how uncomfortable that can be for the animals.

Our horses' digestion can also be disrupted by the change in weather. When it suddenly becomes cooler and less grass grows in the pasture, the feed must be adjusted. This transition can sometimes lead to digestive issues that we should definitely keep an eye on.

Horses are therefore sensitive to these changes in autumn – whether due to the weather, the feed, or ground conditions. But with a little extra care and attentiveness, we can help them get through this season healthy and happy!

Challenges for horses in autumn - what do I need to look out for with my horse in autumn?

In autumn, horse owners face several special challenges, as the season brings changing weather conditions and altered needs for the horses. Here are some important aspects to keep in mind:

1. Shedding:

In autumn, horses switch from their summer coat to a denser winter coat. This can lead to an increased energy demand, as the metabolism is put under greater strain.

Regular grooming helps to remove loose hair and promote skin health.

2. Feeding:

With falling temperatures and less fresh pasture grass, feeding should be adjusted. It is often necessary to add hay, silage, or concentrate feed to meet the energy requirements.

👉 You can read more about crushed oats and their storage risks here.

3. Pasture conditions:

Autumn rain can make pastures muddy, which increases the risk of hoof diseases like mud fever. Horses should be checked regularly for such problems, and it may be necessary to protect them from overly wet or muddy ground.

4. Exercise and training:

Colder temperatures and wet ground can make training more difficult. It is important to still give the horses enough exercise and to ensure a longer warm-up phase to prevent injuries.

5. Light and day length:

With shorter days, it is often harder to find enough time for training or grooming, especially if you do not have access to an illuminated riding arena.

6. Flies and parasites:

In early autumn, insects like horseflies or flies can still be active. Additionally, attention should be paid to deworming, as the risk of parasites is often higher in autumn.

7. Blanket management:

The question arises whether the horse should be blanketed. Not all horses need a blanket, but older or clipped horses might need extra protection in autumn.

So, in autumn, make sure to check your horse's needs regularly and react accordingly to the changing conditions.

How can zeolite support our horses in autumn?

Zeolite can be used in various ways to support horse management in autumn. Zeolite is a natural mineral with a microporous structure, which is becoming increasingly popular in horse care and feeding due to its binding and cleansing properties.

Here are some ways zeolite can be helpful in autumn:

Zeolite as a feed supplement in autumn

1. Detoxification and support of the digestive system:

In autumn, when the availability of feed changes (from fresh grass to hay or concentrate feed), the horse's digestion can be strained. Zeolite as a feed supplement binds pollutants, toxins, and heavy metals in the gut, helping to stabilize the gut flora and support digestion. This can also reduce the risk of colic and fecal water.

2. Strengthening the immune system:

Shedding, the associated fecal water that often accompanies it, and the fluctuating weather conditions in autumn can burden the horse's immune system. Zeolite contains valuable minerals and trace elements like silicon, which can strengthen the immune system and make the horse more resilient to diseases.
👉 Here is a collection of studies on how zeolite works against fecal water.

Zeolite for hoof health in autumn and when it gets cold

3. Hoof health and skin problems:

Wet and muddy conditions in the pasture can lead to skin and hoof problems such as mud fever or thrush .

Zeolite can be applied externally to support the healing of wounds and skin irritations, as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
It helps absorb moisture and forms a protective layer on the skin.

Zeolite for a healthy stable climate in autumn

4. Reduction of pollutants in the stable:

Zeolite can also be used as bedding to improve air quality in the stable, as it binds ammonia and moisture. This ensures a healthier stable climate, which is particularly important in autumn when horses spend more time inside and ventilation is restricted due to colder temperatures.

5. Support during shedding:

Since zeolite can stimulate the metabolism, it may support the shedding process by helping the body eliminate excess metabolic products and optimize mineral supply.

👉 You can find more on this topic in the article: Shedding in horses

Demand for zeolite wound ointment and zeolite hoof powder rises at Steinkraft-Zeolith at the end of August.

At this time, the transition from summer to autumn slowly begins, and this brings some typical problems for horses and their owners.

Here are a few reasons why these products are in such high demand during this period:

1. Drier weather:

With the onset of the first autumn rains, pastures and paddocks often become muddy. Horses that spend a lot of time outside then frequently stand on damp or even muddy ground, which puts a heavy strain on the hooves. This moisture can impair hoof health, and hoof powder is used to absorb moisture and dry the hoof before serious problems like thrush arise.

2. Increased skin problems in autumn:

Frequent contact with wet ground also increases the risk of skin diseases like mud fever. The skin in the pastern area is softened by the moisture, making it susceptible to bacteria. Zeolite wound ointment helps here to protect the skin and treat small injuries or inflammations.

3. Minor injuries from shedding:

When horses begin their shedding at the end of August, their skin is often more sensitive, and minor abrasions can occur more easily. Especially on the legs or belly, where they frequently rub, wound ointments are increasingly needed to care for the skin and soothe irritation.

4. More time in the stable:

When horses spend more time in the stable due to changing weather, humid conditions can also develop there. This also promotes skin and hoof problems, which is why owners are increasingly turning to zeolite hoof powder and zeolite wound ointment for prevention. And zeolite bedding is being used more and more. Take a look at this natural bedding. It binds ammonia, pollutants, and, of course, moisture in the stall bedding.

In short, the weather changes from the end of August, and with the wet, muddy ground and the start of shedding, skin and hoof problems in horses increase. That is why hoof powder and wound ointment with zeolite are essential care products for horse owners and belong in every stable first-aid kit during this time.

👉 Read here why Heike Kemmer recommends zeolite hoof powder as the only remedy for thrush.

👉 And here you can go to the article: Sustainable horse bedding - well worth reading.

And finally, here is what Tanja Braune writes in a horse magazine:

Volcanic rock power for healthy hooves in winter

Who doesn't know it: The snow has melted and there are deep puddles in the paddocks. Horses stand in water and mud all day long – and the hooves gradually become wetter and more sensitive. Very often, thrush occurs—the decomposition and gradual conversion of the frog horn into a greasy, foul-smelling, discolored mass caused by decay pathogens. Thrush can be identified by deep frog sulci and the putrid stench that is released when picking out the hooves. It is triggered by decay pathogens, i.e., bacteria that occur everywhere in the soil and penetrate small injuries in the frog horn. In the absence of air, they lead to the decomposition of the frog and, in the worst case, to inflammation of the bulbs and the sensitive sole of the hoof. Many horses are affected by this, especially in spring.

There are several factors that appear in winter, in particular, which promote the development of thrush: With little exercise and long periods of standing in the box, self-cleaning through the alternating hoof mechanism is restricted. In addition, ammonia from urine accumulates in the bedding and from wet ground in the paddock. This has a corrosive effect on the frog horn and provides additional space for bacteria. If the horse hoof fills with dirt, air no longer reaches the hoof, the decay bacteria take the upper hand and decompose the frog.

Therefore, it is definitely worthwhile to pay attention to certain everyday aspects of husbandry:

Dry, ammonia-free stables, drained paddocks, and daily hoof care are essential for preventing thrush. If thrush does occur, it is advisable for the farrier to thoroughly cut away all rotting areas on the frog. "By the way," assures **Swiss hoof orthopedist Armin Eberle**, "daily rinsing with water does not harm the hoof. On the contrary: it flushes away the decay pathogens on the ammonia. However, the hooves should then be dried well and not greased, as otherwise oxygen will not reach the deepest parts."

"To counteract thrush, appropriate hoof trimming is necessary, which aims to make the hoof wider. Subsequently, you can keep the affected areas clean and dry with a hoof powder made from natural zeolite. It is best to clean the central frog sulcus with a clean cloth or gauze bandage and then apply the hoof powder or even carefully insert it into the central frog sulcus with a blunt, flat object (wooden stick). You can also pad the frog sulcus with a gauze bandage or some cotton wool," recommends Martina Wimmer, hoof boot professional from St. Johann in Tyrol. "If you want to be on the safe side, the horn can also be sealed with a hoof balm in addition to the hoof powder."

The hoof powder from Steinkraft consists of natural zeolite. This is a volcanic mineral that, in its fine state, not only binds hoof bacteria like an absorbent towel but also substances responsible for the conversion of the horn. Through its unique properties, this natural zeolite wards off fungi and bacteria and simultaneously binds the excess moisture created by decay bacteria from the wet hoof.

In addition, this zeolite hoof powder is enriched with organic tea tree oil, which scores extra points with its antiseptic, antibacterial, and fungicidal effects. Thus, the natural hoof powder from Steinkraft acts like a protective film and supplies the hoof long-term. Its effect disinfects and dries the affected hoof in a natural way and thus not only effectively prevents thrush but can also combat existing decay.

Customer reviews: Zeolite application in autumn

💬 "Both of our horses accepted the zeolite pellets from the start. We dissolved them in water and firmly integrated them into their nutritional plan! We are very happy – the long-standing fecal water problem of one of our mares was resolved. The bloated belly disappeared, and the horse no longer had to constantly pass gas."
Renate with Sunny & Sandra with Gina 🐴🐴

💬 "For us, HORSEKRAFT hoof powder is the most effective product we have used to date for thrush or excessively damp hooves. It reduces pain, forms a protective film, and keeps the frog dry and clean. A noticeable improvement shows very quickly."
Heike Kemmer

Read more customer reviews here and be inspired by how you can use zeolite.

Questions and answers:

❓"When should I give zeolite to my horse in the feed in autumn?"

Best from the first significant drop in temperature or at the start of shedding. Concrete dosage: approx. 5 g per 100 kg body weight daily as powder or pellets, over 4–6 weeks. Effects appear after approx. 2 weeks.

❓"How does zeolite help with my horse's shedding?"

It binds toxins, stabilizes digestion, and supports the immune system – this relieves the metabolism and promotes healthy shedding.

❓"Can I use zeolite on wet hooves?"

Yes, the zeolite hoof powder binds moisture, dries the hoof, and prevents thrush – ideal in muddy autumn conditions.

❓"Which form of zeolite is best for horses?"

Powder works well as a feed supplement or in DIY sprays; pellets are practical in concentrate feed – both are effective. Important: both variants are fine-grained and tribomechanically ground for the best binding of pollutants.

❓"Can zeolite help with stable climate?"

Absolutely – zeolite and feed lime as bedding binds ammonia and moisture, improves air quality, and is a real win, especially in autumn when the stable is closed.

🧪 Science & Experience – Sources on the effect of zeolite in horses

To better understand the effect of zeolite in horses, it is worth looking at studies and practical experience:

1. Zeolite in animal nutrition – pollutant binding & detoxification

Zeolite (especially clinoptilolite) is used in animal feeding to bind mycotoxins, heavy metals, and ammonium in the digestive tract. This relieves the metabolism and strengthens the immune system.

• Study: EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of natural zeolites (clinoptilolite) as feed additive for all animal species, EFSA Journal, 2013.
  👉 efsa.europa.eu

2. Zeolite for supporting skin and hoof health

Zeolite can be applied externally to bind moisture, contain bacteria, and promote skin regeneration – ideal for mud fever, thrush, and small wounds.

• Study: Tzoupanos et al., Clinoptilolite in dermatological applications, International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011.
• Field report: Application of zeolite hoof powder in wet conditions – experiences from stable practice (e.g., customer feedback on Steinkraft)

3. Improve stable climate with zeolite bedding

Zeolite binds ammonia and thus reduces odor pollution and moisture in the stable – important for respiratory tracts and hoof health, especially in autumn.

• Study: Papatsiros et al., Effect of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) on ammonia and moisture in animal housing, Animal Science Journal, 2012.

💬 4. Experiences from horse owners

Many positive responses come directly from practice. Horse owners report on:

• Easier shedding
• Stronger immune defenses in autumn
• Improved hoof and skin health

👉 Field reports on steinkraft-naturerocks.com

5. Recommendations for dosage

The right amount makes the difference. The following have proven effective:

• Shedding: 5 g zeolite per 100 kg body weight daily
• Skin & Hoof: Apply locally or sprinkle daily
• Stable climate: 50–100 g/m² bedding or apply directly to damp areas

👉 Detailed info in the Steinkraft blog on shedding

👉 FAQ blog post - a guide: Everything you need to know about zeolite for horses

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