Winter is not a quiet season for horses.
It is a period of adaptation.

Cold, dampness, less exercise, winter hay, and closed stables change the conditions under which the organism operates. Many problems develop insidiously – and only become apparent after the stress has persisted for several weeks.

Fecal water, mud fever, metabolic imbalances, or sensitive senior horses are not coincidences.
They are often an expression of this seasonal change.

This article highlights the central challenges horses face in winter – and shows how natural support can be effectively used.

1. The Horse's Gut in Winter – a Sensitive System

Less Movement Changes Gut Motility

Horses are continuous eaters and animals of movement.
Their gut health is directly linked to free movement.

In winter, however:

• ground is frozen or muddy

• pasture access is reduced

• horses spend more time in the stable

• training is limited

The result: gut motility slows down.

A sluggish gut promotes:

• fecal water

• varying stool consistency

• gas formation

• tension

Sensitive horses, in particular, react significantly.

Winter Hay – Main Feed with Fluctuations

In winter, feeding consists almost exclusively of hay.
But hay is a natural product.

Differences in:

• cutting time

• structure

• crude fiber content

• dust load

• storage conditions

directly affect the gut environment.

A sensitive horse can react to new bales with digestive upset – especially if there is little movement.

Fecal Water in Winter – Why It Occurs So Frequently

Fecal water often arises when the balance in the large intestine is disturbed.

Typical winter factors:

• little exercise

• cold drinking water → reduced water intake

• structural changes in hay

• increased metabolic stress

The gut loses its stability.

Here, Zeolite as a feed supplement can provide support.
Due to its high adsorption capacity, it can bind metabolic by-products and help stabilize the gut environment – without interfering with natural processes.

🔗 Read more about fecal water here →

2. Winter Stress and Metabolic Burden

Cold Costs Energy

A horse's organism produces more heat at low temperatures.
This means:

• increased energy demand

• increased metabolic activity

• more metabolic by-products

Especially for:

• older horses

• metabolically sensitive animals

• horses with weight problems

this stress is clearly visible.

Temperature Fluctuations as a Stress Factor

It's not constant cold that's problematic –
but the alternation between frost, thaw, wind, and wetness.

These fluctuations activate stress mechanisms in the body.
Stress, in turn, directly affects the gut.

The connection between psyche and digestion is close in horses.

3. Skin, Mud Fever, and Moisture

Why Mud Fever Develops in Winter

Moist skin loses its protective function.
Micro-injuries open the door to germs.

Winter means:

• mud

• wet paddocks

• damp pasterns

• softened skin

The longer moisture acts, the greater the risk of mud fever.

Drying as a Central Protective Factor

Here, Zeolite Hoof and Skin Powder plays an important role.

Zeolite:

• binds moisture

• reduces germ load

• creates dry conditions

• supports skin regeneration

Especially during transitional periods between snow and thaw, moisture control is crucial.

4. Stable Climate in Winter – Underestimated Factor

Closed windows, less air exchange, more bedding –
the stable climate changes significantly.

Ammonia is produced by the decomposition of urea.
High concentrations can:

• irritate airways

• weaken hooves

• impair general well-being

• trigger allergies

Zeolite in bedding can:

• bind ammonia

• reduce moisture

• keep the stall drier

This affects not only air quality but also hoof health.

🔗 Read more about the effects of Zeolite hoof powder and why Heike Kemmer recommends it as the only truly natural helper →

5. Older Horses in Winter

Senior horses react more sensitively to:

• feed changes

• lack of exercise

• temperature fluctuations

Their metabolism works less efficiently.
Digestive processes are more prone to disturbance.

Here, stability is particularly important.

Zeolite can be used to support:

• balancing the gut environment

• binding metabolic by-products

• cushioning stressful phases

Of course, it does not replace appropriate feeding – but it can provide accompaniment.

6. The Emotional Dimension of Winter

For horse owners, winter means:

• daily checking of pasterns

• uncertainty about fecal water

• worry about stable air

• questions about feed quantity

The longing for spring is often also a longing for stability.

Natural support is not chosen for convenience during this phase –
but out of care.

Conclusion: Winter is Adaptation – and Needs Accompaniment

Horses are robust.

But winter means:

• changed digestive dynamics

• increased metabolic work

• skin stress due to moisture

• stable hygiene challenges

• special requirements for senior horses

Consciously accompanying this phase lays the foundation for a stable start to spring.

Zeolite can provide internal and external support –
through binding, stabilization, and moisture regulation.

Not as a miracle cure.
But as a natural companion in a demanding season.

❓ FAQ – Horses in Winter

Why do horses often get fecal water in winter?

In winter, horses often move less, sometimes drink too little, and predominantly eat dry hay. This combination can slow down intestinal movement and change the gut environment. Fluctuating hay quality further exacerbates the problem.

Why is winter hay problematic for some horses?

Winter hay is the main feed during the cold season. Differences in structure, dust content, or nutrient composition can stress the sensitive horse's gut. Especially sensitive or older horses react with fecal water or digestive upset.

Why does mud fever occur particularly frequently in winter?

Moisture, mud, and softened skin weaken the natural protective barrier of the pasterns. Micro-injuries occur more easily, and germs can settle. Dry conditions and good stable hygiene are therefore crucial.

How does little movement affect the horse's gut?

Movement stimulates gut motility. If horses spend more time in the stable or on small paddocks in winter, the digestive tract becomes sluggish. This can promote fecal water, flatulence, or constipation tendencies.

Why are older horses more stressed in winter?

Senior horses often have a more sensitive metabolism and less efficient digestion. Cold also increases energy requirements. Regeneration and adaptation take longer than in young horses.

How can Zeolite support horses in winter?

Zeolite has a high adsorption capacity. Applied internally, it can bind metabolic by-products and support a stable gut environment. Externally, it helps with skin problems by binding moisture and can reduce ammonia in bedding.