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

Cold, dampness, less exercise, winter hay and closed stables change the conditions under which the body operates. Many problems develop gradually – and only become apparent when the strain has already lasted for several weeks.

Colic, scours, metabolic unrest or sensitive senior horses are not coincidences.
They are often an expression of this seasonal change.

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

1. The horse's gut in winter – a sensitive system

Less exercise changes gut motility

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

In winter, however:

• the ground is frozen or muddy

• pasture time is reduced

• horses spend more time in the stable

• training is restricted

The result: gut motility slows down.

A sluggish gut promotes:

• colic

• changing manure consistency

• gas formation

• stress conditions

Sensitive horses react particularly clearly.

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

have a direct effect on the gut environment.

A sensitive horse can react to new bales with digestive unrest – especially when little exercise is added.

Colic in winter – why it occurs so frequently

Colic often occurs 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 strain

The gut loses its stability.

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

🔗 Here you can read even more about colic →

2. Winter stress and metabolic strain

Cold costs energy

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

• increased energy requirements

• increased metabolic activity

• more metabolic intermediates

This strain becomes particularly apparent in:

• older horses

• metabolically sensitive animals

• horses with weight problems

shows clearly.

Temperature fluctuations as a stress factor

It is not constant cold that is problematic –
but the alternation between frost, thaw, wind and dampness.

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

The connection between the mind and digestion is close in horses.

3. Skin, scours and dampness

Why scours occur in winter

Damp skin loses its protective function.
Micro-injuries open the door for germs.

Winter means:

• mud

• wet paddocks

• damp fetlocks

• waterlogged skin

The longer moisture acts, the greater the risk of scours.

Drying as a central protective factor

This is where Zeolite hoof and skin powder plays an important role.

Zeolite:

• binds moisture

• reduces germ load

• creates dry conditions

• supports skin regeneration

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

4. Stable climate in winter – an 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 the respiratory tract

• weaken the hooves

• impair general well-being

• trigger allergies

Zeolite in bedding can:

• bind ammonia

• reduce moisture

• keep the box drier

This affects not only the air quality, but also hoof health.

🔗 Read more about the effects of zeolite hoof powder and why Heike Kemmer recommends it as the only thing that really helps naturally →

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 disruption.

Stability is particularly important here.

Zeolite can be used to support:

• balancing the gut environment

• binding metabolic intermediates

• cushioning stressful phases

Naturally, it does not replace adapted feeding – but it can accompany it.

6. The emotional dimension of winter

Winter means for horse owners:

• daily checking of the fetlocks

• uncertainty about colic

• worries about stable air

• questions about feed quantity

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

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

Conclusion: Winter is adaptation – and needs support

Horses are robust.

But winter means:

• changed digestive dynamics

• increased metabolic work

• skin strain due to moisture

• stable hygiene challenges

• special requirements for senior horses

Who consciously supports this phase creates the foundation for a stable start into spring.

Zeolite can have a supportive effect both internally and externally –
through binding, stabilization and moisture regulation.

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

❓ FAQ – Horses in Winter

Why do horses more frequently suffer from loose manure in winter?

In winter, horses often move less, sometimes drink too little, and eat predominantly dry hay. This combination can slow down intestinal movement and change the intestinal environment. Fluctuating hay quality 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 strain the sensitive horse gut. Particularly sensitive or older horses react with loose manure or digestive upset.

Why does scours 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 exercise affect the horse gut?

Exercise stimulates intestinal motility. If horses stand more in the stable or in small paddocks in winter, the digestive tract becomes sluggish. This can promote loose manure, bloating, or a tendency toward constipation.

Why are older horses more heavily affected in winter?

Senior horses often have a more sensitive metabolism and less efficient digestion. Cold additionally 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. When used internally, it can bind metabolic intermediates and support a stable intestinal environment. Externally, it helps with skin problems by binding moisture and can reduce ammonia in the bedding.