As I pulled up to the barn this week, I noticed Copper, my friend Donna’s horse, on the ground in his turnout, rolling. Nothing unusual there, horses love a good dirt bath, but Copper had colicked just two weeks ago. I watched a little closer as I parked, and sure enough, after the roll he got up but didn’t shake. Alarms went off in my head.

Luckily, his momma was there. I found Donna prepping supplements for Copper and his buddy Bruno (and yes, every single time I hear “Bruno,” my brain starts singing We Don’t Talk About Bruno thanks to Encanto and my granddaughter Henley).

I told her what I’d seen, and we headed out together. Sure enough, Copper was down again. We took immediate action, walking him and calling the vet. Thankfully, his veterinarian was already on the way for a routine checkup that had been delayed earlier that morning by another colic case. What are the odds?

It was a wake-up call that even when you think things are back to normal, colic can sneak up fast, especially with these wild temperature swings.

What colic really is

According to The Merck Veterinary Manual, colic describes any condition that causes pain in the abdomen, most often involving the digestive tract. It notes that impaction, gas buildup, and intestinal displacements are among the most common causes seen in domestic horses. One of the most common forms is impaction colic, where feed material or manure gets too dry and stops moving through the intestines.

Why weather swings increase the risk

1. Horses drink less. Cold water doesn’t appeal to most horses, and frozen buckets don’t help either. Dehydration makes manure harder and more difficult to pass, which is the number-one cause of winter impactions.

2. Diet and routine shift. Switching hay batches, moving from pasture to dry lots, or cutting down turnout all affect gut bacteria. Sudden changes in feed or schedule upset digestion and can trigger gas buildup.

3. Less movement. Cold, wind, and slick footing often mean less turnout or riding time. A horse’s digestive system needs motion to keep things moving. A day or two of standing still can slow gut motility.

4. Stress. Weather extremes, herd changes, or disrupted feeding schedules can all throw off a sensitive gut.

Other common causes of colic

Not enough water, even in warm weather.
Sand ingestion from eating hay off sandy soil.
Sudden diet changes or overfeeding grain.
Parasites or dental issues interfering with digestion.
Travel stress or abrupt confinement.

Recognizing the signs

You may remember from our earlier post, “Horse Won’t Eat? Could Be Colic,” that the first clue isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it is simply that your horse leaves a bit of hay behind or seems “off.”

Other common signs include:

Pawing, rolling, or repeatedly lying down and getting up
Looking or biting at the flank
Stretching out as if to urinate but not producing anything
Little or no manure output
Lack of gut sounds when you place your ear near the flank
Sweating without exercise
Not shaking off dust after a roll
Restlessness or dull, distant eyes

Not every symptom means disaster, but multiple signs together are a red flag.

What a veterinarian does during a colic call

Your vet will start with:

A full physical exam: Checking temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and gut sounds with a stethoscope.
Palpation: Feeling the abdomen through the rectum to identify gas, impactions, or twists.
Nasogastric intubation: Passing a soft tube through the nostril into the stomach to relieve pressure and check for reflux (built-up fluid). Bee had one in August, link to picture here —> Nasogastric intubation
Pain control and fluids: Administering medications like Banamine for discomfort and possibly IV fluids or mineral oil or electrolyte drench to rehydrate the gut.
Observation: If pain returns quickly, or if there is reflux or severe impaction, the vet may refer the horse for surgical evaluation.

The good news is that most colic cases resolve medically with prompt attention and careful aftercare.

The Merck Veterinary Manual details these same steps as the standard protocol for diagnosing and treating colic, noting that early intervention and hydration are key to successful outcomes.

Gastrointestinal tract, right side, horse.jpg

Daily prevention that actually works

Keep water warm and fresh. Encourage drinking with heated buckets or a splash of apple juice (my barn mates are fond of Replenimash, it is not Bee’s favorite, I’m going to need to try Gatorade I think).
Feed high-quality hay and keep the schedule consistent. Split grain into smaller meals.
Turnout and movement every day. Hand-walking counts on icy days.
Use mats or feeders to avoid sand ingestion.
Keep up with dental and deworming schedules.

And perhaps the simplest but most overlooked: know what is normal for your horse. Manure quantity, water intake, appetite, and attitude can tell you a lot if you pay attention.

Bee’s barn update

Bee is drinking well, enjoying her turnout, and thankfully has not had any belly trouble, though I have been keeping a hawk’s eye on her manure output just in case. If horse ownership doesn’t humble you, evaluating poop piles will.

Barn Watch Checklist 🧾

(Print or save this for the tack room door.)

✅ Water buckets filled and unfrozen
✅ Salt block or loose salt available
✅ Feed and turnout on schedule
✅ Gut sounds checked (at least once a week)
✅ Normal manure piles for each horse
✅ Movement time: turnout, ride, or hand-walk
✅ Hay off the ground or on mats
✅ Monitor temperature swings and adjust water

Much of what I learned this week came from The Merck Veterinary Manual and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), both of which have excellent resources for horse owners who want to understand the “why” behind the care routines we follow (AAEP requires professional membership).

Final thoughts

Weather changes do not cause colic directly, but they tip the odds when combined with dehydration, reduced movement, or feed changes. The key is routine in water, feed, and daily care.

So this week, Bee and I are sticking to our barn rhythm, keeping the buckets topped, and watching our herd neighbors closely. Prevention is far easier than an emergency call in the middle of a cold night.

Until next time,
Christina & Bee 🐝💛

Bonus Buzz: Colic, Cold Snaps, and Keeping Guts Happy