Learn how spring pasture affects horses and ways to reduce colic risk
Whether you are an equestrian facility or have horses on your farm for family use, if you are a horse lover you know that colic is a serious emergency in horses. Colic caused by abdominal pain from gas, impactions, or gastrointestinal issues. It can occur at any time of year, but spring colic is common due to lush pastures.
Dr. Rebecca Bishop, an equine surgeon at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, explains the seasonal differences.
“The biggest risk in winter is impaction,” said Dr. Bishop. “Horses eating hay tend to have drier ingesta. Add in dehydration if horses have reduced water intake due to freezing weather. This combination can lead to slower movement of food through the gut and, in turn, large colon impactions.” Winter colic often results from impactions due to dry hay and reduced water intake. Cold weather also slows gut motility, increasing risk.
In contrast, spring colic mainly involves gas buildup from high-sugar, rapidly fermentable spring grass. Sudden diet changes may also disrupt gut microbiome and cause diarrhea or mild colitis.
Spring brings additional risks such as overfeeding, emerging parasites like strongyles, fluctuating water intake, and underlying conditions like equine metabolic syndrome. Laminitis, inflammation in the hoof tissue, is a serious complication from high-carbohydrate diets.
Other consequences include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and endotoxins in the bloodstream. Horses may require surgery for severe colic, with risks of infection or intestinal adhesions.
Horse lovers are encouraged to watch for signs of colic: pawing, looking at flanks, rolling, reduced manure, distended abdomen, sweating, or changes in behavior. Immediate veterinary contact is essential. Remove feed, allow water, and walk the horse for 10–15 minutes if safe. Avoid medications without veterinary guidance.
Treatment may include IV fluids, pain management, anti-gas or pro-motility medications, or surgery for severe cases. Early detection generally leads to an excellent prognosis for a horse with spring colic.
When possible, it’s best to prevent colic before it starts. Begin by gradually introducing horses to spring pasture, offering hay during transition, maintaining water access, and monitoring overall health. Regular veterinary care, dental exams, and parasite control are essential. Dr. Bishop advises, “Sudden diet change is a major risk for colic.”
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