Managing Temperature Swings: Essential Tips for Horse Owners

Every winter, horse owners deal with the same challenge. One night it drops 25 to 30 degrees. The next week you are hauling from cold country down south where it can feel like summer again. These temperature swings are tough on horses, especially when travel is involved.

Understanding what is happening inside the horse’s body is the key to managing these situations well.

“These temperature swings are stressful, but once you understand what’s happening physiologically, you can manage around it really well.”
-Dr. Rob Franklin, DACVIM and co-founder of FullBucket Health

Why Cold Snaps Hit Horses Hard

Horses are natural heaters, but sudden cold forces their bodies to work overtime.

“When the temperature drops fast, the horse’s system goes into a bit of emergency mode,” says Dr. Franklin. “They burn a lot more calories just trying to stay warm.”

That is why horses dive into their hay during cold weather. Forage acts as an internal heater, generating warmth through hindgut fermentation. Increasing hay during cold snaps helps horses maintain body temperature without stressing the digestive system.

Cold air also brings another challenge.

“Cold air is extremely dry,” Dr. Franklin says. “When horses inhale it, the airways narrow, the lining dries out, and the cilia that normally clear dust and bacteria start to slow down.”

This is why coughing is more common on cold mornings, especially in horses with underlying airway sensitivity.

Dehydration Sneaks Up Fast

One of the biggest risks during cold weather is dehydration.

“The colder it gets, the less horses drink,” Dr. Franklin explains. “At the same time, they’re actually losing more water through respiration because the air is so dry.”

That combination raises the risk of impaction colic and gut disruption. Offering warm water can make a huge difference.

Even adding a little hot water to a bucket to take the chill off can significantly increase water intake.

Soaking hay or using soaked alfalfa cubes is another way to increase moisture intake during cold weather.

Cold Weather and Muscle Stiffness

Cold muscles are less elastic and take longer to warm up.

“We all know how stiff we feel trying to exercise in the cold,” says Dr. Franklin. “Horses are no different.”

Older horses, performance horses, and horses with arthritis feel this most. Expect stiffer strides after cold fronts and allow extra warm-up time before asking for speed or intensity.

If you can just add an extra ten minutes of walking, you prevent a lot of injuries.

Why Hauling Makes Everything Harder

Hauling adds another layer of stress on top of weather changes.

“The trailer environment is its own stress,” Dr. Franklin explains. “Airflow, dust, vibration, confinement, and moving through multiple climates all compound the challenge.”

When hauling from cold to warm climates, horses may struggle to regulate body temperature for the first few days. When hauling from warm to cold, the stress can be even greater.

“That warm-climate horse hitting cold air often gets stiffer, drinks less, and has a higher risk of colic if forage and water aren’t managed closely,” he says.

Dr. Franklin emphasizes one overlooked rule.

“You really need to let them stabilize for a day or two before asking for maximum performance. That one step prevents a ton of problems.”

Supporting Hydration and the Gut During Travel

Hydration remains the top priority during hauling.

“Hydration is the number one issue with temperature swings,” says Dr. Franklin.

Electrolytes before hauling, during long trips, and after arrival can help encourage drinking. Offering warm water during stops also supports hydration.

Cold stress and travel stress also impact the gut.

“When you combine temperature swings with hauling, the risk goes up for loose stools, mild colic, and a disrupted microbiome,” Dr. Franklin explains.

Maintaining consistency is critical.

“The gut doesn’t like surprises,” he says. “Keeping forage, feeding routines, and daily nutrition consistent goes a long way toward protecting gut health.”

For horses exposed to stressors, supportive nutrition like daily probiotic pellets and use of probiotic paste during travel can help support normal gut balance during routine disruptions.

Forage First, Always

One of the most important takeaways is how calories are added during cold weather.

“Forage is your horse’s internal space heater,” Dr. Franklin says. “Bump good-quality hay by 10 to 20 percent during cold snaps.”

He cautions against chasing calories with grain.

“That’s how you create hindgut problems,” he explains. “Cold stress and dehydration already strain the gut. Adding excess grain on top of that can cause serious issues.”

Smart Blanketing and Warm-Ups

Blanketing should be based on conditions, not just the temperature.

“Wind and moisture make cold much worse,” Dr. Franklin notes. “And horses with show coats don’t have natural insulation.”

He also stresses timing.

“You don’t want them sweating under a blanket before hauling. Sweat plus cold equals massive heat loss.”

Longer warm-ups are equally important.

“Let the body temperature rise before you ask for acceleration,” he says. “That protects muscles, joints, and soft tissue.”

Supporting the Immune System

Cold weather, travel, and routine disruption tax the immune system.

“The immune system is energy-hungry,” Dr. Franklin explains. “When energy is diverted to staying warm and hydration drops, immune function suffers.”

Consistency again plays a major role.

“About 70 percent of the immune system is tied to the gut,” he says. “A consistent diet keeps that system from working overtime.”

Avoid introducing new feeds or supplements during travel or major weather changes whenever possible and remember that a healthy gut microbiome is key for proper immune function. 

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Some signs should never be ignored after a cold snap or long haul.
• Persistent lack of water intake
• Dry manure
• Ongoing coughing
• Stiffness that does not improve with warm-up
• Lethargy or reduced appetite
• Diarrhea

“Those are not things to wait and watch,” he says. “They can go downhill quickly.”

The Bottom Line

Temperature swings tax the respiratory system, muscles, gut, hydration, and immune status. Add hauling to that, and it becomes a force multiplier.

With a few proactive steps, most issues can be avoided.

Keep them hydrated, increase forage, maintain routine, support the gut, blanket smart, and allow time to acclimate. Those simple steps go a long way toward keeping horses healthy and performing their best.