110: Five Reasons Your Metabolic Horse Struggles in the Fall

Fall can be a challenging time for horses with metabolic issues, even when you’ve spent months doing everything right.

Today, we’re exploring five reasons metabolic horses struggle in the fall. You’ll learn how to recognize seasonal setbacks, track meaningful signs of improvement, and support your horse without abandoning a program that may still be working.

Metabolic horses

Shorter days trigger hormonal changes that prepare horses for winter. Rising ACTH and cortisol can increase blood sugar and insulin, promoting fat storage. Metabolic horses may also develop fat pads, retain fluid, and experience increased inflammation.

Fall grass

Sunny days followed by cold nights can cause sugars to accumulate in grass. Frost-stressed, short or brown grass may also be high in sugar, increasing risks for sensitive horses.

Dietary changes

Abruptly switching from grass to hay disrupts the hindgut microbiome and may contribute to inflammation and digestive problems. Instead, transition gradually over two to three weeks.

Inflammation

Digestive problems, unresolved hoof damage, and poor circulation can contribute to inflammation. Inflammation may increase insulin, while high insulin promotes fat storage. Fat deposits can further contribute to inflammation.

Stress

Feed restriction, prolonged isolation and confinement can all increase stress and cortisol levels, even when a horse shows no obvious signs of anxiety. Some horses become withdrawn and apathetic rather than restless or agitated. Supporting metabolic health therefore means looking beyond diet to the horse’s overall well-being, with particular attention to the three Fs: forage, freedom and friendship.