Supporting Your Horses Metabolism Through Frost Season

By Dr. Wellspring

Dear Wild Fed Community,

Can you feel it? 🍂 Fall is almost here. The leaves are turning, mornings are crisp, and dew is beginning to form. With the change of seasons, we find ourselves reflecting on how much we have to be grateful for.

Wild Fed began back in 2013 with just 50 bags ordered through The Reflective Horse, an equine therapy program. From that small beginning, word of mouth carried us—one happy horse to the next—until today, when Wild Fed products are feeding horses across the U.S. We truly couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for being part of this journey.

To celebrate the season and to share our gratitude, we’re offering 20% off supplements and our cozy Wild Fed Hoodies! Perfect for layering up on chilly mornings at the barn.

As we shift into fall, it’s also a good time to think about how the season affects our horses. Cooler nights, morning dew, and the first frosts bring changes to pasture grasses—and to your horse’s metabolism. Here’s what you can do to support them during this transition.

Seasonal Protocol

• Liver Cleanse: Do 1 month of cleansing now (1 scoop 2x/day; 1 bag lasts the month).

• Blood Sugar Support: Continue until snow covers the ground and grass is fully dormant.

Why Frost Raises Sugar in Grass

• Daytime: Grass photosynthesizes and produces sugars.

• Warm nights: Sugars are used overnight for growth and energy.

• Cold/frosty nights: Plant growth slows, so sugars aren’t used up—they accumulate.

• Result: By morning after a frost, grass blades are loaded with excess sugars (fructans, starches, simple sugars).

Why This Matters for Horses

• Frosty mornings = sudden spike of sugar in pasture.

• High risk for horses with laminitis, insulin resistance, or metabolic issues.

• The danger is greatest right after the first fall frosts and during periods of sunny days + cold nights.

What Not to Do: Restrict Hay

It seems logical—feed less hay, the horse loses weight. But horses are designed to graze almost constantly. When we restrict forage:

• Stress hormones rise. Cortisol spikes when horses feel food-insecure, telling the body to hold onto fat.

• Metabolism slows. The body interprets food restriction as a “famine” and conserves energy.

• Gut health suffers. Empty stomachs mean acid builds up, increasing the risk of ulcers and discomfort.

How Free-Choice Hay with a Slow Feeder Helps

When hay is available around the clock—offered in a slow feeder to extend eating time—horses relax. Their bodies shift from survival mode into balance. Benefits include:

• Weight loss (yes, really!). With stress reduced, metabolism works more efficiently, and horses naturally slim down.

• Steadier blood sugar. Grazing small amounts over time prevents sugar spikes and crashes.

• Improved digestion. Constant forage supports healthy gut microbes and reduces colic risk.

• Happier horses. Chewing is calming—fewer vices like cribbing, pacing, or wood chewing.

Why the Liver Matters for Weight & Metabolism

A strong liver is essential for processing sugars, balancing hormones, and keeping inflammation down.

• Fat & sugar metabolism: Processes fats, regulates glucose storage/release, supports steady energy.

• Hormone balance: Clears excess hormones (like cortisol and estrogen) that affect weight.

• Inflammation control: Filters inflammatory byproducts; less burden means easier weight regulation.

• Digestive support: Produces bile to break down fats—vital for nutrient absorption.

In Horses:

• Beneficial for those with metabolic issues, insulin resistance, or Cushing’s.

• Supports energy, allergy relief, joint comfort, and sometimes even weight loss (by “unclogging” metabolic filters).

• Not a quick-fix for weight loss, but when paired with free-choice slow feeding and Blood Sugar Support, it creates a strong foundation for healthy metabolism.

Recommendation:
We suggest 1 scoop 2x/day for 1 month (requires 1 bag of our Liver Cleanse).

This fall, may you and your horses find balance, resilience, and joy. Don’t forget to take advantage of our 20% off Fall Sale—and thank you again for trusting us with your horse’s health.

With gratitude,
Dr. Samantha Aaylah Wellspring ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Herbalist
CEO & Formulator of Wild Fed

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