❄️ Vet Guide: Red or Orange Horse Urine in Snow | 2025 Urine Oxidation or a Health Concern? 🐴

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Snowy paddocks make for beautiful winter scenes—but they can also be alarming if you notice **bright red or orange urine stains** in the snow where your horse has urinated. Understandably, many owners worry they’re seeing blood. Fortunately, in most cases, it’s not a medical emergency. ❄️🐎

In this 2025 guide, I’ll explain what causes red or orange urine in snow, how to tell if it’s **oxidation or a health issue**, and what steps to take if something doesn’t look right. 🧠🔍

🧪 Why Horse Urine Turns Red or Orange in Snow

When horse urine hits snow, a chemical reaction occurs. **Proteins called pyrocatechines** (found in equine urine) oxidize at cold temperatures, turning the urine red or orange. ❄️🧬

This Reaction Is:

• ✅ Completely normal
• 🧪 Temperature-dependent
• 🧠 Often mistaken for blood

So while it may look alarming, it’s usually just a **visual illusion caused by chemistry and weather**. 🌡️

🩸 When to Be Concerned About Discolored Urine

Although most red urine stains in snow are harmless, true bleeding in urine (hematuria) can happen—and it's important to know the difference. ❗

Red Flags That Warrant a Closer Look:

• 🧪 Blood clots or thick red patches in the snow
• 🐴 Signs of pain while urinating
• 📉 Decreased appetite or lethargy
• 💧 Urine looks red or cloudy in a cup—not just on snow

These could indicate **urinary tract infections (UTIs)**, **bladder stones**, **urethral tears**, or even **kidney disease**. 🩺

🔬 How to Safely Collect a Urine Sample

If you want to confirm whether the red/orange is oxidation or a health issue, the best approach is to **collect a clean urine sample directly**. 🧪

DIY Collection Tip:

• 📦 Use a **large clean plastic cup** or food storage container
• 📏 Attach it to a **long stick with duct tape** to avoid spooking the horse
• 📅 Try early morning when horses are more likely to urinate

If the sample is **normal yellow in the cup**, oxidation is likely. But if the urine is red, pink, cloudy, or bloody in the container, it’s time to **call your vet**. 📞

🧠 Conditions That Cause Bloody Urine in Horses

Blood in equine urine may stem from:

• 🦠 **Urinary tract infections** – may cause pain, frequent urination, or odor
• 🧱 **Bladder stones (uroliths)** – can cause bleeding and irritation
• 🔪 **Urethral tears** – particularly in geldings and stallions
• 🩸 **Kidney bleeding** – often more serious and needs prompt evaluation
• 🧬 **Bladder tumors** – rare but possible in older horses

Your vet may recommend **urinalysis, ultrasound, or endoscopy** if any of these are suspected. 🩺

📲 Use Ask A Vet to Evaluate Urine Concerns

The Ask A Vet app helps you determine whether discolored urine is normal oxidation—or something more serious:

• 📸 Upload photos of urine patches in snow
• 📋 Ask about symptoms that suggest a UTI or stones
• 🧪 Get guidance on how to safely collect a sample
• 📈 Track changes in urine color or frequency over time

Don’t panic—check it out and get answers fast. 🐴📲

✅ Urine in Snow Takeaways for 2025

• ❄️ Red or orange urine in snow is usually **harmless oxidation**
• 🧪 It results from **cold temperatures reacting with urine proteins**
• ⚠️ Always collect a sample if you’re unsure
• 📉 True blood in urine may signal infection, stones, or other conditions
• 📱 Use Ask A Vet to assess safely and avoid unnecessary worry

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Winter can reveal things that aren’t really there—including red urine stains that have more to do with snow than sickness. But if something doesn’t seem right, it’s always better to **check and confirm**. A quick urine sample and a vet’s opinion can offer peace of mind—or catch a problem early. 🧠💙

Download the Ask A Vet app to evaluate urine changes, submit photos for review, and get expert support all winter long. 🐎📱