Dealing With Colic - Fast Action Could Save Your Horses Life!Colic is intestinal upset accompanied by moderate to severe pain. Most of the time, it comes on very suddenly and could be a serious threat to your horse’s life. These bouts can be brought on by many different things, such as over-eating, stress or even a dramatic change in the weather. I was originally going to add this topic into the horse ailments page, but it is such an important issue. I decided that it deserves a page all by itself. Equine colic is said to be the number one killer of horses. Knowing the symptoms, and how to deal with it, could save your horse’s life. It can be one of the most frightening events for horse owners. There are three main types of horse colic, these include, gas, impaction and sand. Impaction happens when digested matter builds up in the intestinal tract and does not pass through. Gas colic is just as it sounds, the horse has a severe build up of gas. Sand colic occurs when a horse is allowed to eat on sandy ground, such as eating hay inside a sandy arena. Symptoms You should never allow a horse with this problem to lie down and roll. He can twist his gut, and then you have major problems. A twisted gut occurs when a portion of the intestine becomes wrapped around itself. In such cases, the blood supply is cut off and will cause severe pain and possible shock. If you suspect equine colic, call the vet immediately. Remove any hay or feed from his stall and keep him moving. Make sure he has free access to water. Walking your horse may alleviate some of the pain and will sometimes get the gut moving again. Don’t take it personally if your horse acts up. He doesn’t understand why he’s hurting or that you are just trying to help him. Good leading skills and a good relationship with your horse are a must at times like this. Causes 1. Inadequate water intake - Horses need at least 8 gallons of water a day. Depending on his diet, exercise level and how hot it is, it could be considerably more. Tips For Reducing Episodes 1. Make all feed changes gradually. 2. Don’t feed on sand. 3. De-worm regularly. 4. Do more frequent, small feedings. 5. Minimize carbohydrates. (horses are best adapted to eat grass and hay) 6. Supply plenty of fresh water and provide salt blocks. 7. In cold weather, offer warm water. 8. Provide regular exercise. 9. Check on your horse at least twice a day. 10. Have their teeth checked or floated at least twice a year. Even when you stick to a regular horse care routine, sometimes your horse will still have this problem. All you can do is be prepared and know what to do when it happens. Mild cases can usually be fixed by simply walking your horse. This will cause the gut to move and the bowels to move as well. Normally after a bowel movement, the pressure is relieved. More severe cases will require medical treatment. Always consult your vet when you suspect an episode coming on.
Be prepared for a horse emergency. Get your veterinarian-approved Colic Preparedness Report Leave colic and return to homepage Search Table Of Contents
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