Horse Colic – Something Every Horse Owner Should Know More About!
August 17th, 2008 | by citizen.S | Print & Hang in the Barn
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Colic is one of the many horse wonders and is something every horse owner should think about even if their horse has never had a colic episode. Colic can happen and does happen when least expected.
Colic is definitely on the top of the list for health risks to horses, and being prepared to care for a horse that is colicing is essential. There are a multitude of preventative measures to take in order to reduce the risk of colic. Though more times than not, there are underlying reasons for colic, but in times “mystery” colic may occur while horses are away from their owner (boarding/training).
Preventing Colic:
- Parasite Control – a solid parasite control program is too often overlooked by many horse owners and even more barn managers. Working with a veterinarian can be very helpful. Horse owners can always take precaution by keeping equines on a good de-worming program, though it may not do much good if the rest of the barn horses are full of parasites.
There are many good de-wormers out there, but following a de-worming schedule is imperative. If the barn you board at leaves it up to horse owners to de-worm their horses, ask them how they know if the horses are getting de-wormed?
Also, don’t forget to keep track of your de-worming schedule, and getting a fecal test for parasites once a year doesn’t hurt to know how your de-worming program is working.
Dental Care – proper dental intervention is also another colic preventative. A veterinarian should see most horses a minimum of two times per year for vaccinations. During those visits, the horse’s teeth should be checked for sharp points and “floated” by the veterinarian or equine dentist if needed. Do not let horses go more than a year without having their teeth checked by a veterinarian. Sharp teeth can lead to improper eating (or not at all), an proper digestion (along with a steady diet) are essential to colic preventions.
Feeding & Diet – as just mentioned, a good, regular, feeding routine is paramount for horse health and colic prevention. Same time, same feed, everyday. Some horses are incredibly sensitive to having feed times changed, even minimally.
If changing feed, do it gradually. This goes for hay AND grain. If you are feeding your own horse, don’t wait until you run out of hay or grain to make a run to the feed store for more. They could be out of your brand and type of hay. Make sure you have enough “reserve” feed to make a gradual switch if need be.
Cribbing – cribbing or windsucking can cause gas-colic from swallowed air. If you have a cribber or a windsucker, do what you can to eliminate their ability to crib or windsuck. The more the horse does this, the more prone they are to colic.
Sand – Horses who eat of the ground in sandy regions of the world can actually build up sand in their guts, causing impaction. There are plenty of sand-colic prevention supplements to be fed between once a year or even daily. Local vetrinarians are the best sort of sand-colic prevention info.
On sand-colic, there is nothing worse than a horse colicing from something very preventable.
Prevention is the best “cure” for colic.
If a horse undergoes a colic episode, the decision to put a horse through colic surgery can also be difficult. If without horse health insurance or not aren’t participating in a previnticare program, financially, colic surgery may not be viable for the average horse owner. Even if finances aren’t a question, colic surgery and recovery can be absolutely miserable for the horse.
Regardless, colic prevention should be top of mind for all equine owners. If new to horses and still not understanding what horse colic is, PLEASE READ UP!
Tags: colic
9 Responses to “Horse Colic – Something Every Horse Owner Should Know More About!”
By Kay on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
I once had a horse that colicked very easily. I put him on daily wormer and that helped a lot. Also, he was limited to low-protein feed sources–no alfalfa, no sweet feed. He ate grass hay, rice bran and dry cob along with a multitude of supplements. I did hunters and equitation for 4 years with him and he hauled all over the western seaboard. We would carry banamine to all shows and he would get ace on the first day we arrived at a show–we always had to arrive early enough so that the ace would leave his system by the time we started our first class. He was very attached to me so I used to sleep in his stall the first night whenever we went away from home. He never needed colic surgery. Prevention is really the key. Also, something this article left out–people need to PROPERLY COOL DOWN their horses after a workout. No food or water until the chest is cool to the touch and the horse is breathing normally. I know it can be a pain to have to walk and walk when you just want to get off and get on with your day, but it can prevent a lot of problems. If a horse is really dehydrated, allow only 2-3 gulps of water every 10 minutes until fully cooled. Most of the time, no water until cool is the best option but, if you do endurance or competitive trail or event cross country, you can’t deny them water after they finish so letting them have a few gulps is fine. non-endurance sports horses are less prone to work-related dehydration because they aren’t required to work at top capacity for more than 6 minutes at a time at most.
By Cara on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
My first horse Friday, died from colicing. He was not terribly old either he was 18 had never coliced in the 8 1/2 years I had him was never sick a day! I was a careful owner, yet not over bearing either. I had all the health issues taken care of on schedule every year or 6 months etc… I did a report when i was a senior in high school on cribbing, this was a project that was required if not done well or at all i would not of graduated. What i discovered in my research was that horses who crib only swallow 1/3 of the air that they take in, the sound made when they inhale most of that air is coming back out when they stop. Cribbing has less to do with Gas colic then people think. This was a good article though, I think more people should watch for colic and know what to do when it happens. I was at work the day my horse coliced, it was december, cold, and raining that day. He was in all day, none of the boarders who were there that day thought it was odd that my horse whom never laid down was flat out in his stall in the middle of the day. I didnt find that out until 6 months after he passed away either I was furious when i did find out. There was no option but surgery for him and he only had a 20% chance of making it through surgery, I decided that I loved him too much to put him through that much pain and suffering to die. I hope people read this and do some research on their own as well! A+ on this one!
By Bonnie on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
I have had my fair share of colicy horses. Two that went into surgery, only one that made it out of surgery. The horse that made it through the colic surgery, had a really bad colic episode a month after surgery and I decided to put her down. She went through so much I didn’t want to see her go through anymore.
One of my horses that had colic surgery had an impaction, never coliced before (had him for 7 years). It was a large intestine impaction, we think he may have been colicing for several days, just very mildly. The primary cause was, we think, a combination of a change of hay, and we had bad weather and he had been stall bound for a week. He was used to all day turn out and getting regular exercise. I was dealing with some family “issues” and wasn’t planning on being at the barn for about two weeks. Put the horse in “training” so he would continue to get worked. I’m told he didn’t get out of his stall once, plus he wasn’t getting turned out AND they changed hay abruptly. The barn called when the vet was out tubing him and the vet told me to get him to surgery. He didn’t make it through surgery. It was very sad.
My mare that had surgery ended up having an impaction in her small intestine. The cause was never figured out, but there was severe inflamation and damaged intestine. They took some out and she struggled in her recovery. When she coliced again, I just didn’t see putting her through any more pain. She was a sensitive mare and I think she had ulcers too, but we never did look into that. That was many moons ago.
As far as letting a horse cool before giving water or food; I have had much different experience AND advice than you, Kay.
My veterinarians have always told me water is fine, as long as it isn’t too cold and as long as they don’t consume too much. No matter how hot they are, they should be allowed to drink water if they want to. Just monitor temperature and quantity. Too cold can result in founder (I’m told).
Feed is another story. However, I have seen MANY horses fed when they are too hot and never seen them colic. I did know a horse that foundered after consuming a large quantity of corn when they were hot, but I think they would have foundered if they were cool because of the amount of corn the horse ate.
From what I’m told, there is no “proof” of colic associated with a hot or uncooled horse. However, if you have a horse that easily colics, that would be preventative measure to take. But, if you have a horse that easily colics, there are probably many other things going on with that horses health.
Another myth that a few vets have cleared up for me is feeding before working. Hay and other fiber is fine, but grain should be limited for at least a half hour before a work out. I guess it’s the same as a swimmers cramp.
Anyhow, I like that the UK has this website. It’s interesting and very good information for every horse owner.
By Bonnie on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
Cara - I think we posted comments at the exact same time LOL!
I’m sorry to hear about your horse Friday. Good for you though, for not putting him through surgery. I have to say, after the two I put through surgery, I would need a 90%+ chance of recovery. It is really sad to see them not make it on the table and even worse to see them go through the difficult recovery process and colic again.
QUALITY OF LIFE IS VERY IMPORTANT!
I agree, great article!!
By Kay on Aug 18, 2008 | Reply
wait–how does water temperature cause founder? I don’t see the connection. the temperature of the water should already equal body temperature by the time it hits the stomach. I want to see the research on that. I’ve never seen a horse colic from drinking after a hard workout but every horse book I’ve read says to cool a horse before allowing them water. Also, 90% of trainers and vets I’ve known say the same thing. Anatomically, it makes sense. The parasympathetic nervous system cannot work at the same time as the sympathetic nervous system. Since the parasympathetic nervous system is required for digestion and the sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and respiration during a workout, it would make sense that digestion cannot occur until the horse is cool enough for the parasympathetic nervous system to take over. The reason why cool water is appealing to both humans and horses is because water passes over the hypothalamus at the back of the throat on the way to the esophagus. This is very close to the hypothalamus, which controls body temperature. By passing cool water over the hypothalamus, it creates a cooling effect on the body, which is pleasant to an overheated animal. However, all temperatures of water have the same effect on hydration.
Anyway, I would really like to see the articles that say allowing a horse to drink while overheated is perfectly acceptable. can I get a link or maybe some book titles? Like I said, it flies in the face of everything I’ve been told. I’m interested.
By Bonnie on Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
Kay -
An article written by the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners)under causes “Consumption of cold water by an overheated horse”
http://www.thalequine.com/Articles/Laminitis.pdf
I’m in meetings all day, so I will find you research on allowing horses access to water for your peace of mind as well.
By Kay on Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
thanks! I’ll go read it now!
By Kay on Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
I read the article and it does state that giving cold water to an overheated horse can cause laminitis, but it doesn’t expand on that. The AAEP is a respectable organization, and I’m surprised to have read an article by them with such little detail. I am really interested in the internal mechanisms within the horse’s body that substantiate the claim that cold water can lead to founder. Also, the article is about laminitis and not colic–which is the topic I am most interested in. I am looking forward to reading the other articles! thanks again!
By Courtney on Sep 12, 2008 | Reply
I read that small amounts of grain are recommened over eating a haybag full of hay (between showing)as the latter is higher in fiber and can cause bloat. Sure, their digestive systems are much different than ours but compare to an athlete working out- what food should be consumed to fuel energy? A protein/carb or a high-fiber substance? The higher fiber gives feeling of fullness- not something you want before heading into the jumper ring or off on x-c.