Colic is the most commonly occuring serious horse illness, affecting at least 1 in 10 horses each year. It is the single biggest cause of premature horse death and also the most frequent source of major veterinary bills. In addition, it can cause other serious illnesses, such as laminitis or founder.

Colic is not a single illness but rather a group of related illnesses affecting the digestive system. As such, there are many different types of horse colic and various different causes. Extensive research, covering thousands of case studies, has identified the main causes of the various types of colic. Following is a list of actions to avoid the primary causes of colic and thereby greatly reduce the risk of your horse developing colic.

1) Frequent Feedings. Horses have evolved to graze throughout the day. The more frequently they eat, the healthier their digestive system.

2) High-Volume Foods. Horses have evolved on high-volume and high-fiber foods such as grass. Although one can feed energy-dense foods such as grain or musli, they should not be the main component of the horse's diet. When feeding both hay and grain, the hay should be first and then the grain, as this results in better digestion and reduced bolting of food.

3) Soak Pellets. Pelleted food (e.g. hay pellets) should be soaked before feeding. This prevents bolting and choke. In addition, unsoaked pellets can greatly expand when they enter the stomach, resulting in bloating.

4) Secure the Feedroom. The feedroom should be locked or have a horse-proof latch to prevent horses from getting in and gorging themselves. Excessive feeding, especially on grain and similar foods, can result in colic. It can also cause laminitis or founder.

5) Prevent Bolting. A horse may bolt (swallow without chewing) its food, potentially resulting in colic. This may be simply greed or a bad habit, but can also be due to medical issues such as dental problems. If your horse bolts, discuss with your vet how to correct this problem.

6) Sand and Dirt. Make sure that your horse does not ingest sand or dirt, as this can result in impaction colic. Do not feed them on top of sandy or dirt surfaces. Avoid over-grazed pastures.

6) Water. A horse which does not drink enough is prone to colic. Likewise, a horse that has not had access to water and then suddenly drinks a very large quantity. Ensure that your horse has access to water throughout the day. During winter, water should be warmed, as most horses will greatly reduce their water intake if it is too cold. After exercising a horse, allow it to drink but limit the quantity until it has cooled down.

7) De-worming. Horses should be de-wormed regularly (every 3-4 months). All the horses which share a pasture should be de-wormed at the same time to prevent cross-infection. If a horse has not been de-wormed for a long time, use a laxative a few days before to clear out the worst of the worm population before administrating a de-wormer medication.
Exercise. Horses which receive regular moderate exercise are less likely to develop colic. In particular, access to a large pasture during the day provides useful exercise. If starting or changing an exercise regime, changes should be gradual as rapid increases in the duration or intensity of exercise can result in colic.

9) Eating Bedding. Many horses eat bedding, particularly straw bedding. If your horse ingests a large amount of bedding, especially inedible beddings (such as wood shavings), change to a bedding type which they don't eat.

10) Temperature. A horse that becomes chilled is likely to develop colic. This is particularly true if there is a sudden drop in temperature. If a horse is likely to be chilled (e.g. old, weak, sick, shaved, short coat, unaccustomed to cold) then they need to be protected during extreme weather. The use of a rug should be considered. During extremely cold weather, especially if wet and windy, it may be adviseable to confine weaker horses to their stables.

Dr. Doug Stewart is the author of Horse Colilc, which examines the causes and prevention of horse colic. He also writes on other Horse Health issues.

categories: horse,horses,equine,colic,horse colic

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Preventing Colic in Horses List Price: $24.95 Sale Price: $40.29 Used From: $28.32

This is an educational book for horse owners, trainers, and farm/barn managers, aimed at reducing the incidence of colic in horses. Chapter 1 discusses the signs of colic, the horse's digestive system, and the possible sources of colic pain; Chapter 2 discusses risk factors for colic, or the things that increase the potential for colic to occur; Chapter 3 discusses simple management strategies for preventing colic, including prevention of specific types of colic; and Chapter 4 discusses how to manage an episode of colic in order to help prevent a disastrous outcome.

	Baby's Bliss Gripe Water, Liquid, 4-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2) List Price: $23.98 Sale Price: $15.51
Pediatrician recommended. Preservative free! Baby's Bliss GripeWater is a highly effective, herbal supplement used to ease the gas and stomach discomfort often associated with colic, hiccups and teething...

Written by Doug Stewart using tags: colic, equine, horse, horse colic, horses, Pets