Colic in Horses

Colic is one of the most common horse conditions for which you will need to call your Veterinarian. Colic is not a disease. It is a clinical sign of many possible diseases. Increasing your knowledge of this common condition of horses could save your horse’s life.

Colic means literally a pain in the abdomen. When a horse "colics," this means that the horse is acting painful and it appears that the pain is coming from the abdomen.

Horse colic can vary greatly in severity. Some colics will go away with just taking your horse for a walk, but other forms of colic will require surgery and can be life threatening. So if you think your horse has colic you should contact your Veterinarian immediately.

There are many possible causes of colic. One possible cause of colic could be from changing its diet. The diet could be too high in grain or maybe there is moldy hay in the feed. Another possible cause is when a segment of the horse's intestine twists in the abdomen. This happens quite frequently in horses. Generally your Veterinarian can diagnose this by ultrasound, palpation, or by use of a stethoscope. To cure this type of colic, surgery is often required. This means you have to take your horse to the Veterinary hospital. Colic surgery in horses is very expensive costing $2,000 at a minimum. In addition the hospitalization is rather extensive and expensive too.

Some common treatments for mild colics could include products that relieve the pain like analgesics such as Banamine or Aspirin. Also, mineral oil is used sometimes if it is thought that extra lubrication in the intestines would help the pain pass. Sometimes in severe cases, intestines can rupture which usually leads to death. But, with proper feeding and care you can prevent most cases of colic.

Usually when calling your Veterinarian about your horse having colic, they will advise you NOT to let your horse try to lie down and roll over. If they are in pain, many horses will try and lay down and roll around on the ground trying to relieve the pain. It is important to prevent this, as a horse can do even more damage to themselves rolling around while in this condition.

A secondary problem often overlooked when a horse has colic is that lameness could develop. This is a disease of the feet which is also a very common problem of horses.

If you think your horse has colic you should contact your Veterinarian immediately, even if it's late at night. When your horse has colic, minutes and hours count toward finding a resolution to the problem.

Another important thing to be aware of, is that some horses are more prone to colic than others. This is a question you should ask a horse owner if you are thinking about buying their horse.

By becoming aware of the common disease conditions in horses you can catch them earlier and provide relief earlier. If you have more questions on colic, contact your Veterinarian.

Until next time,

Teia

Feeding Your New Horse

After paying stabling fees for your horse, feeding him is probably your next greatest cost. It is important to feed a balanced ration to keep your horse healthy and happy. Many companies try to sell fancy supplements, but it all comes down to the basics.

Horses are hind gut fermenters, meaning their basic need is for forages. Forages are provided to horses in the form of hay. As a general guideline, horses should be fed one to two pounds of hay for every 100 pounds of body weight. This amount can vary greatly depending on the activity level of your horse. The hay should be of high quality, free of mold and other debris. If your horse is involved in sporting events such as barrel racing, harness racing, steeplechase or flat track racing, you may want to feed a high protein supplement, but before doing so, check with your veterinarian.

Pastures can be another source of forage for your horse. A high quality pasture could provide for almost all of your horse's nutritional needs. About one to two acres of pasture is required for each horse.

Additional grain is necessary for growing horses and horses who exercise or perform, as stated above. Grain is usually provided in the form of crushed oats or corn with molasses. Grain is usually fed twice daily. The amount of grain should be carefully regulated so you don't upset the digestive tract of your horse. This is particularly important if your horse has not been eating a grain diet for a while. For example if your horse was in a pasture for the summer and is now being moved into the stables for the winter be careful about the amount of grain you feed him. A call to a veterinarian that is familiar with your horse should elicit the information you need.

Nutritional supplements can be offered in the form of free choice mineral blocks and salt blocks placed in the stall or pasture. Many companies try to sell fancy supplements for horses. The majority of these are not necessary and are a waste of money. Most horses can receive all the nutrition they need through a high quality forage diet. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

As with all animals, horses require access to fresh clean water at all times. The source of water should not be next to the hay feeder or it could become full of hay, which would prevent your horse from gaining access to the drinking water.

Some horses can have certain medical problems and need to be fed in a certain way. Also, some horses have allergies, similar to people, to hay or dust. These horses cannot have hay or be exposed to dust. So to provide forage to these horses, they need to eat fresh grass. Other horses may suffer from colic when given grain or other treats. These horses should be kept on a strict diet of forages.

By taking the time to provide your horse with a nutritious diet, you are ensuring that he will have a healthy life. Also, by providing a complete diet, you will save money by having fewer medical and veterinary bills.

Until next time,

Teia