The most common winter health hazard for
horses
Equine colic, or horse colic, is abdominal
pain ie pain in the 'gut'.
Symptoms of colic
The symptoms of serious colic - you should call your vet immediately
- are: groaning or rolling, shallow breathing, sweating and swelling
of the abdomen. Mild colic symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite,
fewer droppings and stomach ache, the horse showing the latter symptom
by pawing the ground with anxiety, kicking its belly or examining
its flanks.
Why is colic so common? Why are horses
predisposed to colic?
A horse's intestine is long and can become tangled easily. The digestive
process involves the production of gas through fermentation, and gas
can fill loops in the intestine which if then tangled causes a blockage.
Unlike humans the horse can't vomit to rid itself of unsuitable material.
As a grazing animal a horse is used to a gentle, regular feeding pattern
throughout the year, getting fat when suitable pasture is abundant,
getting thin when it isn't. As a quick moving animal with lots of
stamina a horse can travel long distances to find the necessary diet
variety it needs to thrive.
Causes of colic
Irregular exercise and feeding pattern
Lack of water
Sudden diet change
Too much intense exercise
Low grazing
Too much feed concentrate or unsoaked
sugar beet
Stress
Sandy soil causing constipation/blockages
Previous abdominal surgery
Too much water and /or food after exercise
Gas
build up from eating grass cuttings
Lifestyle and Colic Risk
There is an increased risk of colic if you have a full time job,
a hectic social round, a DIY stable environment and don't have sufficient
hired help to maintain a high level of care, especially during the
winter. There is also increased risk of colic if the grazing is overcrowded
or available less than 8 hours a day, horse droppings rarely removed
and lack of sufficient grazing compensated by various forms of feed
concentrate; or if exercise is also limited during the week and concentrated
on week-ends .
What to do if you think it is serious colic
Whilst waiting for your vet to arrive - or give initial advice over
the phone - here are some tips:
Keep your horse stabled with lots of bedding,
and keep calm!
Should the horse be lying down remove anything
which might harm it if were to roll.
If the horse does try to roll violently try
moving it to a field without fences and ditches.
Don't offer food.
Don't give colic drenches - they might go
down the wrong way.
Prevention of colic
Fresh Water - make sure there is plenty available, and that
it is not liable to freeze. You may have
to invest in a trough heater or arrange to break the ice regularly.
Remember, winter roughages generally contain less than 20% moisture
whereas summer and spring grass contains 75% or more. Without sufficient
liquid the food being processed becomes dry and prohibits easy bowel
movement ie peristaltic action. Don't, however, give a horse anything
but small amounts of warm water after it gets overheated
Routine - have a regular exercise and
feeding schedule.
Feed your horse mainly roughage and
only a little grain or energy-rich supplement and divide the daily
feed in to two or more rations. Twice as much energy should come from
the hay or forage than from supplements.
Don't put hay or other feedstuffs on the
ground, especially where the soil is sandy; and check regularly
for twine, plastic bags and other human detritus which might be ingested
by your horse.
Worming - have a regular programme.
Keep stress to a minimum by eliminating
the need for transportation or shows.
Proneness to constipation. In consultation
with you vet, use Psyllium Husks regularly in the feed.
Stephen Ashdown's
Free Vet Advice Helpline: 01243 773363
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