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“Colic” is the broad term we use to define abdominal pain in our patients. Abdominal pain can be caused from a variety of ailments, although it is commonly due to gastrointestinal disease of some degree. Colic can, however, refer to diseases not affecting the gastrointestinal tract such as urinary tract stone(s), choke, uterine torsion, laminitis, tying up or rhabdomyolysis, pleuropneumonia, and reproductive causes (dystocia, abortion).\u00a0Significant advances have been made in regard to diagnosis, medical treatment, surgical techniques and postoperative care in horses. In spite of all these advances equine veterinary medicine has made in the last decade, colic unfortunately, has remained the leading cause of premature death in our adult horse population.<\/p>\n
Signs your horse may be colicing:<\/p>\n
Research has shown that a large portion of our colics are a\u00a0result of feeding and care\u00a0practices. As a result, some of our colics can be prevented\u00a0with proper management.<\/p>\n
Ways to Reduce the Risk of Colic<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A typical\u00a0horse at rest in a moderate environment will drink anywhere from 8\u00a0to 12 gallons of water a day. The need for water will increase with an increase in ambient temperature, humidity, activity and\/or a change in physiological condition such as exercise or lactation. Horses have been shown to prefer to drink out of buckets compared to automatic waterers. Horses prefer warm water in the winter as opposed to cold water. Adding hot water to the buckets to achieve a more tepid temperature in cold weather is desirable. Horses without water for as little as 1-2 hours, are at an\u00a0increased risk of colic.<\/p>\n Most mature horses should be fed 1.5 to 2.5% of their body weight in forages each day. Hay\u00a0should be provided in tubs or hay racks to\u00a0minimize the horse eating directly off the ground where it would potentially consume sand. Rubber mats or catch pans can be placed underneath racks to enable horses to finish hay\u00a0without getting sand. Hay should not be elevated too high as it creates the possibility for respiratory disease and can increases intake of molds and dust.\u00a0Feeding from round bales increased the risk of colic. Feeding coastal hay increases the risk of colic due to the association with ileal impactions and coastal bermuda grass.<\/p>\n A horse\u2019s natural diet is made up of strictly forage, yet because of the performance demands put on today\u2019s horses, they are often fed processed grains and sweet feeds that are high in carbohydrates.\u00a0Horses eating pelleted feeds and sweet feeds are at increased risk for colic compared to horses on a 100% hay diet. Colic risk can increase 70% for each pound increase in whole grain or corn fed in some studies. When more energy than can be supplied via forages is needed and concentrate diets are fed the risk of colic increases. Recent research has shown that diets that are lower in starch and higher in fat are healthier for most horses. Various feeds are available to meet the individual needs of the horse. Try and feed smaller but more frequent meals, this allows starches to digest before reaching the equine hindgut, preventing minimizing hindgut acidosis. Automatic feeders such as the iFEED are excellent choices when concentrates are required.<\/p>\n Strict attention to establishing a daily routine for your horse is very important in minimizing the risk for colic.\u00a0Colic risk increases during the two weeks that follow changes. Changing the batch of hay can increase the risk of colic. Make only gradual changes in diet, turnout, and exercise whenever possible. To make changes in feed, mix \u00bc new with \u00be old for about seven days, then increase the percent of new feed to\u00a0\u00bd new and \u00bd old for 7 days, then gradually increase the remaining new to old ratio over the next week. Changes in intensity and duration of exercise should be made slowly if possible. Try and provide exercise and\/or turnout daily. Horses that have access to pastures have been shown to have a lower colic risk than those without pasture access. If your horse is on stall rest for management or\u00a0medicals reasons, daily hand walking is usually allowed although it is good to consult\u00a0your veterinarian.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Horse’s teeth erupt continually through\u00a0their lifetime, they are constantly being worn down by the grinding action associated with chewing of feedstuffs, especially forages. Over time sharp points will form on the upper and lower teeth as they are just slightly offset.\u00a0If not filed down or “floated,” the points on the teeth can cause lacerations on the inside of the cheek, this in turn can cause pain and interfere with how the feed is chewed. Routine floating\u00a0ensures the horse’s\u00a0ability to properly and thoroughly chew hay and concentrates.<\/p>\n1. \u00a0Always have fresh, clean water available<\/h3>\n
2. \u00a0Feed high quality roughage<\/h3>\n
3. \u00a0Minimize concentrates and feed in smaller frequent meals<\/h3>\n
4.\u00a0Establish a strict daily feeding, exercise and turnout routine<\/h3>\n
5. Float horses teeth annual or biannual<\/h3>\n
6. Parasite control<\/h3>\n