When horses get colic there is no mistaking that they are in pain.
Regardless of the cause, symptoms of colic, which is defined as abdominal pain, are remarkably similar. In general, the more severe the pain, the more severe the colic.
Severity of the pain depends on the duration and specific type of disease, the temperament of the horse and the medications that have been used.
In the early signs of abdominal pain, a horse might exhibit certain behaviour, such as playing in the water, curling its upper lip, lying down, refusing to eat, biting at its flanks and looking at its abdomen.
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These subtle signs are soon replaced with moderate signs of pain, such as pawing, attempting to lie down because of cramping, stretching out with attempts to urinate, kicking at the abdomen and rolling.
Horses in severe pain will throw themselves on the ground, sweat, roll violently and continuously paw or move.
One third of all horse deaths covered by insurance companies are caused by colic.
The horse’s intense prolonged suffering, the usual late-night timing of the attacks, and the expense and uncertainty of the outcome combine to make this an emotionally charged event.
Recent research, observation and an understanding of the horse provide guidelines that can make colic prevention easy and virtually cost free.
Horses are trickle feeders, not meal feeders.
To fit their own lifestyle, many owners feed their horses twice a day. But horses in their natural state nibble throughout the day, often for more than 17 hours. Their stomachs are never empty
or full.
Continuous access to good quality pasture or grass hay is key to a healthy horse.
Avoid the extras in feeding horses. Keep it simple and have the horses eat as close to the sun as possible – food with the least processing. Horses were not intended to eat small square things or pellets.
Grain feeding should be kept to a minimum of one to 1.5 kilogram increments.
Horses also need exercise. Like cement trucks, they need to keep moving to keep things smooth.
The intestinal tract is a muscular tube and like a muscle, it functions best with movement.
Make sure that a source of fresh water is available. Water is essential for normal digestive function and the entire contents of the intestinal tract flow from the mouth to the rectum using water as their vehicle.
At one time, the most common culprit of colic was parasites, but with the advent of superior dewormers, this is no longer the case.
Judicious use of dewormers is strongly recommended.
Good dental health is paramount to good digestive function because teeth are the first stage of digestion. Efficient chewing is capitalized on throughout the entire tract.
Not every horse needs dentistry, but every horse benefits from a thorough, competent dental
evaluation.
Stressful events may trigger a colic episode. It pays to minimize transport stress, dietary changes, medication use, heat exertion and lifestyle changes.
A horse that is stressed on the outside is stressed on the inside. Colic is the symptom, not the cause.
Carol Shwetz is a veterinarian practising in Westlock, Alta.
