10 Tips for Preventing Colic
The number one killer of horses is colic. Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.
While horses seem predisposed to colic due
to the anatomy and function of their digestive
tracts, management can play a key role in
prevention. Although not every case is avoidable,
the following guidelines from the American
Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
can maximize the horse’s health and
reduce the risk of colic:
1. Establish a daily routine – include
feeding and exercise schedules – and
stick to it.
2. Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily
of roughage.
3. Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense
supplements. (At least half the horse’s
energy should be supplied through hay or forage.
A better guide is that twice as much energy
should be supplied from a roughage source
than from concentrates.)
4. Divide daily concentrate rations into two
or more smaller feedings rather than one large
one to avoid overloading the horse’s
digestive tract. Hay is best fed free-choice.
5. Set up a regular parasite control program
with the help of your equine practitioner.
6. Provide exercise and/or turnout on a daily
basis. Change the intensity and duration of
an exercise regimen gradually.
7. Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
(The only exception is when the horse is excessively
hot, and then it should be given small sips
of luke-warm water until it has recovered.)
8. Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially
in sandy soils.
9. Check hay, bedding, pasture, and environment
for potentially toxic substances, such as
blister beetles, noxious weeds, and other
ingestible foreign matter.
10. Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes
in environment or workloads are at high risk
of intestinal dysfunction. Pay special attention
to horses when transporting them or changing
their surroundings, such as at shows.
Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic.
Age, sex, and breed differences in susceptibility
seem to be relatively minor. The type of colic
seen appears to relate to geographic or regional
differences, probably due to environmental
factors such as sandy soil or climatic stress.
Importantly, what this tells us is that, with
conscientious care and management, we have
the potential to reduce and control colic,
the number one killer of horses.
For more information about colic prevention
and treatment, ask your equine veterinarian
for the “Colic” brochure, provided
by the American Association of Equine Practitioners
in partnership with Educational Partner Bayer
Animal Health. Additional colic information
is available by visiting the AAEP’s
horse health web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Reprinted with permission from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
