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:
Establish a daily
routine – include feeding and exercise schedules – and stick
to it.
Feed a high quality
diet comprised primarily of roughage.
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.)
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.
Set up a regular parasite
control program with the help of your equine practitioner.
Provide exercise and/or
turnout on a daily basis. Change the intensity and duration of an
exercise regimen gradually.
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.)
Avoid putting feed
on the ground, especially in sandy soils.
Check hay, bedding,
pasture, and environment for potentially toxic substances, such
as blister beetles, noxious weeds, and other ingestible foreign matter.
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, email
us to request a copy of
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.