Care and Knowledge
Care and Knowledge
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 -
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:
2. Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage.
3.
Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-
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-
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-
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.
Little Hawk Farm All Rights Reserved 2012