♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
What Horse and Pony Owners Need to Know About Colic
Colic can be frightening because it seems to occur to an otherwise healthy horse for no apparent reason. At the onset, you won't know if you are dealing with a mild bellyache or a life threatening condition. Horses and ponies who are well cared for with the best quality feed, fresh water and lots of outdoor time are less likely to colic.
But even with the best care, horses colic. Find out what you need to know to prevent colic and what to do if colic strikes your horse.
What is Horse Colic?
Spasmodic Colic
Spasmodic colic is an indication of spasms of muscles in the abdomen. This form of colic can abate on its own or may be treated with anti-spasmodic drugs. There are many different reasons why horses have spasmodic colic.
Impaction Colic
Impaction colic is caused by a blockage in the intestine.
Gaseous Distention (Tympany)
Gases that build up in front of an impaction may cause painful gaseous distention. Gaseous distention can also be caused by the fermentation of feed in the stomach if the horse has gorged itself.
Intestinal Catastrophe
Intestines can twist, telescope or become twisted around the tissue that attaches them to the abdominal cavity. This will cause violent colic symptoms. The blood flow in the intestine becomes obstructed.
This is the most serious form of colic and causes intense pain. Often the only remedy is surgery, which is costly and sometimes unsuccessful.
What Causes Colic?
Changes in feed, an accumulation of sand in the caecum, and ingesting fungus or foreign objects can all trigger colic symptoms. Some owners claim nervous horses that experience a change in management or senior horses in response to rapid air pressure changes may develop spasmodic colic. (No conclusive clinical information supports this claim.)
Impaction colic can happen during the winter months when horses or ponies are fed hay and have only frigid water to drink. The combination of dry feed and dehydration can be disastrous. Because the horses don't drink enough water the food forms an obstruction in the intestine. A horse that eats its bedding or accidentally gorges on grain can suffer from impaction colic. (Over eating grain or fruit can also cause laminitis or 'founder'.)
Parasite damage or kidney stones may also cause colic symptoms.
Colic can be caused by too much food eaten too quickly, or drinking a large amount of cold water. But any horse, regardless of age or temperament can have a bout of colic and often the root cause goes undiscovered.
Twisted intestines and telescoped sections of intestines occur and the cause is unclear.
How Do I Know My Horse Has Colic?
Visual Signs
* Pawing
* Biting at Flanks
* Restlessness/Pacing
* Apathy
* Sweating
* Standing stretched.
* Kicking at its abdomen.
* Substantially less or no manure produced.
* Rolling (If a horse is rolling to scratch himself, he will roll and perhaps rub his neck and head back and forth to give himself a good massage. He will then get up and have a good shake to get rid of the dust. If the horse has colic he will roll repeatedly and stand listless, looking uncomfortable, without shaking his body and head and often get down to roll again. If the horse is in extreme pain the rolling may be violent.)
Changes in Vital Signs:
Familiarize yourself with your horse's or pony's healthy vital signs before problems begin.
* Elevated pulse-the average is 27 and 43 beats per minute.
* Elevated temperature-the average is 98F to 100F.
* Elevated or depressed respiration-the average is 8 to 16 times per minute.
How Can I Prevent Colic?
* Introduce or change feeds gradually.
* Introduce horses to lush pasture very gradually.
* Provide clean fresh drinking water at all times. In the winter, horses can not eat enough snow to stay hydrated and may not drink enough icy water from a trough or pond. A stock tank heater will keep water from freezing.
* If your horse eats straw, consider using shavings for bedding.
* Clean up windfall apples and other fruit out of pastures. A few apples a day is okay. Too many can cause colic.
* Keep your horses on a regular de-worming schedule to avoid parasite damage.
* After or during heavy workouts allow your horse to take frequent small sips of water. You can estimate how much water your horse is drinking by counting the gulps. Get to know how many times he swallows while drinking a measured amount of water i.e.
a 5 gallon bucket. You'll be able to estimate how much he is drinking at one time.
* Keep a regular feeding routine.
* Allow plenty of outdoor pasture time.
* Provide plenty of good quality fodder. Horses have very small stomachs and need to eat frequent small meals.
* Have your horse's teeth checked by an equine dentist or veterinarian. Improperly ground food can cause impactions.
* Always keep your veterinarians phone number in a prominent place beside your phone. Have your horse's teeth checked by an equine dentist or veterinarian. Improperly ground food may contribute to impactions.
* Always keep your veterinarians phone number in a prominent place beside your phone.
What Do I Do If My Horse Colics?
Assess
Assess the severity of the colic. If your horse has mild colic, perhaps looks uncomfortable, is biting at his flanks and stands stretched observe him to see if the colic abates after about 30 minutes time. Remove all edibles (including bedding) from the stall.
Try Walking and Trotting
As long as the horse is calm, you could try doing ‘belly lifts’ and hand walking or longing. A few minutes of trotting may help, but only for a few minutes. Don’t tire him out. If he starts to feel better, offer a tiny bit of grain. If he eats he may be over his bout, but keep a close eye on him for several hours afterwards.
After 30 Minutes
If mild colic symptoms haven’t abated after about a half hour’s time call your veterinarian. Write down any changes in feed, drugs or de-wormers administered, changes in routine, or anything else that you can remember that might have triggered the colic episode.
Take note of the amount of manure he has produced. This may make it easier to diagnose the cause of the colic and speed treatment.
If your horse seems shaky, and isn’t rolling violently, drape him with warm blankets.
Severe Colic
Safety First
If the horse is thrashing violently look out for your own safety first. Your instincts will be to try to calm your horse, but a horse in extreme pain can be oblivious to everything—even a familiar and respected handler. Call the veterinarian immediately.
It has long been thought that rolling and thrashing violently may cause a twisted gut. But whether this is true or not has not been established. Try to keep your horse on his feet. Traditional colic care is to walk your horse, but if he is already tired from thrashing and rolling, walking may only add to his fatigue. Your horse will be okay standing, or just lying still for a short time. It may be nearly impossible (and dangerous) to stop a horse from rolling. Move him to a place where he is less likely to hurt himself or get cast if possible.
Use Medications with Caution
If you keep prescription drugs like muscle relaxants for spasmodic colic in your first aid box use them with extreme caution. Treating a horse incorrectly may cause more harm than good. With colic caused by a twisted or telescoped gut, a speedy diagnosis is imperative. Don’t give your horse anything that may mask symptoms.
What Will the Veterinarian do for My Horse With Colic?
Your veterinarian will want to give your horse or pony a thorough examination to ascertain the type of colic and what might have caused it.
A. The first thing your vet will do is check your horse's pulse, respiration and temperature. With a stethoscope the vet will listen to the abdomen for the rumblings of a normal healthy digestive system. He or she will check mucous membranes and do a 'pinch test' to find out if the horse is suffering from dehydration.
A nasal tube may be put through your horse's nostril and down it's esophagus to check for fluids in the stomach. The vet will also do a manual rectal examination. Any distensions, twists or other abnormalities may be felt deep within the abdominal cavity.
If the veterinarian suspects:
* spasmodic colic an anti spasmodic drug may be administered.
* impaction colic due to a blockage the veterinarian may tube oil or fluid through the nostrils and rectum in an effort to dislodge it.
* intestinal catastrophe such as a twisted intestine he or she will suggest various options including surgery and euthanasia.
Colic can be frightening because it seems to occur to an otherwise healthy horse for no apparent reason. At the onset, you won't know if you are dealing with a mild bellyache or a life threatening condition. Horses and ponies who are well cared for with the best quality feed, fresh water and lots of outdoor time are less likely to colic.
But even with the best care, horses colic. Find out what you need to know to prevent colic and what to do if colic strikes your horse.
What is Horse Colic?
Spasmodic Colic
Spasmodic colic is an indication of spasms of muscles in the abdomen. This form of colic can abate on its own or may be treated with anti-spasmodic drugs. There are many different reasons why horses have spasmodic colic.
Impaction Colic
Impaction colic is caused by a blockage in the intestine.
Gaseous Distention (Tympany)
Gases that build up in front of an impaction may cause painful gaseous distention. Gaseous distention can also be caused by the fermentation of feed in the stomach if the horse has gorged itself.
Intestinal Catastrophe
Intestines can twist, telescope or become twisted around the tissue that attaches them to the abdominal cavity. This will cause violent colic symptoms. The blood flow in the intestine becomes obstructed.
This is the most serious form of colic and causes intense pain. Often the only remedy is surgery, which is costly and sometimes unsuccessful.
What Causes Colic?
Changes in feed, an accumulation of sand in the caecum, and ingesting fungus or foreign objects can all trigger colic symptoms. Some owners claim nervous horses that experience a change in management or senior horses in response to rapid air pressure changes may develop spasmodic colic. (No conclusive clinical information supports this claim.)
Impaction colic can happen during the winter months when horses or ponies are fed hay and have only frigid water to drink. The combination of dry feed and dehydration can be disastrous. Because the horses don't drink enough water the food forms an obstruction in the intestine. A horse that eats its bedding or accidentally gorges on grain can suffer from impaction colic. (Over eating grain or fruit can also cause laminitis or 'founder'.)
Parasite damage or kidney stones may also cause colic symptoms.
Colic can be caused by too much food eaten too quickly, or drinking a large amount of cold water. But any horse, regardless of age or temperament can have a bout of colic and often the root cause goes undiscovered.
Twisted intestines and telescoped sections of intestines occur and the cause is unclear.
How Do I Know My Horse Has Colic?
Visual Signs
* Pawing
* Biting at Flanks
* Restlessness/Pacing
* Apathy
* Sweating
* Standing stretched.
* Kicking at its abdomen.
* Substantially less or no manure produced.
* Rolling (If a horse is rolling to scratch himself, he will roll and perhaps rub his neck and head back and forth to give himself a good massage. He will then get up and have a good shake to get rid of the dust. If the horse has colic he will roll repeatedly and stand listless, looking uncomfortable, without shaking his body and head and often get down to roll again. If the horse is in extreme pain the rolling may be violent.)
Changes in Vital Signs:
Familiarize yourself with your horse's or pony's healthy vital signs before problems begin.
* Elevated pulse-the average is 27 and 43 beats per minute.
* Elevated temperature-the average is 98F to 100F.
* Elevated or depressed respiration-the average is 8 to 16 times per minute.
How Can I Prevent Colic?
* Introduce or change feeds gradually.
* Introduce horses to lush pasture very gradually.
* Provide clean fresh drinking water at all times. In the winter, horses can not eat enough snow to stay hydrated and may not drink enough icy water from a trough or pond. A stock tank heater will keep water from freezing.
* If your horse eats straw, consider using shavings for bedding.
* Clean up windfall apples and other fruit out of pastures. A few apples a day is okay. Too many can cause colic.
* Keep your horses on a regular de-worming schedule to avoid parasite damage.
* After or during heavy workouts allow your horse to take frequent small sips of water. You can estimate how much water your horse is drinking by counting the gulps. Get to know how many times he swallows while drinking a measured amount of water i.e.
a 5 gallon bucket. You'll be able to estimate how much he is drinking at one time.
* Keep a regular feeding routine.
* Allow plenty of outdoor pasture time.
* Provide plenty of good quality fodder. Horses have very small stomachs and need to eat frequent small meals.
* Have your horse's teeth checked by an equine dentist or veterinarian. Improperly ground food can cause impactions.
* Always keep your veterinarians phone number in a prominent place beside your phone. Have your horse's teeth checked by an equine dentist or veterinarian. Improperly ground food may contribute to impactions.
* Always keep your veterinarians phone number in a prominent place beside your phone.
What Do I Do If My Horse Colics?
Assess
Assess the severity of the colic. If your horse has mild colic, perhaps looks uncomfortable, is biting at his flanks and stands stretched observe him to see if the colic abates after about 30 minutes time. Remove all edibles (including bedding) from the stall.
Try Walking and Trotting
As long as the horse is calm, you could try doing ‘belly lifts’ and hand walking or longing. A few minutes of trotting may help, but only for a few minutes. Don’t tire him out. If he starts to feel better, offer a tiny bit of grain. If he eats he may be over his bout, but keep a close eye on him for several hours afterwards.
After 30 Minutes
If mild colic symptoms haven’t abated after about a half hour’s time call your veterinarian. Write down any changes in feed, drugs or de-wormers administered, changes in routine, or anything else that you can remember that might have triggered the colic episode.
Take note of the amount of manure he has produced. This may make it easier to diagnose the cause of the colic and speed treatment.
If your horse seems shaky, and isn’t rolling violently, drape him with warm blankets.
Severe Colic
Safety First
If the horse is thrashing violently look out for your own safety first. Your instincts will be to try to calm your horse, but a horse in extreme pain can be oblivious to everything—even a familiar and respected handler. Call the veterinarian immediately.
It has long been thought that rolling and thrashing violently may cause a twisted gut. But whether this is true or not has not been established. Try to keep your horse on his feet. Traditional colic care is to walk your horse, but if he is already tired from thrashing and rolling, walking may only add to his fatigue. Your horse will be okay standing, or just lying still for a short time. It may be nearly impossible (and dangerous) to stop a horse from rolling. Move him to a place where he is less likely to hurt himself or get cast if possible.
Use Medications with Caution
If you keep prescription drugs like muscle relaxants for spasmodic colic in your first aid box use them with extreme caution. Treating a horse incorrectly may cause more harm than good. With colic caused by a twisted or telescoped gut, a speedy diagnosis is imperative. Don’t give your horse anything that may mask symptoms.
What Will the Veterinarian do for My Horse With Colic?
Your veterinarian will want to give your horse or pony a thorough examination to ascertain the type of colic and what might have caused it.
A. The first thing your vet will do is check your horse's pulse, respiration and temperature. With a stethoscope the vet will listen to the abdomen for the rumblings of a normal healthy digestive system. He or she will check mucous membranes and do a 'pinch test' to find out if the horse is suffering from dehydration.
A nasal tube may be put through your horse's nostril and down it's esophagus to check for fluids in the stomach. The vet will also do a manual rectal examination. Any distensions, twists or other abnormalities may be felt deep within the abdominal cavity.
If the veterinarian suspects:
* spasmodic colic an anti spasmodic drug may be administered.
* impaction colic due to a blockage the veterinarian may tube oil or fluid through the nostrils and rectum in an effort to dislodge it.
* intestinal catastrophe such as a twisted intestine he or she will suggest various options including surgery and euthanasia.