Colic Crisis - How To Treat A Horse's Symptoms

Did you know that horses can have colic? It's true: colic is not just for babies anymore. Colic is a term that many vets use to describe equine abdominal pain. There are many reasons why horses may develop colic. Feeding practices, gas, or intestinal problems can result in colic. It is important to get your horse to a vet if you think he or she is suffering from colic. Colic can result in pain and even death for your horse.

Causes of Colic

Inappropriate feeding management is one of the main reasons why colic can develop. It is important to develop a healthy and steady feeding schedule. If you have irregular feeding times, excess water or too little water, excess grain, moldy feed or other inappropriate feeding techniques, you are putting your horse at risk. A horse with bad teeth cannot properly chew his food, so this is another risk.



Horses that overeat on grain can often develop colic. A horse with coarse roughage such as coastal hay needs to be watched over more carefully. Also, make sure you don't feed your horse anywhere near sand. Sometimes horses will develop colic after having consumed a foreign object. Always make sure that your horse's environment is safe and clear of any foreign objects or old food.

Symptoms of Colic

What are some of the main causes of colic? If your horse should develop colic, you will notice strange behavior right away. However, sometimes you won't notice any symptoms right away. Sometimes you will notice that your horse is putting its mouth in water for no apparent reason. They may also curl their lip or refuse to eat. You may see your horse biting its flanks or looking at its stomach. This is a major sign that tells you something is going on. If you are really familiar with your horse, you may also notice that the horse has a grimace on its face.

If you don't notice the early symptoms listed above, you may find yourself with a horse that has more moderate symptoms. You may see the horse rolling around, pawing at its stomach, or just being in a constant state or restlessness. Your horse may stand with its legs stretched out constantly. It may be sweating more than normal, have a temperature, or an abnormal pulse rate. Some horses will be depressed, not defecate, or maybe not even eat. When things get to this point, it is urgent you see a vet right away.

How to Treat Colic

Immediately stop feeding your horse if you notice any symptoms, and make sure to contact your vet right away. If you notice your horse is trying to roll around or very restless, allow it to trot in order to relieve the horse's gas. If your horse seems to want to rest, allow it to rest. When you get in touch with your vet, he or she might choose to treat the horse with a nasogastric tube that will help relieve the gas. Pain medication and sedation may be prescribed in order to properly examine the horse. An I.V. may be administered if the horse appears to be dehydrated. In some cases surgery will be necessary. Horses that have intestinal problems and need this kind of surgery have roughly a 50 percent survival rate. Only 15-20 percent of those that do survive live for more than a year.

As a horse owner, you have to be aware of how your horse typically acts in order to determine any problems right away. You should always get your horse on a vet recommended feeding schedule that works best for you and your horse. Practicing proper feeding management is absolutely key in order to prevent colic.