Horse IQ

Colic is the number one horse killer out there. Some horses are simply prone to colic while others colic as a result of stress. The sad part is that colic is very common and in some cases could have been easily prevented. Here are a few guidelines all horse owners should follow in order to prevent this sometimes heart breaking tragedy from occurring.
Diet:

Abrupt changes in diet can cause colic. This means the type of hay and grain you feed, how much, and how many times a day you feed it all have an effect on the likelihood of your horse becoming colicky.

The proper way to introduce a new type of feed is to do so slowly over several weeks. Each day add a little bit more of the new feed mixed in with the old feed until eventually you have worked your horse into eating the new feed on its own. This same method should be used when changing the type of hay and increasing or decreasing the amount of feed.

Another good way to help prevent colic from occurring is to develop a regular feeding schedule and stick to it. If you are unable to make it out to feed your horse at the scheduled time, then have someone else cover for you.

Also keep in mind that horses are, by nature, grazing animals. At least half of their energy should be supplied through hay or forage. When you do feed grain, break it up into two or three smaller meals throughout the day, instead of a single large meal.

Clean and fresh water at all times is another must have when preventing colic. The only exception to this rule is if the horse is very hot due to exercise. In this case, you should keep him away from all water sources while he is cooling out; preferably the horse should be hand walked until cool. In the summer, when it is hot outside, it is a good idea to add some electrolytes to your horseâ€™s water as help to help prevent dehydration.

Exercise:

It is not enough to ride your horse one hour a day and then keep it in its stall for the remaining 23 hours. All horses should have a combination of hand walking, turn out, lunging, or exercise under saddle every single day. It is best to establish a regular exercise routine and stick to it.

If you plan to increase or decrease your horseâ€™s workload, do so gradually. A horse who is used to being outside for several hours and ridden daily may become more susceptible to colic if that is suddenly taken away.

Stress Reduction:

Horses who are currently being transported or have recently been transported from one place to another are especially susceptible to colic. This is primarily due to the different water, feed, hay, and lack of exercise they experience in transit.

Transporting your horse will cause stress, no matter what, but there are ways to minimize this stress. For example, if you are going to a show, bring your own hay with you instead of buying some at the show grounds which may taste different to your horse.

You can also begin to add flavored electrolytes to the water weeks before you leave and then continue to add the same flavor at the show grounds. This will help to mask the difference in the taste of the water.

While traveling, keep a close eye on your horse. Stop every three to four hours or so and check your horseâ€™s hay and water on the trailer. Some horses also refuse to urinate while a trailer is moving, so stopping for fifteen to twenty minutes will give them a chance to do their business and relax.

Knowing When to Call for Help:

Even if you felt like you have done everything right, some horses are simply more susceptible to colic than others. This is why it is important to know the early signs of colic, which will allow you to call your vet before it is too late.

Some of the symptoms of colic include: sweating, pawing, lifting hind leg, looking at belly, attempting to roll, a pale pink to purple gum color, a heart rate ranging from 40 beats per minute to over 80, a temperature from 99 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100.5, and a respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute to over 40 breaths per minute. The higher the fever, heart rate and respiratory rate is the more severe the case of colic.

Summary:

Colic is perhaps the #1 enemy of horse health. But your knowing how to prevent it from happening to your horse will save the both of you a lot of pain and suffering. And knowing when to call a vet is crucial to keeping your horse free of this painful condition.