EquineColic

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:

1. Establish a daily routine - include feeding and exercise
schedules - and stick to it

2. Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage

       3. 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 source
            than from concentrates

       4. Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller
            feeding rather than one large one to avoid overloading
            the horse's digestive tract; hay is best fed free choice

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 lukewarm water until it has
            recovered)

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 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 surrounding, 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.

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