How to Care for a Horse After Colic

Colic is a serious condition in a horse, and it is important for horse owners to watch their animals closely as they recover from it. If you suspect that your horse may have colic, the best course of action is to contact your veterinarian immediately. Your vet can provide expert advice and tell you what steps to take until help arrives. After the colic episode has been treated by the vet, it is also important to follow-up by keeping a close eye on your horse and examining his surroundings for possible causes of the episode.

Things You'll Need

  • Halter
  • Lead rope
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Look around the pasture and paddock area for possible causes of the onset of colic. A number of things can cause a horse to colic, including sudden changes in the type of food being offered, excessive consumption of grass and a lack of drinking water. If your horse has been in a dry paddock all winter and is suddenly turned out on lush pasture, he may overindulge, which can cause colic. It is important to look for possible causes and eliminate them when they are found.

    • 2

      Watch your horse closely following the colic episode. Be especially vigilant if your horse lies down. If he is lying still, there is nothing to worry about. But, if he appears uncomfortable or begins to thrash about, that is a sign that the colic has returned. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your vet immediately.

    • 3

      Exercise your horse as much as you can. It is important for your horse's digestive system to begin moving normally again, and light exercise can help that process. Put your horse's halter and lead rope on and walk him around the corral or pasture. If you have access to a round pen or riding ring, you can do some light work there as well.

    • 4

      Watch your horse's consumption of water in the days following a colic episode. Make sure your horse has access to plenty of fresh, clean drinking water, and make sure that he is drinking water in sufficient quality. A lack of water can lead to colic, as can a failure to consume sufficient quantities of water. If you notice that your horse is not drinking as much as he usually does, it is a good idea to contact the vet.

    • 5

      Go light on grain for the first couple of days after a colic episode. If you suspect that a change in your horse's regular grain contributed to the colic, be sure to go back to what he was eating before the episode. Give your horse half rations to start, and slowly build back up to the amount of grain he was getting before the illness.