How to Reduce the Chances for the Recurrence of Colic

Colic can be devastating for horses. A 1986 survey by the Morris Animal Foundation cited colic as the number one cause of death in horses. Once a horse has colic, it becomes more likely to have it again. Abdominal pain is a main diagnosis of colic, which can include a range of health issues. With the constant fear that an otherwise healthy animal can be one meal away from dying, a horse owner can take several actions to help reduce the recurrence of colic. These simple steps are easy to implement.

Things You'll Need

  • Second grazing area
  • Extra water tubs
  • Wormer
  • Roughage, such as hay
  • Non-concentrate feed
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Instructions

  1. In the Pasture

    • 1

      Rotate pasture regularly to avoid overgrazing. When horses pick up sand and stones due to short grass, the chances of colic increase. Sand is difficult to flush through a horse's digestive system. Also, the resting field can be reseeded with quality grass such as Timothy or clover mixes.

    • 2

      Keep water plentiful and fresh. Dump out and refill water tubs daily. Scrub tubs clean once a week. This minimizes debris or mold from being taken in with the water. If water tubs are frequently emptied, add more tubs or get a larger tub.

    • 3

      Keep weeds down by mowing regularly. Horses will not eat certain weeds and others can be poisonous. Learn to identify plants toxic to horses and walk the pasture areas to find and remove any growing where the horse can eat them.

    Regular Care

    • 4

      Feed horses the same food. Make any changes to diet slowly by mixing new feed with the old feed, gradually decreasing the amount of old feed. Sudden diet changes can cause colic. Avoid highly concentrated feeds. Also, dry feeds should be fed with extra roughage or mixed with water to create a mash. Highly dry and compacted feeds can remain dry and compacted in the digestive system.

    • 5

      Worm regularly. Certain worms and infestations can increase the chances of reoccurring colic.

    • 6

      Treat all wounds and illnesses. Do not wait to see if your horse gets better on its own. Simple wound infections and even laminitis have been linked to colic.