How to Feed With Colic

Colic is another name for abdominal pain that occurs in humans and horses. Its severity in horses ranges from mild to severe. It can be over in as little as half an hour, but in extreme cases, surgery is required. Horses should not be fed while exhibiting signs of colic for a variety of reasons. Feeding during colic can bring on bad eating habits such as cribbing and bolting. If your horse has a bowel obstruction, food will create further complications. Once your horse has passed a normal bowel movement and is not showing any more signs of colic, it can be slowly brought back to its normal diet.

Things You'll Need

  • Timothy hay
  • Salt lick
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Instructions

    • 1
      Timothy hay is less rich than alfalfa hay.

      Feed your horse smaller amounts of a mild hay, such as timothy, several times during the first day, as recommended by Dr. Jack B. Zines, DVM. Your horse will need enough to replace its grain and normal hay diet for about a day.

    • 2

      Place a salt lick in your horse's stall or pasture.

    • 3

      Provide your horse with a plentiful, clean water supply. According to the University of Kentucky Extension, water helps horses to have healthy bowel movements, which helps colic symptoms pass.

    • 4
      Providing fresh, clean water helps colic symptoms to pass.

      Allow at least one full day to pass. If your horse is still having normal bowel movements, slowly add grain and regular hay, such as alfalfa, back into its diet.

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