Instructions
Guidelines to Treating Equine Colic
Learn to recognize the signs. Indications that your horse is experiencing abdominal pain include nipping, kicking or nudging his or her stomach or flank with the nose. Your horse may suddenly go off his or her feed. Note the condition of recent stool, if possible. Manure either covered with mucus or bone-dry suggests a digestive issue. Finally, note that a horse with gas and colic may prefer lying down and resist standing or walking. However, if your horse is rolling on the ground, utterly refuses to stand, or is behaving violently, call your veterinarian immediately.
Check for signs of dehydration. If you know how, measure your horse̵7;s heart rate. According to the University of Minnesota Extension Horse Program, more than 45 to 50 beats per minute is a symptom of dehydration. Also, check your horse̵7;s gums. If they are pale, sticky, or if the color does not rush back into the gum tissue after making a light depression, your horse is likely dehydrated. Since this condition warrants immediate medical attention, call your veterinarian right away if either or both of these symptoms are present.
Remove all food from your horse̵7;s stall, but provide plenty of water. If possible, try to encourage your horse to drink a bit.
Get your horse moving. Lead your horse out to pasture with a halter and lead rope and walk him or her for 20 minutes, allowing a 10-minute rest period between intervals. Keep a moderately slow and consistent pace. The point to this exercise is to promote stool transit, not to tire the animal. If your horse does produce a bowel movement, the condition is improving. Similarly, it̵7;s a good sign if your horse grazes on grass and this should be encouraged.
Observe your horse for the next few hours. Once your horse is walking well and grazing normally, you may resume regular grain feedings at the next scheduled time. However, if the gas and colic aren't resolved within four to six hours, it̵7;s time to call the veterinarian to administer a laxative.
How to Treat Equine Gas & Colic
Equine colic is a blanket term used to describe any condition in which a horse demonstrates signs of abdominal pain. Sometimes a blockage of undigested food somewhere along the gastrointestinal tract can produce these symptoms. Likewise, excess fermentation can lead to trapped gas and inflammation and distention in the affected region. Fortunately, most cases of gas and colic in horses are mild and temporary, and respond well to treatment. However, since this condition can quickly escalate without intervention, it̵7;s important to know how to treat equine gas and colic correctly.