Help! My horse has colic.
There are different types of colic: cramp colic, gas colic, constipation or changes in the position of the intestines. Every colic is different. Sometimes the cause is simple and in some cases the cause is complex(er). After the anamnesis and a general clinical examination, a rectal examination is performed if necessary to determine which type of colic the horse has.
Depending on the diagnosis, various treatments are possible. Some cases of colics are easy to treat with medication alone. In other cases, sounding the horse is necessary: a tube is inserted into the stomach via the nasal passage. In the case of stomach overload, air and/or stomach contents are removed from the horse via the tube. Paraffin oil can also be administered via the tube to relieve constipation. In the case of severe colic, it is sometimes necessary to refer horses to a clinic.
Tips to avoid colic:
- Beware of sand: horses in sand paddocks or bare sand pastures are more likely to be constipated by sand. Give a regular treatment with 'sand away' or have manure checked for sand.
- Prevent your horse from eating too much straw: provide sufficient hay in the stable or switch to a different bedding material.
- Be careful when switching to new fresh grass pastures: let the horses get used to it for a (few) hours a day or work with strip grazing.
- Be careful with (ice) cold water, especially after the horse has been exercising.
- Provide sufficient roughage and do not provide too much concentrate. If you switch to a new ration, switch gradually over a period of days to weeks.
- Ensure a good deworming plan: especially in young horses, worm infections can cause constipation colic.