Colic, which is actually not a disease itself but a sign of stomach pains, can be caused by many different factors so it is well worth every horse owner’s time to learn all they can about prevention of this syndrome.
Dr. Ken Armstrong is an equine veterinarian who has been in practice for many years and has seen many horses for episodes of colic during this time. “A lot depends on the weather, as the temperature swings can result in frozen or ice-covered water. This can result in horses drinking less water. At this time of year, they are also shifting from a high moisture diet (grass) to a low moisture diet (dried hay).” Armstrong adds, “Make sure the horse has water available as sometimes the water may freeze during the night and not melt until late morning.”
Paying attention now will help you prevent impaction colic from developing as a result of diet and weather changes and the lack of water intake.
A Few Points to Keep in Mind for Prevention:
Always have fresh, clean water available. Water needs may increase as a result of the dry grass and increased hay being consumed so make sure there is lots of fresh, clean water provided 24 hours a day. Observe the behaviour of your horses to ensure that all horses are able to access the water, as sometimes in small paddocks one horse may prevent other horses from getting to the food and water sources.
Check water temperature. Keep an eye on the water buckets, and provide heated water on the nights when the temperature is dropping rapidly. Monitor the amount of water consumed so that you can act in a preventive manner if there is a decrease in water consumption.
Monitor hydration. Dehydration increases the risk of impaction colic. Monitor the horse for any signs of dehydration. Discuss how you can do this with your veterinarian. A “skin pinch” on the shoulder of the horse is a useful tool to assess hydration by seeing if there is any delay in the skin flattening back down (this is called skin tenting). Slowed skin response may indicate a degree of dehydration. Knowing this, you can add water to concentrate ration and/or soak the hay for 10 minutes prior to feeding as this will bring more water into the gut. You may also wish to discuss with your vet or equine nutritionist the use of soaked and shredded beet pulp as an addition to the diet for getting more water into the digestive system.
As a horse owner you can do a lot to prevent colic, such as reading more about it, discussing it with your veterinarian and your equine nutritionist or even taking courses on this topic. For more information www.gettynutrition.com
Story: Gayle Ecker
