Understanding And Preventing Colic In Horses
Colic is a common and potentially life-threatening illness in horses, caused by gastrointestinal pain.
It can be triggered by stress, changes in diet, and other factors.
Stress can be caused by changes in routine, travel, competition, changes in housing, feed, or social environment.
Diet and quality of pasture can also trigger colic, especially if there are sudden changes or the horse consumes sand or dirt.
Identifying colic early is critical, and noticing changes in manure output, water intake, and urine output can be early signs.
Checking vital signs, such as heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, and capillary refill time, can help identify colic.
If colic is suspected, it’s essential to call a vet immediately and follow their instructions, which may include administering pain relievers or sedatives.
Prevention is better than cure, and maintaining a consistent feeding regime, providing plenty of fibre and forage, and ensuring access to fresh water can help avoid colic.
Reducing stress, providing consistent exercise, and using products like Poseidon Equine’s Stress
Paste and Digestive EQ can also help mitigate colic.
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Key Findings
Colic is a common illness in horses that can be mild through to severe, and even life-threatening
It’s critical to understand its causes, identify the condition, and what action to take if you suspect your horse has colic
Domesticated horses live a life of routine and habit, and even small changes to this routine can lead to stress, which can be a trigger for colic
Even if your horse isn’t displaying any signs of external distress, if you’ve noticed a change in their manure or their vitals call your vet immediately for advice
We offer all the essentials to help mitigate common Colic factors, including Poseidon’s Digestive EQ and Stress Paste
