Signs of Colic
Colic and the signs of colic in a horse is something we never want to deal with although many of us will because eventually when spending time with horses and learning about them you will someday face the facts and have to deal with a horse that is colic. I'm going to list some signs here and also offer preventative information for you as well. Remember a horse may just show a few of the signs listed below.
Biting at sides ;Pawing the ground; Laying down and getting back up frequently; Heart rate is up; Horse is sweating while standing in stall; Doesn't drink water; Doesn't eat grain; Doesn't eat hay; Laying down after every meal; Listless; Hanging their head low; Grinding teeth; Sluggish; Chewing or Biting Wood; Diarreha
Signs and symtoms of colic usually can mean another problem such as an ulcer
Some tips to prevent colic....
1. Be sure to ask your vet about a de-worming program that is right for your horse and stick to it.
2. Mix oats in with the grain mix you are using to cut down on stomach upset. Oats is safe to feed to most any horse (as long as they are not allergic to oats) and it makes a great filler.
3. Give one cup of alfalfa pellets twice a day...it can be added to the grain ration. This prevents stomach upset and keeps the level of acid down on the stomach.
4. Never overload or start a horse out on a large quantity of grain....if you just got a new horse and you don't know how much to feed...start out with oats and ease in the proper amount of grain gradually over 7 days. Stay with half oats and you will be better off.
5. Try not to feed your horse different brands of feed. Change on a horses stomach only means UPSET. Try to have the extra money available to buy a high quality feed that you know will be safe for your horse. Purina Feed, Nutrena Feed, etc.
6. Include Beet Pulp as a daily additional treat. Use warm water and soak for 8 minutes. They can have as much as they want, but 2 or 3 cups a day is plenty. This gets their gut moving and adds water to their stomach.
7. Don't buy feed with whole corn. Whole corn can cause issues with a horse's stomach. Corn Oil (1 cup) a day is good for their system and is a good way to add extra lbs. on your horse over time. Great for their skin and hair coat too. Another thing, corn oil is one of the best supplements for endurance horses. It helps their body cool down faster. This can help prevent a horse from tying up.
8. Always make sure the water is clean and fresh!! A MUST!!!! In the winter months give warm water. Offer a clean fresh bucket of warm water 2 or 3 times a day.
9. Use a good quality clean grass hay. Most horses are better off eating a nice grass hay. Timothy hay is sometimes too course and can make some horses choke or cough.
10. Before you trailer your horse anywhere or compete...give Pro CMC or U7 Guard before you leave home for your trip, while you are there, and a few more days after you get home. This is very important to prevent ulcers. You do not want to deal with ulcers...they lead to constant colic, weight loss, grinding teeth, cribbing, founder, large vet bills, hospital stay, and eventually death. A death that can be prevented. It doesn't hurt to give your horse preventatives for something YOU KNOW they will get. If you trailer your horse they WILL develop an ulcer over time.
11. If you have a nervous horse...they will develop an ulcer over time It will seem like colic but treat them for an ulcer at least once a year. U7 - Guard for 1 month or use the Pro CMC for a month. Alfalfa Pellets help to keep the acid down.
12. Don't over supplement your horse. If it isn't broke don't fix it. The less grain your horse can get by on the better. Remember fill with oats....they can't colic on oats and they can eat plenty of them.
13. The more tiny meals you can feed through the day the better off your horse will be. Try to feed 4 small meals a day. Plenty of hay is good...a horse that goes for 2 hours or more without food will develop an ulcer.
14. Remember after each de-worming add something back to your horses stomach. Enzymes. There are many Probiotic supplements to choose from. Use this for at least 5 to 10 days after each de-worming.
15. If you suspect your horse has an ulcer such as weight loss, or diarrhea use the Enzymes, U7- Guard and call your vet. Ulcers are hard to detect sometimes and they can lead to death if not addressed.
Biting at sides ;Pawing the ground; Laying down and getting back up frequently; Heart rate is up; Horse is sweating while standing in stall; Doesn't drink water; Doesn't eat grain; Doesn't eat hay; Laying down after every meal; Listless; Hanging their head low; Grinding teeth; Sluggish; Chewing or Biting Wood; Diarreha
Signs and symtoms of colic usually can mean another problem such as an ulcer
Some tips to prevent colic....
1. Be sure to ask your vet about a de-worming program that is right for your horse and stick to it.
2. Mix oats in with the grain mix you are using to cut down on stomach upset. Oats is safe to feed to most any horse (as long as they are not allergic to oats) and it makes a great filler.
3. Give one cup of alfalfa pellets twice a day...it can be added to the grain ration. This prevents stomach upset and keeps the level of acid down on the stomach.
4. Never overload or start a horse out on a large quantity of grain....if you just got a new horse and you don't know how much to feed...start out with oats and ease in the proper amount of grain gradually over 7 days. Stay with half oats and you will be better off.
5. Try not to feed your horse different brands of feed. Change on a horses stomach only means UPSET. Try to have the extra money available to buy a high quality feed that you know will be safe for your horse. Purina Feed, Nutrena Feed, etc.
6. Include Beet Pulp as a daily additional treat. Use warm water and soak for 8 minutes. They can have as much as they want, but 2 or 3 cups a day is plenty. This gets their gut moving and adds water to their stomach.
7. Don't buy feed with whole corn. Whole corn can cause issues with a horse's stomach. Corn Oil (1 cup) a day is good for their system and is a good way to add extra lbs. on your horse over time. Great for their skin and hair coat too. Another thing, corn oil is one of the best supplements for endurance horses. It helps their body cool down faster. This can help prevent a horse from tying up.
8. Always make sure the water is clean and fresh!! A MUST!!!! In the winter months give warm water. Offer a clean fresh bucket of warm water 2 or 3 times a day.
9. Use a good quality clean grass hay. Most horses are better off eating a nice grass hay. Timothy hay is sometimes too course and can make some horses choke or cough.
10. Before you trailer your horse anywhere or compete...give Pro CMC or U7 Guard before you leave home for your trip, while you are there, and a few more days after you get home. This is very important to prevent ulcers. You do not want to deal with ulcers...they lead to constant colic, weight loss, grinding teeth, cribbing, founder, large vet bills, hospital stay, and eventually death. A death that can be prevented. It doesn't hurt to give your horse preventatives for something YOU KNOW they will get. If you trailer your horse they WILL develop an ulcer over time.
11. If you have a nervous horse...they will develop an ulcer over time It will seem like colic but treat them for an ulcer at least once a year. U7 - Guard for 1 month or use the Pro CMC for a month. Alfalfa Pellets help to keep the acid down.
12. Don't over supplement your horse. If it isn't broke don't fix it. The less grain your horse can get by on the better. Remember fill with oats....they can't colic on oats and they can eat plenty of them.
13. The more tiny meals you can feed through the day the better off your horse will be. Try to feed 4 small meals a day. Plenty of hay is good...a horse that goes for 2 hours or more without food will develop an ulcer.
14. Remember after each de-worming add something back to your horses stomach. Enzymes. There are many Probiotic supplements to choose from. Use this for at least 5 to 10 days after each de-worming.
15. If you suspect your horse has an ulcer such as weight loss, or diarrhea use the Enzymes, U7- Guard and call your vet. Ulcers are hard to detect sometimes and they can lead to death if not addressed.