Colic In Equine
Keith Vander Velde
UW Extension Livestock Specialist
Montello, Wi
Colic
#1 Killer of Horses
Not a disease, it is a sign of abdominal
pain
Any malfunction, displacement,
twisting, swelling, infection or lesion of
digestive system
Colic
Management plays important role in
prevention
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Establish regular feeding and exercise
routine
Feed high quality high forage diet
Avoid feeding excessive grain or energy
rich diets
Divide concentrate rations into two or more
feedings rather than one
Colic
Management to Prevent colic
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Set up regular parasite control program
Provide exercise or turnout on a daily basis
Provide fresh, clean water (except when horse is
hot from vigorous exercise
Avoid medications unless they are prescribed by
vet, especially pain-relief drugs(analgesics), which
cause ulcers
Check hay and bedding for blister beetles, noxious
weeds, and ingestible foreign matter
Colic
Management to Prevent Colic
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Avoid feeing on ground, especially in sandy area
Do not let horse graze pastures short in sandy
soils
Make dietary and management changes gradually
Reduce stress, horses experiencing changes in
environment or workloads are at a high risk of
internal dysfunction
What to Do if Horse Colics
Put in comfortable Stall
Remove feed and water
Allow horse to lie down if it appears to
be resting
If it wants to roll or is behaving
violently, attempt to walk it slowly
Questions your Vet might Ask
Temperature, pulse and respiratory rate
Color of mucous membranes and capillary
refill time( press against gums, release and
count second to return to original color
Behavioral signs, such as pawing, kicking,
rolling, depression
Digestive noises or lack of
Bowel movements including color, consistency
and frequency
Medical history, deworming and past
episodes,
Founder
Laminitis is a non-infectious
inflammation of the laminae of the
hoof, most frequently affecting of feet
Caused by digestive disturbances
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Over feeding of grain
Overeating on new pasture
Drinking large quantities of clod water
when overheated
Founder
Signs:
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Engorged vascular system with nerve
endings press again rigid hoof wall
Build up of lactic acid
Horses resist moving
Try to bear weight on hind feet
Place front feet weight on heels not entire
foot
Founder
Treatment
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Antihistamines to reduces swelling
Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
Administer Laxatives if detected early
Elimination of grain from diet
Removal of shoes
Blood transfusions from healthy horses
Founder
Treatment
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Grooving of hoof wall with ¼ inch grooves
vertically, 1 1/2 inches apart to relieve
pain, bandage hoof for 1-2 weeks following
grooving
Rest and no exercise
Aftercare, light steel bar shoe to prevent
hoof contraction with rolled toes
Colic Prevention
Keep horse on all forage diet
If grain is feed limit to less than 5 lbs, horses
receiving 5-11 lbs of grain have a 5 times
higher risk of colic, horse receiving more than
11 lbs of grain had a 6 times higher risk of
developing colic
Allow horse to be turned out for 12 hours or
more per day
Use a regular worming schedule