The number one killer of horses is colic. Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic \u2013 and seeking qualified veterinary help \u2013 can the chance for recovery be maximized.<\/p>\n
If you flip through any horse magazine lately, you will probably see an advertisement for SmartDigest Ultra and the ColiCare program. Horses enrolled must have an annual physical exam, dental exam, vaccinations, and deworming all by your veterinarian. They must also be at least five months of age (and fully weaned) and under twenty-six years of age and may remain enrolled through age 28.<\/p>\n
While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management can play a key role in prevention. Although not every case is avoidable, the following guidelines from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) can maximize the horse\u2019s health and reduce the risk of colic:<\/p>\n
1. Establish a daily routine \u2013 include feeding and exercise schedules \u2013 and stick to it.
\n2. Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage.
\n3. Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements. (At least half the horse\u2019s energy should be supplied through hay or forage. A better guide is that twice as much energy should be supplied from a roughage source than from concentrates.)
\n4. Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller feedings rather than one large one to avoid overloading the horse\u2019s digestive tract. Hay is best fed free-choice.
\n5. Set up a regular parasite control program with the help of your equine practitioner.
\n6. Provide exercise and\/or turnout on a daily basis. Change the intensity and duration of an exercise regimen gradually.
\n7. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. (The only exception is when the horse is excessively hot, and then it should be given small sips of luke-warm water until it has recovered.)
\n8. Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils.
\n9. Check hay, bedding, pasture, and environment for potentially toxic substances, such as blister beetles, noxious weeds, and other ingestible foreign matter.
\n10. Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction. Pay special attention to horses when transporting them or changing their surroundings, such as at shows.<\/p>\n
Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic. Age, sex, and breed differences in susceptibility seem to be relatively minor. The type of colic seen appears to relate to geographic or regional differences, probably due to environmental factors such as sandy soil or climatic stress. Importantly, what this tells us is that, with conscientious care and management, we have the potential to reduce and control colic, the number one killer of horses.<\/p>\n