by Kate Manning

Created on: June 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

There are uncountable reasons that a horse will colic. Because horses cannot vomit, instead they get pains in their abdomen. This can be caused by anything from moldy hay, to viruses to gas!
It is important for horse owners to know how to recognize the symptoms of colic, because this can help rule out other potential problems, and determine the severity of the colic - it can range from very minor to fatal.

The first thing you will probably notice, especially with a stalled horse, is a lack of droppings and/or food or hay left uneaten. This shows your horse's appetite is off, or that they may have an impaction or blockage, refraining them from going to the bathroom.

If your horse is outside, and with other horses, it is going to be harder to tell if they have not been going to the bathroom, or not eating. So the next sign to look for is if the horse becoming restless, pawing or laying down a lot. This is not to say, panic every time your horse lays down! You will usually be able to tell if it is out of character of your horse, or if it is for a long period of time. They may occasionally throw a little roll in every now and again, so this is usually a sign. It is advised that you get your horse to stand if you suspect colic. Rolling can result in a twisted gut - whereby the intestines move or dislodge and rest in an unnatural place. This can be very dangerous and may need surgery, or it could be fatal.

The first thing I would advise, is to try to encourage them to eat a bran mash - although you must use wheat bran, not rice bran, as this would not serve its purpose properly. You can mix the bran with warm water, some mineral oil or olive oil, mixed into a very sloppy, easy to eat meal.

Also, if you have access to a painkiller such as Banamine, it would probably help to give your horse a few CC's, Intra-muscular. To administer this, you must estimate by the horse's weight. A large 1200lb horse can take a maximum of about 10cc's, a minature pony could take no more than 3 or 4 cc's. Administered IM, it should start to take effect in about 15-20 minutes, and help the horse to relax enough to go to the bathroom and maybe eat. If this was a minor colic, you will see your horse become more comfortable and return to his normal behavior.

However, if the pain worsens, they will try to roll harder and more violently, which is why it is imperative to keep them on their feet at this point. They will be looking at their belly, indicating that it hurts, and you will see that they

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>