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

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

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

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

Over feeding of grain

Overeating on new pasture
Drinking large quantities of clod water
when overheated

Founder
Signs:

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

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

Grooving of hoof wall with 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