Colic

Every rider should be able to spot colic.

The word colic means abdominal pain. There are several different kinds and causes.

Because horses can't burp to release excess gas, or vomit to get rid of harmful stomach contents, they get colic more than any other animals. Horse's digestive tracks can also suffer from blockage.

• If a horse eats too much feed. Make sure your horse doesn't get into the grain room!
• Worms in a horse's stomach may stop him from digesting food properly
• Eating moldy or spoiled feed or hay
• An abrupt change in diet. For Example, switching from one type of hay to another in one day.
• Eating grass clippings that have been fermented
• Heavily working a horse right after he's eaten
• Swallowing sand with feed
• Nervousness or over-excitemnet
• Lack of water

• Your horse ignores his feed. If a greedy horse ignores his feed, something is not right!
• Your horse bites at his stomach and swished his tail, he looks bothered
• Your horse is restless and upset, he frequently looks at his stomach
• Your horse stretches out, as if he needs to urinate but, nothing comes out<.li>
• Your horse lays down and gets up over and over
• Your horse breathes heavily
• Your horse rolls violently

• Spasmodic Colic: Attacks of pain caused by cramps of the bowel (part of the digestive tract). Durring cramps, your horse may roll and kick at his belly. Then, he'll seems normal until the cramps return.
• Flatulent Colic: Caused by the build up of gas in the digestive tract.
• Worm Damage Colic: Large blood clots form and cut off the blood supply to parts of the intestines and the bowel. The blood clots form from the invasion of worm larvae in the blood vessels that supply blood to the intestines.
• Twisted Intestine: A colicky horse rolls violently and twists his intestines. Blood vessels stop supplying blood to parts of the digestive tract

Call the vet! Your horse must be examined as soon as possible! Put a halter on your horse and watch him closely as you wait for the vet. If your horse tries to lie down, walk him around. Don't give your horse any medication or food, wait for the vet.

When your vet arrives, she will listen to your horse's stomach with a stethoscope. She may give him medication. A common medicine that is used is Banamine.

If medication and other methods don't help your horse, he may have to have surgery. If so, get your horse to an equine hospital quickly! Once in the hospital, the vets may remove blockage from your horse's intestine. After surgery, your horse will need to stay rested for a while.

I hope this article helped you learn about colic! Remember the smptoms of colic, knowing them could come in handy!

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