Colic! Now, That is a Scary Topic

The very word makes you shudder. It seems to happen at any time and place and to any horse and it is the number one killer of horses. As common as colic is, it remains misconstrued and lacks singular explanation. Thousands of dollars have been invested in colic studies, yet it is still an offender of even the healthiest horses.

There are a myriad of causes, but most colics fall under these three groups:

• Intestinal Dysfunction-This is the most common category and simply means the horse's bowels are not working properly. It includes such things as gas distention, impaction, spasms and paralysis.
• Intestinal Accidents-These occur less frequently and include displacements, torsions and hernias, whereby sections of the intestine become trapped or pinched in body cavities. These almost always require emergency surgery.
• Enteritis or Ulcerations-These colics relate to inflammations, infections and lesions within the digestive tract. They can be caused by numerous factors including stress, disease, salmonellosis and parasites.

While horses seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management does play a key role in prevention. Although not every case is avoidable, the following guidelines can reduce the risk of colic:

• Establish a set daily routine -- including feeding and exercise schedules -- and stick to it.
• Feed a high quality diet comprised primarily of roughage.
• Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements. (At least half the horse's energy requirement should be supplied through hay or forage.
• Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller feedings rather than one large one to avoid overloading the horse's digestive tract. When traveling supplement with beet pulp to add roughage to your horses concentrate ration. (See LNT Tips, Additional Tips for more in-depth guidelines for traveling). Hay is best fed free choice.
• Set up a regular parasite control program with the help of your equine practitioner. Utilize fecal samples to determine its effectiveness.
• Provide exercise and/or turnout on a daily basis.
• Change the intensity/duration of an exercise regimen gradually.
• Provide fresh, clean water at all times. (The only exception is when the horse is excessively hot. Then it should be given small sips of lukewarm water until it has recovered.)
• Avoid medications unless, they are prescribed by your equine practitioner, especially pain-relief drugs (analgesics), which can cause ulcers.
• Check hay, bedding, pasture, and environment for potentially toxic substances, such as blister beetles, noxious weeds, and other ingestible foreign matter.
• Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils.
• Make dietary and other management changes as gradually as possible.
• Reduce stress. Horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction.
• Pay special attention to animals when transporting them or changing their surroundings, such as at shows or traveling vacations.
• Observe foaling mares pre- and postpartum for any signs of colic. Also watch carefully any horses that have had a previous bout with colic. They may be at greater risk.

A major problem for you as a horse owner is identifying the signs of colic. That's because signs can vary greatly between individuals and may also depend on the severity of the pain. However, among the more common signs are:

• Turning the head toward the flank
• Pawing
• Kicking or biting at the abdomen
• Stretching out as if to urinate without doing so
• Repeatedly lying down and getting up or attempting to do so
• Rolling, especially violent rolling
• Sitting in a dog-like position, or lying on the back
• Lack of appetite (anorexia)
• Putting head down to water without drinking
• Lack of bowel movements, as evidenced by the small number of manure piles
• Absence of, or reduced, digestive sounds
• Sweating
• Rapid respiration and/or flared nostrils
• Elevated pulse rate (greater than 52 beats per minute)
• Depression
• Lip curling
• Cool extremities

Time is perhaps the most critical factor if colic is to be successfully treated. While a number of cases resolve without medical intervention, a significant percentage does require prompt medical care, including emergency surgery. If you suspect your horse is suffering from colic, the following action plan is suggested:

1. Remove all food and water.
2. Notify your veterinarian immediately.
3. Be prepared to provide the following specific information:
   • Pulse rate
   • Respiratory rate (breathing)
   • Rectal temperature
   • Color of mucous membranes
   • Capillary refill time (tested by pressing on gums adjacent to teeth, releasing, then counting the seconds it takes for color to return)
   • Behavioral signs, such as pawing, kicking, rolling, depression, etc.
   • Digestive noises, or lack of them
   • Bowel movements, including color, consistency and frequency
   • Any recent changes in management, feeding, or exercise
   • Medical history, including de-worming and any past episodes of abdominal pain
   • Breeding history and pregnancy status if the patient is a mare, and recent breeding history if the patient is a stallion
4. Keep horse as calm and comfortable as possible. Allow the animal to lie down if it appears to be resting and is not at risk of injury.
5. If the horse is rolling or behaving violently, attempt to walk the horse slowly.
6. Do not administer drugs unless specifically directed to do so by your equine practitioner. Drugs may camouflage problems and interfere with accurate diagnosis.
7. Follow your veterinarian's advice exactly and await his or her arrival.