Tips to Prevent Colic

R. Dean Meyer DVM

Everyone in the horse industry knows the word "colic" can strike fear in even the most experienced of horse people. If you have been involved with horses long enough some where along the way you or someone you know well will have lost a great horse to this dreaded condition. Colic is responsible for more deaths in horses than any other disease!

Colic defined simply means abdominal pain. Horses can display signs from barely noticeable minor displays to those violently thrashing about in a dangerous manner. It is difficult to study because it can be caused by any number of diseases or conditions that display abdominal pain as a clinical sign.

Determining whether or not the incidence of colic on a particular farm is excessive can be key in helping to determine risk factors. A simple rule of thumb is out of 100 horses in a general population 4-10 cases of colic can be expected in a 12 month time period. If you are experiencing far more than that number it may be time to take a look at your management practices.

Risk of colic is defined as the odds that colic incidence will increase in a group of horses exposed to a particular factor. Horses with a history of colic are three times more likely to have a second incidence compared to a horse that has never experienced it. Keep that in mind when accessing your own situation.

Colic can affect horses of any breed or age. Several studies suggest Arabians and Thoroughbreds have an increased incidence, but many of us can attest they also seem to have the least tolerance for pain so it may simply be that they just show clinical signs more than other more stoic breeds. Younger and older horses appear to be at a slightly less risk of developing simple colic. However, older horses that do develop colic are very likely to require surgery to resolve it.

Male and female horses seem to be affected equally when it comes to simple colic. This is probably due to similar management practices being applied to both groups. Pregnant mares can have an increased risk for colon displacement. Some farms also report an increased risk of colic 60-150 days after foaling, although this may be due to more concentrates (grains) being fed in the diet to support lactation.

Feedstuffs and feeding management must always be accessed when evaluating colic risk. Roughage that is course with low digestibility can predispose a horse to impaction colic. Feeding from round bales is also associated with an increased risk of colic. This may be due to molds that are often present in round bales.

Changes in the type and quantity of hay and grain fed increased the risk of colic. Feeding of concentrates or grains in excess of 5.5 lbs per day has been shown to increase the risk. Horses fed sweet feeds or all pelleted grain are also at an increased risk compared to horses fed single grain diets. Grain in the diet increases gas production which can alter gut motility. Probiotics can be an excellent choice for the horse on high grain diets.

Many reports suggest an increased risk of colic in horses with decreased activity or changes from turn out to stall confinement. By turning horses out after grain feeding it has been shown to reduce this risk.

Horses grazing on pastures with sandy soils or where they are forced to eat off the ground of sandy or fine gravel areas have an increased risk for impaction and sand colic. The incorporation of a psyllium based product, such as the Equi-Shine Laxative, into this type of situation can reduce the risks. A simple test can be performed by putting a few fecal balls into an OB sleeve filling the sleeve with water and after several minutes checking the tips of the fingers for sand. This will give a good indication of the amount of sand your horse may be ingesting.

Parasite load and management must always be evaluated when discussing colic risk. Tapeworms have been implicated as a risk associated with ileocecal intussusception. Encysted stronglyes have also been talked about recently as a cause for the minor colic pain some horse's exhibit. The incorporation of Praziquantal into a horse's deworming schedule will effectively control tapeworm infestation. We have also found horses with chronic colic seem to do well on the daily wormers.

Hauling horses can also increase the risk of colic. The cause for this increased risk is not entirely known, although probiotics may help keep the flora in the gut at a more consistent level. Hauling has been shown to be the most stressful variable for horses contributing to the formation of stomach ulcers.

Weather, and more specifically weather changes, are frequently associated with colic risk. Cold weather can affect water intake which increases the risk of impaction. The simple addition of 2 oz of feed grade salt per day into a horse's diet will encourage adequate water intake. Salt blocks were designed for rough tongued animals, such as cattle, it is very difficult for a horse, a smooth tongued animal to get adequate salt from them. This is why you will often see a horse try to bite at these blocks.

It is not completely understood if changes in weather are truly the increasing factor for colic or if it is the change in management that often accompanies the change in weather. Perhaps horses are being kept in stalls or on reduced turnout when a storm is impending.

With all of the risk factors for colic it can make a person wonder if anything can help. My recommendation is high roughage low grain diet, as much as possible turn-out and exercise, the incorporation of 2 oz of salt per day, consistent parasite control, good dental care, and gradual feed and management changes along with close observation and some good luck. I have also seen excellent results with Equi-Shine Daily Start probiotic. This product contains MTB 100 and Bio-Mos which are pathogen and toxin binders. It has been shown that some feed toxins can cause colic that may have preiviously been blamed on other factors. IF you have a horse that has a history of colic it is a cheap preventative and will more than easily cover the cost of a colic call from your veterinarian.

Please call your veterinarian to discuss any concerns you may have about your colic incidence or management.