In addition to the way we feed our horses, what we feed them is also an issue. When horses are grazed in poorly maintained pastures, the quality of the vegetation is likely to be inferior and thus lacking in nutrients. Likewise, feeding poor quality hay that was overly mature when harvested or contains an excessive amount of weeds will be difficult to digest and low in nutritional value. Feeding hard to digest, nutritionally deficient forages contributes to digestive disorders. However, feeding excessively high quality forages can also be counterproductive to your horse's digestive system. Recent research indicates that forages that are fine in texture may lead to impaction. Additionally, many higher quality forages have been altered to benefit the cattle industry and are high in sugars and starches.

Feeding whole grains (such as oats) and commercial concentrates may also contribute to colic risk factors. Grains are beneficial, however they are not always a necessary part of your horse's diet and are often over-fed. When selecting a concentrate look for quality ingredients, added levels of nutrients (vitamins, minerals, lysine, and methionine), and ask your feed dealer or manufacturer what the caloric value is. Forage and water should be the principal components of your feeding program; concentrates should be used as additional calories for horses that require more (broodmares, growing and working horses, and hard keepers) and as a complement to lower quality forages. Excesses of concentrates can lead to improper digestion of carbohydrates (sugars and starches). When this occurs, beneficial digestive bacteria are depleted and digestion and nutrient conversion are hindered.

Overgrazing can also contribute to colic. When plants become sparse or very short, grazing close to the soil may contribute to the ingestion of sand that may contribute to impaction. Another factor to consider in overgrazed areas is parasite overload. Crowded pasture conditions or overgrazing encourages horses to graze close to infested areas. Normally, these areas would be avoided, however, the search for succulent plants in poor or overgrazed pastures often forces the horse to eat close to manure or wet areas that are frequent habitats and breeding grounds for internal parasites. Recent research indicates that in particular, tapeworm and small strongyles are instrumental in frequent colic cases.

Types of Colic
The simple definition of colic is "abdominal pain". This sounds fairly harmless, but you should approach it with an air of concern. Colic occurs for a variety of reasons. Some forms are less severe, but all should be treated as a potential threat to your horse's life and well being. The following is a brief description of the 7 categories of colic.

Impaction Colic: 
When the intestine becomes blocked by a mass of food it is called impaction. This can be related to the type of forage fed and amount of water drank. Finer forages have recently been linked to colic and limited water intake inhibits gut motility . A large die-off of internal parasites can also contribute to impaction. This is more common in foals and debilitated horses. Impaction is one of the most common types of colic. It usually resolves relatively easily with appropriate treatment. However, an impaction may be a symptom of a more complex problem.

Gas colic:
Sometimes gas builds up in the intestine. The gas stretches the structure, causing pain. Gas colic is usually less severe than other cases, although it is essential to ensure that there is no underlying reason for the problem.

Spasmodic colic:
Some cases of colic are due to increased intestinal contractions, the abnormal spasms cause the intestines to contract painfully. These cases usually respond well to treatment.

Displacement / torsion (twisted gut):
In a "displacement", a portion of the intestine moves to an abnormal position in the abdomen. A "torsion" occurs when a piece of the intestine twists. The small intestine is suspended from the mesentery (a membrane that attaches to the abdominal cavity) and the unfixed nature of much of the large intestine predispose horses to intestinal displacements and torsions. Except in rare cases, these types of colic cause a total blockage of the intestine and require immediate surgery if the horse is to survive. In some cases, torsion can lead to destruction of a section of the intestine. If this is not removed, infection and toxins will quickly spread throughout the horse's system resulting in death. In the early stages of a displacement/torsion colic, the signs may be similar to those of the less severe types of colic. That is why it is important to take all cases of colic seriously, and to seek veterinary advice at an early stage.

Enteritis / colitis:
Some cases of abdominal pain are due to inflammation of the small (enteritis) or large (colitis) intestines. These are serious medical cases and require immediate veterinary attention.

Gastric distension / rupture:
When a horse gorges itself on grain or, even more seriously, a substance which expands, the contents of the stomach can swell. The horse's small stomach and its inability to vomit means that in these circumstances the stomach may burst. Once this has happened death is inevitable. If you suspect that your horse may have gorged itself on concentrate feeds, seek veterinary advice immediately.

"Unknown":
In many cases of colic it is impossible to determine the exact cause of the pain. Symptomatic treatment, close monitoring and attention to any adverse developments usually lead to resolution of the problem.

 

• allow as much turnout as possible
• establish a regular feeding and exercise schedule
• ensure constant access to clean water
• provide at least 60% of digestible energy from forage
• do not feed moldy hay or grain
• feed hay and water before grain
• provide access to forage for as much of the day as possible
• do not over graze pastures
• limit water intake and do not feed overheated horses
• make all changes in diet, exercise level and management slowly
• control intestinal parasites and assess your deworming program's efficiency periodically
• feed only what the horse needs
• limit carbohydrate intake
• divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller feedings
• 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 feeding directly on the ground, especially in sandy soils
• reduce stress - horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk of intestinal dysfunction.
• closely monitor animals when transporting or changing surroundings, such as at shows
• observe foaling mares pre- and postpartum for any signs of colic.
• Pay close attention to any horses with a past history of colic
• maintain accurate records of management, feeding practices, and health to provide to your vet
   

What to do Until Your Vet Arrives

• Record your horse's temperature, pulse and respiration rates.
• Make note of appetite and the consistency and frequency of defecation in the 24-48 hours prior to colic
• Note any changes or abnormalities in water intake.
• Check gums for pink (normal) color.
• Think about any unusual foods that your horse may have had recent access to, if any medications have been administered, and whether there have been any changes in management.
• Remove feed and water.
•  Keep your 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.
• If the horse is rolling, thrashing, or otherwise in obvious pain, attempt to walk him slowly.
• Do not administer drugs unless specifically directed to do so by your veterinary. Drugs may camouflage problems and interfere with diagnosis.
• Follow your veterinarian's advice and await their arrival.

Summary
Any horse is at risk to colic. Age, sex, and breed differences in susceptibility seem to be insignificant. Keeping your horse on a scheduled program for feeding, exercise and deworming are the keys to preventing colic. Making changes slowly and limiting stress are important in reducing digestive upset. Feeding a high forage and low concentrate diet in several small meals per day promote healthy gut motility. All of these things are important factors when considering the cause of your horse's colic.

Colic can become life threatening at any time and therefore should not be ignored. Consult with your veterinary for more information on emergency care preparedness. Most important, understanding colic and its prevention helps us to provide beneficial care and maintenance that has the potential to reduce and control colic.