Colic Aftercare and Prevention

Colic Aftercare

After your horse has been treated for colic it is important to monitor signs carefully. Note attitude, water intake, passage of manure (consistency and amount) and gas, urination, gut sounds, gum color (pink is normal), hydration (check gum moisture and skin pinch on point of shoulder), and temperature (less than 101.5 F). Look for any signs of discomfort such as pawing at the ground, looking or kicking at the belly, a distended or tucked-up abdomen, lying down frequently or rolling. If your horse is exhibiting signs of discomfort, please call us immediately.

Most horses drink 8-10 gallons of water per day during the summer and 6-8 gallons during the winter. Horses that colic usually have a reduced water intake that may last several days. Warm, clean water should be provided for your horse - if the horse does not drink, try providing a bucket of flavored water in addition to the bucket of fresh water. Your can flavor a five gallon bucket with 2 tablespoons salt, 1/8 cup of molasses or 1 can frozen apple juice concentrate or carrot juice or Gatorade. If your horse is comfortable, but not drinking the plain or flavored water, another way to hydrate your horse is to make a dilute bran mash (bran is purchased at a feed store or at some supermarkets). If your horse likes bran, mix 2 cups wheat bran in 1 gallon of warm water in a flat plastic container and stir it well. If your horse will not eat it, try starting with a thicker mash and then add water as your horse eats it. Apple pieces, molasses, 1tsp. salt and/or applesauce can also be added for flavor. This can be given 2-3 times daily. If you are unable to get your horse to consume fluids or if the skin pinch test is very slow, please call us immediately. It is important for your horse to drink and pass several gallons of manure before resuming the feeding of significant amounts of hay. Do not feed grain for several days following a colic episode unless otherwise directed.

If your horse is drinking water and passing significant amounts of manure, feed approximately one quarter the normal volume of morning hay. Gradually increase the volume of hay fed over the next few feedings, continuing to monitor water intake and manure. Walking your horse for 5-10 minutes per hour will help improve gut motility as well as attitude. Fresh pasture grasses is a good laxative; allowing short periods of grazing during these walks is beneficial. Do not hesitate to call us with any questions or concerns.

If your horse has had an episode of sand colic, it is very important that your horse continues to receive 2-3 cups of psyllium daily for at least 6 weeks to prevent recurrence. Metamucil only contains a relatively small amount of psyllium and is not a good substitute for pure psyllium. Some horses resist eating psyllium. Adding molasses, applesauce, corn syrup, honey, apple or carrot pieces, or grain will sometimes encourage them to eat it. Check your horse's manure several times as described on the next page for sand before discontinuing psyllium treatment.

Checking manure for Sand

• Collect the equivalent of one full stool. Make sure that you do not collect any dirt or sand from the ground with the sample.
• Place the sample in a large bucket and add enough water to completely fill the bucket, then dissolve the sample thoroughly.
• After a few moments pour off three quarters of the top liquid and dissolved manure, then add water to re-dilute. Repeat this process several times until you are left with just sand at the bottom of the container.
• If the sample contains greater than one half teaspoon of sand per stool sample, this suggests that your horse is carrying a significant amount of sand and requires treatment. A small amount of sand is normal.
• Some horses carrying significant amounts of sand will pass it in the stool only intermittently. We suggest feeding 2 cups psyllium daily for 2 days prior to checking for sand, and checking several samples for each horse.

Prevention of Colic

• Split daily feed into at least 2 meals per day (3-4 is ideal).
• Consult your veterinarian about parasite control. Deworm at least every 6 weeks.
• Provide fresh, clean water - warm it on very cold days.
• Don't feed on the ground. Feed your horse in a stall with a dry floor mat if at all possible.
• Make any diet changes gradually, over several days.
• Avoid stemmy or coarse hay, especially in older horses and miniature horses.
• Feed the minimum amount of grain necessary for your horse's condition and exercise level.
• Exercise regularly - turn horses out into a paddock or pasture as much as possible.
• Schedule annual dental exams.
• Feed 2-3 scoops of psyllium pellets or granules for 1 week per month..

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