What causes colic in horses
Colic in babies may just be an ordinary occurrence for their parents. After all, colic happens to almost everybody and after getting used to the screaming and the shouting and the crying, the illness will be as normal as eating and sleeping.
The same cannot be said of colic in horses. Yes. Horses also get colicky. In fact, this is considered as a nightmare for every horse-keeper because it can really become serious when not attended immediately. For while some horses respond to therapy and medical treatment, most will deteriorate even after being treated by a veterinarian.
Like babies when they get colicky, horses will also be screaming and crying. That will be all right if they do not add pacing and stamping, which could not only endanger other people who go near them but also themselves. Horses risk serious injury when they are at this kind of situation. Because of the pain, they do not know what they are doing, short of destroying the whole barn if they can.
What’s happening?
Colic is actually very common. In fact, every horse-lover, horse breeder and horse rider will have come across the term one way or the other. References would have been made in various equine books and digests. Colic is considered as an equine emergency because of the way horses react to the problem due to a painful abdomen. They can really get wild.
There are several types of colic in horses. The first one is the spasmodic colic or that which arises from excessive gas. This is the less severe type. The other one is the obstructive colic, which is often caused by obstructions in some parts of their body. This may be in the form of displacements or twists in their muscles.
It can also be caused by impactions in the intestines or in the large colons. Often, this will require treatment, either with oil and a medicine or in other more severe cases, fluid therapy. Another type of colic is caused by overeating while another type is caused by worms.
What can happen?
As mentioned above, colic in horses can get really serious. This is because they are not structured the way humans are. They are not also “wired” the way we are; so there are things that we can do that they cannot. Here are some of them.
Building it up
Since horses cannot cope with the pressure in their stomach. Unlike humans, they cannot vomit. The pressure will then be bottled up inside and build up as time pass. This will cause distention, which will require decompression.
Anatomically impossible Horses are built with small anatomical parts. There are narrow areas in their bodies , particularly in the digestive systems that can cause impactions and obstructions.
Backward movements
The processes in their digestive systems also have these backward movements, which can exacerbate the condition when an impaction occurs.
Blood thirsty
The road where their blood travels through is so long and narrow that impactions can occur. It also has a lot of twists and turns that it is not surprising that they are susceptible to obstructions. When this happens, the horse can die because blood flow will stop and supply of oxygen to the heart will cease.
Worm-sensitive
Horses are very sensitive to the bacteria that come into their bodies especially those that go into their intestines. The bacteria balance in their bodies is so sensitive that a change in their food or in the supplements that they take in can cause disruptions.
What to do when there is horse colic
Unlike with human babies, colic in horses can become really serious. In fact, it is considered as an emergency because of the potential damage that it can do to the horses. Even when treated immediately, only some will respond to treatment and medication. The condition of most will only deteriorate.
Colic in horses, like in humans, is pinpointed to a problem in the digestive system. Horses will feel pain in their abdomen, which can cause them to act wild. Horses who are suffering from colic will also cry and shout. They will also prance and buck wherever they are. This may cause injuries to themselves and also to the people who go near them.
There are several types of colic in horses. One is a colic caused by a problem with gas. This is called spasmodic colic. Another type is caused by obstructions in some parts of the body, particularly in the colon or in the intestines, where the structure is a lot narrower compared to other species. Often, impactions like this in different parts of their bodies will require treatment, from something as simple as oil and medication to fluid therapy, depending on the severity of the problem. Other types that horse lovers and owners should watch out for are colics brought on by overeating and those caused by worms.
Signs of colic in horses
There are many signs of colic in horses, primary of this is the apparent restlessness and abrupt loss of appetite. Like babies, they will also be grouchy and fitful. Appetite is one of the most important things that horse owners should observe as this can be frequently overlooked. Another possible sign of colic is that the horse will become restless at one time and listless the other time. They will unusually be lacking in energy and will be lying down for a period of time. Other times, they will be at their most active.
This is when the colic is already in its advanced form and the horse can no longer bear the pain. They will tart to paw, prance, and kick the belly. They will be looking at their sides often, and rolling their upper lip. Some will also be jerking their tails, stretching their legs and going from one place to another, unable to rest.
In severe instances, they can get so wild that they will throw themselves down and assume positions that are so unnatural. They will groan and roll and paw. Although sometimes, horses can be mighty moody sometimes, all these happening at the same period of time, recurring more than twice should already sound the alarm bells especially if the behavior is so unlike your horse’s temperament.
What to do
The first thing that you should do if you suspect colic in your horse is to not panic. This advice can be hard to take in when your horse is tearing the barn down with their wild behavior. But panic will not accomplish anything. You need a clear mind to deal with the problem. Besides, the feelings of panic will only be picked up by your horse, thereby exacerbating their own worries and fears.
The next thing that you should do is to call the veterinarian. Ask for assistance and do not attempt to solve it by yourself or to wait until the condition improves. Remember that colic is a serious matter and should be treated as soon as possible.
Eating Manure – Natural or Not?
Well if you’re a youngun eating Mom’s fresh manure is normal. It’s called coprohagia and it gets the foal’s digestive system in working order.
The manure provides “starter” bacteria baby needs for the system of fermentation and digestion that allows his intestinal tract to handle solid food. In addition, the environmental bacteria in the manure stimulates the foal’s immune system, reducing the chances he’ll get sick as he gets older. If it’s fresh manure, there is less of a chance the foal will be infected by his dam’s parasites, as the eggs need to pass through to maturation in the manure before they’re infective. In any event, you will be making sure baby is wormed properly as well.
This behavior usually ceases by the time the foal is five months of age. But if you see this happening in adult horses, then alarm bells should be going off in your head. If your adult horse is eating manure it has become a habit – and a very hard one to break. If it is a habit, then it usually has to do with inappropriate feeding, boredom and/or a lack of exercise.
It seems studies have been done that show if a horse is not getting enough roughage he may eat his own manure just for something to do. The same studies say it’s extremely important and necessary for a horse to use his lips, picking through grasses and other kinds of forage. If there’s not enough forage, he’ll start using his lips, picking through and eating manure. Ewwwww! Well, yes indeed. There are other reasons for them eating manure though.
If a horse has been ill, and antibiotics have been used, the drugs may have killed off the good bacteria, present in the gut of all horses that help prevent invasion by harmful bacteria or fungi. Eating manure may help the horse replenish the good bacteria. If the eating manure just doesn’t do it for you then try feeding probiotics. They’re a source of live naturally occurring microorganisms. Bottom line? Always make sure your horse has enough forage to keep him happy, healthy and munching. Horses are grazers and if you have them in a pen all day with nothing to eat in between morning and evening feedings, you’re asking for trouble. Also make sure they have something to do and aren’t standing all day doing nothing. A horse is a highly social animal and needs the company and companionship of other horses.
Arthritis and the Older Horse – Remedies
There are a variety of home remedies or treatments you can use for your senior horse companion if he is having a lot of pain and inflammation with his arthritis. And several of them can be done at the same time. The thing to remember is that your horse is an individual and may not take too kindly to some treatments, and be just fine with others. Treat them accordingly and go with the flow.
If his joints are really swollen and painful and the Vet has suggested he be confined for a 24 hour or longer period, either use a box stall with lots of cushy hay or a small turn out pen with lots of soft grass underfoot. If your horse is herd sour and pitches a fit when out of sight of its buddy, put the buddy someplace close. The last thing you want is your sore horse to be fretting and pacing more trying to find his friend.
You can try using a flexible ice pack or even a bag of frozen peas tucked in a towel on the swollen joint for 5 minutes. Remove for 15 minutes, repeat 3 times in a row. If you can wrap the joint, then try a standing bandage to help reduce swelling and inflammation. You can also try Neo-Ice Equine bandages or an ice gel that provides deep penetrating action to help reduce edema and inflammation.
Since he’ll just get as stiff as all get out if left standing in a stall, take him out twice a day and hand walk him. Remove his bandage first then walk for about 15 minutes to get limber. When you take him back to his stall or pen, rewrap the bandage. Every day gradually increase his exercise. You will need to do this about four times a day as he progresses and then also reduce the length of time he is to be confined to about half the original period of time.
You’ll be doing controlled exercises like hand-walking, ponying at a walk or slow trot or riding at a walk or slow trot. These all depend on what condition your senior is in, so use your discretion. If the swelling comes back, you need to slow down.
If there is no swelling an hour after the exercise session(s) you should be able to turn your senior back out into this regular pasture and then slowly get back into an easy exercise program. If however there is swelling, you will need to call your Veterinarian to re-evaluate the situation.