Causes of colic in horses

First of all, colic in horses is pain in the stomach or intestine. If you are reading this because you notice that your horse seems to have stomach or intestinal pain, stop right now, grab your phone and call the vet. Colic is a major cause of death in horses, and kills horses of all ages and types. Even though many times, a case of colic in horses is not life-threatening, some types of colic can progress rapidly without treatment and the horse can die.

The following things can cause or lead to colic in horses:

1. Too much grain at one feeding (never give a horse more than 5 lbs. of grain at one feeding)

2. Feeding or watering too soon after riding. Horse colic can result if the horse is too hot, and starts to eat or drink. Cool the horse down and let it rest before feeding.

3. Grazing on an overgrazed or bare pasture. Sand can build up in the horse's gut and cause colic

4. Not enough water. The horse's intestine can get impacted with food if the horse isn't getting enough water through its system. In cold weather, horses drink less if the water is cold. Try to warm the water by using a stock tank heater.

5. Too much green grass all at once. Introduce the horse to pasture gradually. Start with an hour at a time. Letting the horse overindulge on rich pasture can cause colic in horses.

6. Rapid changes in weather temperatures.

7. A horse being confined in a stall or small area with too much feed and not enough exercises can cause horse colic.

These are just a few things that can make a horse sick. Try to avoid them. Horse colic is a terrible condition and you want to avoid it all costs.

5.