Treating equine colic

Once the veterinarian arrives at your house, he or she will check the horse's vital signs--heart rate, intestinal motility, eyes, nose and mouth, temperature and droppings. An elevated heart rate and irregular sounds in the intestines (e.g. the left side has gurgling, but the right side has no sound), and if the horse exhibits any signs and symptoms of colic as described in my earlier post, the vet may suspect equine colic. Among the various treatments, a vet may do one or more of the following things to alleviate colic in horses:

1. Using a long, lubricated plastic glove, the vet may perform a rectal probe, if possible, to remove impacted feces, and to feel for solid lumps, lesions or obstructions that may be causing your horse distress or colic. Oddly, many sick horses don't seem to mind the rectal exam, which often acts as an enema. If the feces appear surrounded in mucous, it might mean that the blockage has been building up for a while. If the horse has a temperature, it may suggest irritation, or perforation of the intestinal wall, in which case, many vets will start the horse on a course of antibiotics. (horse colic remedy)

2. The vet may inject the horse with a pain relieving prescription drug like Banamine, that is used to help a horse with equine colic to feel better. Veterinarians are careful about using this drug, because it may hide the symptoms of colic--that is, the horse feels better, but still has colic, and needs time to recover before going back to its ordinary work and feed schedule. (treatment for pain in colicky horses--equine colic)

3. Veterinarians sometimes decide to tube drench the horse with mineral oil. Using a long plastic tube, the vet inserts one end down the horse's nose, into it's stomach. Then about a gallon of mineral oil is pumped into the animal's stomach. Eventually, the oil works its way through the intestine and hopefully pushes the blocked mass out. Some people insert a tube rectally and pump mineral oil that way. However, many veterinarians eschew this practice, because the blockage needs to be pushed out of the intestine from the other direction, which makes sense, if you think about it. (horse colic reduction)

4. The veterinarian may advise that you feed your horse wet grass if possible, or hay that has been soaked in water for a while, if nothing better is available. Grass has a laxative effect. Most likely, grain and dry hay will be withheld. Salt and plenty of water will be strongly encouraged.

5. The vet may advise you to walk the horse every hour or so to get the bowels moving. Sometimes a ride in a horse trailer helps. Don't over exert or over stress the horse.

Hopefully, one or more of these measures will correct the condition. If the colic is not correctible by any of these measures, your vet will probably have to move to more aggressive treatments.

signs, symptoms of colic in horses

Colic in horses is a leading cause of equine death. Horse colic requires immediate veterinary attention. Don't risk a horse from equine colic by postponing your veterinary call about horse colic!!

Common symptoms of colic in horses:

These are some of the most common signs of colic in horses:

The signs and symptoms of colic in horses can be subtle. Some of the following activities are normal equine behavior, but they are worth watching as they can be warning signs for equine colic too. A colicky horse might:

1. roll or thrash around repeatedly. (equine colic symptom)

2. get up and down repeatedly.(equine colic symptom)

3. be lying down in a pasture when all of the other horses are standing.(equine colic symptom)

4. nip at its belly, or kick at its belly with its hind leg repeatedly.(equine colic symptom)

5. repeatedly paw at the ground or stretch out as if it wants to urinate. (equine colic symptom)

6. curl up its upper lip repeatedly or turn its head to look at its stomach.(equine colic symptom)

7. appear droopy, with head down, and troubled or listless looking eyes.(equine colic symptom)

8. refuse to eat, or at least seem to have lost its appetite. (equine colic symptom)

9. have pale gums and pale inner eyelids. Most normal horses have pale pink gums and inner eyelids. If the horse's gums and eyelids look white or grayish, suspect problems.(equine colic symptom)

10. be sweaty, and have an elevated temperature. Most horses have a temperature of about 99-101 degrees farenheit. (equine colic symptom)

11. has trouble moving its bowels, or its droppings are less than usual, or different-runny, hard or small, etc. These can all indicate intestinal trouble or colic in horses. The horse may also try to urinate frequently. (equine colic symptom)

12. has swollen eyes and appear in distress.


If the horse shows signs or symptoms of equine colic, call your veterinarian. Be sure to give any relevant details.

While waiting for the vet to arrive, it is usually advisable to take away any grain from the horse. Some vets recommend that the horse be allowed water and hay or grass, but check with the vet before you give it these things or anything. Many veterinarians won't want you to give the horse any food at all. Be sure to ask before you offer feed.

Some vets recommend that you walk the horse till he or she gets there. Walking can often alleviate the intestinal pain of a colicky horse.

Here is a good link to look at to find out more about the symptoms, causes and treatments for colic in horses: http://www.liv.ac.uk/equinecolic/

Horse blankets

Does a horse need a horse blanket in winter? There is more than one correct answer to this question, depending on several factors: the age and condition of horse, the climate, and use of the horse, to name a few.

Horses in the wild as well as many domestic horses live all their lives happily without horse blankets, even in climates where temperatures drop below freezing. Generally, horse grow a longer thicker coat in winter than in summer. This is often enough to keep them warm, as long as they are well fed, so that they will have sufficient body fat to insulate themselves, and have some kind of windbreak or shelter to get out of icy rain and snow, and away from cold drafts and winds. These horses probably do not need horse blankets.

Horse blankets are good for horses that have been clipped for winter riding or showing purposes, and for fragile horses that need extra protection. This might mean very old horses that have trouble maintaining enough weight to insulate themselves, or for very young horses.

Horse blankets have been known to retard winter hair growth. This might be desirable for horses that are ridden heavily in winter time. A long heavy coat takes much longer to dry if a horse is sweaty and hot than does a short coat. The horse with a long winter coat might catch a chill after a hard workout in winter if its coat doesn't dry soon enough.

If you decide to blanket your horse, be sure that the horse blanket fits properly, as you would not like the horse to get tangled in the horse blanket. Also, be sure that the horse blanket is not left on the horse if it gets wet. A soaked horse blanket is uncomfortable and unhealthy, just as your coat would be if it got soaked.

To make the right decision about whether or not to use a horse blanket for your horse in winter time, consult your veterinarian and professional horse people in your area. Take note of how they care for their own horses in winter. Ask them whether and what kind of horse blankets they use.

4H Horse Camp 08

Here are some pictures from horse camp. It was a fun weekend, with about 50 kids, and 5 or 6 trainers, as well as other horse experts--horseshoers, feed specialists, horse massage people, etc. It was an action packed weekend, lessons going all the time. Luckily, no one got hurt this year. One or two horses had minor injuries from acting up in their stalls, but other than that, they all behaved. Perhaps it was because the weather was in the '90s with high humidity. The felt too lethargic to play tricks.

Horse Injuries and Illnesses part 1

Horse Injuries and Illnesses:

Rule Number One

Never risk your own life or safety to save a horse. A horse that is injured or seriously ill can be disoriented or panic stricken and can unexpectedly or accidentally lash out at its owner. All horses, including well trained, normally gentle horse can be out of control when in severe pain. Horses are beautiful and noble animals, but any good trainer will tell you not to endanger yourself for a horse, even a valuable one. Horses can be replaced. Your life and health cannot.

Serious Emergencies

Horses are generally healthy durable animals that recover quickly from wounds and illnesses either naturally, or with appropriate treatment. When something bad happens, sometimes it is hard to judge whether immediate attention from a veterinarian is needed, or whether the complaint is minor.

Several points to remember before calling the vet:

Always keep the phone number of your veterinarian close at hand. When possible, have a back-up vet’s number in case yours is out of town. When you call the vet, identify yourself clearly and state the problem simply. If you reach an answering machine, state whether you think the problem is life-threatening or not.

About wounds-- most veterinarians prefer that you do not apply dressings, powders or topicals until you have checked with them. However, it is usually all right to hose off the wound with cold water. You may need to do this if the wound is covered with dirt or blood. You may also need to do this to see how deep the wound is, or how rapidly it bleeds.

With regards to illnesses or injuries, most veterinarians prefer that you do not feed or give the horse medicines orally or by injections before contacting them. The vet may need to tranquilize your horse to suture a wound, and may prefer that the horse not eat or drink for that reason.

Emergencies requiring immediate veterinary attention

The following are serious emergencies that you should definitely call your vet RIGHT AWAY about:

1. If the horse is bleeding profusely from a wound: This means if blood is gushing from the wound. (While you, or someone calls the vet, have someone apply pressure with a cloth firmly against the wound and if possible, try to stop the bleeding. Be careful! The horse might be frightened, or in pain. Get help!!). When you get the bleeding to stop, you might rinse the wound with cold water, and apply ice packs till the vet arrives, unless otherwise instructed. The wound might need stitches. Probably, the vet will ask you if your horse has had a tetanus booster recently, and may want to apply antiseptics or antibiotics.

2. Colic—this is an intestinal disorder, a cramping or kinking of the intestine. It can be very serious, or fatal if uncorrected. Sometimes it is hard to recognize colic in a horse. If you notice your horse acting differently than usual, pay attention. If you notice that your horse is lying down, (and doesn’t usually do this) but the other horses are all standing, be suspicious. If your horse repeatedly gets up, and then lies down and starts to roll, be more suspicious. If your horse keeps nipping or kicking at his stomach with his hind leg, and swatting his tail repeatedly, keep your eye on him. Colic is caused by many things, and some horses are more prone to this disorder than others. A change in diet, or weather, too much feed, or too much cold water or feed after a hard work out can trigger colic. Cribbing or bad hay or musty feed might cause colic. Call the vet if you suspect colic. The vet will ask you about the horse’s behavior and droppings, how long you have noticed the problem and so forth. Try to be observant.

Ask the vet if you should walk the horse around while waiting for him to arrive. Sometimes this helps.

If your horse has chronic colic, try to find out why. Your vet may prescribe or recommend a product to help in the future. But remember, prevention is the best remedy.

(To be continued.)

Horse Emergencies

Several points to remember before calling the vet:

Always keep the phone number of your veterinarian close at hand, and when possible, have a back-up vet’s number in case yours is out of town. When you do call the vet, remember to identify yourself clearly and to state the problem simply. If you reach an answering machine, state whether you think the problem is life threatening or not.

With regards to wounds, most veterinarians prefer that you do not apply dressings, powders or topicals until you have checked with them. However, it is usually all right to hose off the wound with cold water. You may need to do this if the wound is covered with dirt or blood. If blood is gushing out rapidly and copiously, you may need to apply pressure or icepacks. If you can't reach the vet, call a knowledgeable horse trainer, breeder, shoer--someone who knows how to deal with livestock emergencies. Try to get help fast.

With regards to illnesses or injuries, most veterinarians prefer that you do not feed or give the horse medicines orally or by injections before contacting them.

Finally, be careful. An injured horse may be frightened and in pain. He may lash out or react violently, or even fall on you. Try to help him if you can, but keep yourself safe. There's no point in both of you being injured.

My rule of thumb about calling the vet: better safe than sorry.

choosing the right horse for you

This pony is 25 years old, but a good child's pony. He is very wise and patient and has trained many young riders. He tends to eat too much. A lot of ponies are like that. When you are starting out with horses, you should try to get one that is quiet and well trained, and a good size for you--not too big or too small. An older horse is generally preferable, though not always. It depends on how well the horse has been trained, and also on its particular temperament. Get an experienced horse person to help you find a good horse. Don't reject a horse because it is old.