Comments on: Reduce the Risk of Colic http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/ The Complete Source for All Things Horse Fri, 25 May 2012 13:14:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: joe http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-15235 joe Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:18:42 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-15235 First - lots of great wisdom here! My horse gets colic-y in June every season. My guess is the paddocks are eatten down some and he loves his clover and only eats that. He does lay down, but I can tell by looking in his eyes that he isnt right. I walk him for an hour...or more...or less......depending on how spunky he is. Then I put him in a separate paddock (usually with a pal) and feed him only the square bale I get for winter. Seems to help. HOWEVER...he tends to get this way hit and miss for a few weeks every year. Any idea what I should be looking for in the paddock to help avoid it? It is a pasture mix planted there. Its a few years old. I have 8 horses but this is the only one who gets colic-y. thanks First – lots of great wisdom here! My horse gets colic-y in June every season. My guess is the paddocks are eatten down some and he loves his clover and only eats that. He does lay down, but I can tell by looking in his eyes that he isnt right. I walk him for an hour…or more…or less……depending on how spunky he is. Then I put him in a separate paddock (usually with a pal) and feed him only the square bale I get for winter. Seems to help.

HOWEVER…he tends to get this way hit and miss for a few weeks every year. Any idea what I should be looking for in the paddock to help avoid it? It is a pasture mix planted there. Its a few years old. I have 8 horses but this is the only one who gets colic-y.
thanks

]]> By: Bill http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-10092 Bill Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:02:06 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-10092 Have you heard about <a href="http://www.photonic-therapy.com/" rel="nofollow">photonic therapy</a>? It seems to be gaining support from people who use it. I understand it was developed by a Vet in Australia and uses red light to stimulate acupuncture points. Have you heard about photonic therapy? It seems to be gaining support from people who use it. I understand it was developed by a Vet in Australia and uses red light to stimulate acupuncture points.

]]> By: Impaction Colic in the Winter – America’s Horse Daily http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-9821 Impaction Colic in the Winter – America’s Horse Daily Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:32:45 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-9821 [...] weather can change drastically from warm to cold in a short period of time. I worry about impaction colic during these times. Can you suggest ways to increase a horse’s water intake when the weather [...] [...] weather can change drastically from warm to cold in a short period of time. I worry about impaction colic during these times. Can you suggest ways to increase a horse’s water intake when the weather [...]

]]> By: Battling Bots – America’s Horse Daily http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-8615 Battling Bots – America’s Horse Daily Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:01:51 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-8615 [...] effects of internal parasites on a horse range from a dull haircoat and unthriftiness to colic and death. Internal parasites lower the horse’s resistance to infection, rob the horse of [...] [...] effects of internal parasites on a horse range from a dull haircoat and unthriftiness to colic and death. Internal parasites lower the horse’s resistance to infection, rob the horse of [...]

]]> By: How Old is Too Old? – America’s Horse Daily http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-8182 How Old is Too Old? – America’s Horse Daily Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:01:39 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-8182 [...] Just like their human counterparts, horses are living longer. Advances in equine health care and nutrition mean that horses are also able to have active, useful lives well into their advanced years. With the increase in longevity comes an increase in the opportunity for colic. [...] [...] Just like their human counterparts, horses are living longer. Advances in equine health care and nutrition mean that horses are also able to have active, useful lives well into their advanced years. With the increase in longevity comes an increase in the opportunity for colic. [...]

]]> By: Debra http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-3315 Debra Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:42:45 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-3315 I live in San Antonio, Texas today heat index is 108. I have a 7 year old gelding, that got colic 11 days ago 9 days after the vet trip he had a relaspe due to the heat. I have strictly limited him to coastal hay. Today he seems alot more ennergetic but the heat worries me. He is consuming mineral/salt blocks like there won't be one tomorrow. I have never seen this horse sick a day in his life and I have owned him from the get go. Nothing changed but the weather. Same pastures same hay same feed etc.... So the question is? Good luck to all with horses and this horrible disease with all who have to deal with it. I live in San Antonio, Texas today heat index is 108. I have a 7 year old gelding, that got colic 11 days ago 9 days after the vet trip he had a relaspe due to the heat. I have strictly limited him to coastal hay. Today he seems alot more ennergetic but the heat worries me. He is consuming mineral/salt blocks like there won’t be one tomorrow. I have never seen this horse sick a day in his life and I have owned him from the get go. Nothing changed but the weather. Same pastures same hay same feed etc…. So the question is? Good luck to all with horses and this horrible disease with all who have to deal with it.

]]> By: Floyd http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-2265 Floyd Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:48:34 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-2265 Many domestic horses colic because they pick up dirt or sand from short pastures and from just being in small pastures and pens. Did you ever notice how a horse will graze on the very short grass even when there is longer grass? They will eat it right at the dirt because it is more tender and the sugar content is higher. There is a product called psyillium that helps horses clean that sand and dirt out of their system(i may not have spelled psyilliun exactly right) but vets and most feed stores know what it is. And our mare that coliced often hasn't coliced in about a year. It was suggested by our vet. Many domestic horses colic because they pick up dirt or sand from short pastures and from just being in small pastures and pens. Did you ever notice how a horse will graze on the very short grass even when there is longer grass? They will eat it right at the dirt because it is more tender and the sugar content is higher.
There is a product called psyillium that helps horses clean that sand and dirt out of their system(i may not have spelled psyilliun exactly right) but vets and most feed stores know what it is. And our mare that coliced often hasn’t coliced in about a year. It was suggested by our vet.

]]> By: Shelby http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-271 Shelby Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:47:42 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-271 I live in Arizona also and one thing we do for weather changes or even extended cold spells is the loose salt because the horses won't drink enough without it. (We do salt blocks as well.) A damp misty cool day or a windy cold day needs a handful of loose salt! I live in Arizona also and one thing we do for weather changes or even extended cold spells is the loose salt because the horses won’t drink enough without it. (We do salt blocks as well.) A damp misty cool day or a windy cold day needs a handful of loose salt!

]]> By: Rene http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-262 Rene Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:17:56 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-262 I just lost my most expensive, best producing broodmare to colic less than 30 days ago. I owned her for several years and she never colicked prior to that. Her intestines were twisted so badly the vet could not get inside to examine her from the rear. I worm the horses, keep them comfortable, free forage, little grain, blanket when needed, etc. But there is one thing I can't control, mother nature. I live in a fairly arid climate. When the weather turns cold and damp, kind of misty wet after a long dry spell, it usually makes someone here colicky, either minor or major. A good rainy downpour doesn't do it, just a damp, misty, cool day. When those days arrive, I just cringe. So, keep in mind the weather changes can be a factor in colic, too. I just lost my most expensive, best producing broodmare to colic less than 30 days ago. I owned her for several years and she never colicked prior to that. Her intestines were twisted so badly the vet could not get inside to examine her from the rear. I worm the horses, keep them comfortable, free forage, little grain, blanket when needed, etc. But there is one thing I can’t control, mother nature.
I live in a fairly arid climate. When the weather turns cold and damp, kind of misty wet after a long dry spell, it usually makes someone here colicky, either minor or major. A good rainy downpour doesn’t do it, just a damp, misty, cool day. When those days arrive, I just cringe. So, keep in mind the weather changes can be a factor in colic, too.

]]> By: Patty http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Patty Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:40:36 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-261 I am from Arizona. It is very dry here. I have never had my horse’s colic. The reason I think is simply this. I drench my hay in water in a wheel barrow before I feed it. Then tip the wheel barrow to get the water out before putting it in their feeder. Both Alfalfa and Bermuda does great when watered up to a half an hour before feeding. The Bermuda actually turns green like it was just cut. It also rinsing a lot of the dirt and dust out too. Do not water Timothy I don't like what it does to it. If you think about it, it is not natural for horses to eat dried out condensed hay. In nature they would eat from live pastures when the grasses have moisture in them. In Arizona we have a lot of colic in horses and I think it is because it is so dry. I also do just the opposite with my horses and feed them a Varity of different feeds (which the vets say be careful of), plus pasture them. I feed Bermuda, Timothy, Alfalfa, Pellets, Sweet feed and a processed grain. I also give them bran mixed with WATER several times a week. I highly agree having your horses turned out (preferably all the time) verses stuck in a stall. It really helps not only their health, but their minds as well. All my horses are turned out 24/7 with the option to walk into their stall at night or in the day to get out of the summer heat (in Arizona). Misters and fans are on in the summer. I had one mare for 23 years and she never colic once here. I have always been told that if a horse is lying down to get them up, that is until the last two years. The vets out here are now saying if they are not rolling; it is OK to leave them down. But I prefer to get them up and moving. I have even got on them bareback and trotted them a bit. You can also give them a enema by putting a hose up their Butt to try to loosen the impaction. I also keep Banimine on hand just in case for our property up north very remotely located from any vets. I am from Arizona. It is very dry here. I have never had my horse’s colic. The reason I think is simply this. I drench my hay in water in a wheel barrow before I feed it. Then tip the wheel barrow to get the water out before putting it in their feeder. Both Alfalfa and Bermuda does great when watered up to a half an hour before feeding. The Bermuda actually turns green like it was just cut. It also rinsing a lot of the dirt and dust out too. Do not water Timothy I don’t like what it does to it.

If you think about it, it is not natural for horses to eat dried out condensed hay. In nature they would eat from live pastures when the grasses have moisture in them. In Arizona we have a lot of colic in horses and I think it is because it is so dry.

I also do just the opposite with my horses and feed them a Varity of different feeds (which the vets say be careful of), plus pasture them. I feed Bermuda, Timothy, Alfalfa, Pellets, Sweet feed and a processed grain. I also give them bran mixed with WATER several times a week.

I highly agree having your horses turned out (preferably all the time) verses stuck in a stall. It really helps not only their health, but their minds as well. All my horses are turned out 24/7 with the option to walk into their stall at night or in the day to get out of the summer heat (in Arizona). Misters and fans are on in the summer. I had one mare for 23 years and she never colic once here.

I have always been told that if a horse is lying down to get them up, that is until the last two years. The vets out here are now saying if they are not rolling; it is OK to leave them down. But I prefer to get them up and moving. I have even got on them bareback and trotted them a bit. You can also give them a enema by putting a hose up their Butt to try to loosen the impaction. I also keep Banimine on hand just in case for our property up north very remotely located from any vets.

]]> By: Lynda Nehr http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-254 Lynda Nehr Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:53:51 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-254 Interesting that you would show a horse standing in front of blooming Canadian Thistle! Good grief, we do everything we can to keep it out of our pastures in Star Valley, WY Interesting that you would show a horse standing in front of blooming Canadian Thistle! Good grief, we do everything we can to keep it out of our pastures in Star Valley, WY

]]> By: Tara http://americashorsedaily.com/reduce-the-risk-of-colic/comment-page-1/#comment-248 Tara Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:44:11 +0000 http://americashorsedaily.com/?p=1201#comment-248 I just read that instead of putting out a salt block and not knowing how much they are eating, if at all, put 2 ozs of salt in their grain at night. My gelding loves his salt block but my mare could care less. Now I know she is getting salt and is drinking plenty. I just read that instead of putting out a salt block and not knowing how much they are eating, if at all, put 2 ozs of salt in their grain at night. My gelding loves his salt block but my mare could care less. Now I know she is getting salt and is drinking plenty.

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