Health & Nutrition > Diseases & Conditions > Colic & Digestive Health
Colic & Digestive Health
SmartPak strongly encourages you to consult your veterinarian regarding specific questions about your horse's health. This information is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease, and is purely educational.
Brief Description
Colic in horses is abdominal pain that may be caused by a number of different problems. It is a common and potentially fatal condition that horse owners should try to prevent through proven management strategies. There are several recognized types of colic, including:
- Impaction
- Gas or spasmodic colic
- Intestinal strangulation (twist)
- Stomach rupture
- Enteritis (inflammation of the intestines)
- Idiopathic (unknown cause)
The American Association of Equine Practitioners lists the following as signs of colic:
- Pawing
- Looking at, kicking or biting the abdomen
- Stretching out as if to urinate
- Repeatedly lying down and getting up
- Rolling
- Sitting in a dog-like position or lying on the back
- Not eating or drinking
- Lack of bowel movements
- Absent or reduced digestive sounds
- Elevated respiration or heart rate
- Sweating
- Depression
- Lip curling (Flehman response)
Supplements that May Lend Support
Because there are many causes of colic, there are many supplements that may help reduce a horse’s risk. If you live in a sandy area, Psyllium is recommended to help move sand out of the gastrointestinal tract so it does not accumulate. Digestive supplements that provide prebiotics, probiotics, yeast and/or digestive enzymes may help maintain regularity of the digestive system. Hindgut buffers are excellent choices for horses that colic from starch overload, either from diets high in grain, introduction to fresh grass, or sudden change in diet. To prevent impaction colic, encourage the horse to drink more water by feeding salt or a complete electrolyte supplement. Daily dewormers may also prevent colic by protecting the horse’s gastrointestinal tract from the inflammation and scarring caused by the migration and encysting of strongyles.
Possible Diagnostic Tests
Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination that may include palpating the abdomen through the rectum and passing a tube into the stomach. Bloodwork, a “belly tap,” x-ray (radiography) or ultrasound may also be performed to determine the cause and severity.
Prescription Medications Available
Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) is commonly used to relieve the pain of colic. In mild cases, this may be all the horse needs. However, some horses may require mineral oil, fluids or other prescription medications such as Buscopan or xylazine. Severe colics may require surgery.
Other Management Suggestions
Diet
Make any changes to the diet gradually. This includes not only switching grains, but also switching hays and introducing horses to new or different pastures.
Housing
Because increased stall time is a risk factor for colic, keep your horse turned out as much as possible.
Activity
Both increases and decreases in activity can lead to colic, so make changes in your horse’s exercise routine gradually and try to follow a schedule of regular, controlled exercise.
Preventive Care
Parasite control, dental care and sound nutrition will reduce your horse’s risk of developing colic.
Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian
- Why did my horse colic?
- Is he likely to colic again, especially if he has surgery?
- Are there any medications I should have on hand in case of colic?
Additional Resources
Further Reading for You
From our site:
Colic Prevention: Proven tips to reduce risk
Dealing with Colic Pains
- Colic in Horses, February 2008
- Colic Surgery Comes Down to Finances, April 2007
- Getting through Colic, December 2003
Further Reading for Your Veterinarian
Shirazi-Beechey SP. Molecular insights into dietary induced colic in the horse. Equine Vet J. 2008 Apr 21.
Mair TS, White NA. The creation of an international audit and database of equine colic surgery: Survey of attitudes of surgeons. Equine Vet J. 2008 Feb 29.
Hudson JM, Cohen ND, Gibbs PG, Thompson JA. Feeding practices associated with colic in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001 Nov 15;219(10):1419-1425.
Archer DC, Proudman CJ. Epidemiological clues to preventing colic. Vet J. 2006 Jul;172(1):29-39.
Archer DC, Pinchbeck GL, Proudman CJ, Clough HE. Is equine colic seasonal? Novel application of a model based approach. BMC Vet Res. 2006 Aug 24;2:27.