Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: How to Prevent and Care for a Horse with Colic Problems

If you own a horse, colic is likely a condition
you will have to deal with at some point.
Studies have shown that up to ten percent of all
domestic horses experience some form of colic
each year. But what many will not know is that
colic is, in truth, only a symptom of one of many
forms gastrointestinal distress your horse may
encounter. The word "colic" really only means
"abdominal pain". Fortunately, it is not too
hard to recognize a colicky horse and treat it
quickly.

Some of the signs that your horse might be
suffering from colic are:

- Rolling
- Lying down
- Trying to kick at her abdomen
- Appear agitated and pawing the ground constantly
- Repeatedly standing up and lying down
- Trying to stretch itself out

Without the help of a veterinarian, it may be
very difficult to ascertain just what is causing
your horse's abdominal pain. There are
certainly types of colic that do not require
veterinary attention, but if your horse appears
to be in great pain (a horse will usually act
violently if in great pain) then it is likely
time to call the veterinarian.

Your veterinarian is likely to ask certain
questions to help in the assessment and
treatment. You may be asked to take your horse's
temperature or to monitor her breathing and heart
rate. Be prepared to answer your veterinarian
questions such as your horse's appetite, water
intake, and whether she has taken any medication
or unknown food. You will also be told to remove
all food from the horse's reach, and this may
include her bedding if she tries to eat that.

When the veterinarian arrives he or she will
attempt to treat the horse and figure out just
what is causing the colic. There is a long list
of potential causes, but some are more common
than others:

- Tapeworms and roundworms can grow to a large
number and obstruct the intestines.
- Horses who are either fed infrequently or given
concentrated foods are more likely to get ulcers
which can be painful for them.
- Foreign bodies such as sand, called
"Enteroliths", can obstruct bowel movements.
- Food might also become impacted in the bowel,
causing an obstruction.
- Certain foodstuffs could also be to blame.
Moldy foodstuffs for example are commonly the
cause of a gas colic, wherein a large volume of
gas builds up in the intestines.

Fortunately there are a number of measures you
can take to help prevent colic in your horse.
Clean drinking water and a clean feed surface are
essential for keeping unwanted objects from being
ingested. You can prevent sand, dirt and gravel
from ending up in your horse feed by simply
raising it above ground level.

It is advisable to take good care of your horse's
teeth and deworm her as required to avoid worms
from developing. It is a good idea to draw up a
schedule of regular care involving dental care,
deworming, checkups, and regular feeding.
Feeding horses at irregular timing will increase
their chances of getting colic.

Many veterinarians will recommend regular turnout
for your horse, as some studies have shown that
extensive grazing time will reduce the incidence
of colic dramatically. The logic behind this
idea is that horses, in their natural setting,
will graze for around eighteen hours each day.
Reasonably, colic in wild horses is much more
infrequent occurrence, as this would have been
selected against evolutionarily.

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