By Dodson & Horrell Marketing Executive, Evie Tomkins BSc(Hons) and Nutritional Manager, Emma Nissler BSc(Hons), ANutr
One of the most worrying calls an owner can get is “I think they have colic, you need to call the vet.” With there being so many variations of colic, ranging in severity, it is one of those words that all horse owners dread to hear.
Colic can occur at any time of the year, however, there is often an increase in cases and the possibility of colic during more specific times.
What is colic?
Colic refers to abdominal pain in horses and there are various types – the most common types of colic being spasmodic, gas and impaction.
Spasmodic colic occurs when the bowel contracts abnormally and causes painful spasms – this is typically seen following a sudden dietary change (such as moving fields or switching hard feed).
Gas colic is caused by a build up of gas in the intestine and causes discomfort. This can be caused by dietary changes and can also be secondary to impaction colic.
Impaction colic is caused by a blockage in the digestive system which causes discomfort and can vary in severity.
What are the signs of colic?
Typical signs of colic include:
· Restlessness – such as lying down and getting back up repeatedly
· Looking at/ kicking/ biting their sides
· Change in appetite and drinking behaviour
· Sweating
· Increased heart and/ or breathing rate
· Change in droppings (small and hard balls, or very loose dropping or no droppings at all)
It is important to always call your vet as soon as your horse shows signs of colic, as it’s crucial to resolve it as fast as possible.
Colic and colder weather:
Winter usually creates changes in your horse’s day-to-day routine and as a result, can increase the risk of digestive disturbance that can lead to colic.
Dehydration/ decrease in water intake can increase the risk of impaction colic. If your horse has reduced turnout or is reluctant to drink cold water, their reduced water intake can lead to blockages in the digestive tract.
Change of feed, grass or fibre: sometimes it is hard to avoid changing elements of your horse’s diet, especially through winter when pasture relocation is sometimes necessary for access to grass, or a change in forage supply is needed. Horses can still be prone to gas or spasmodic colic even in winter, so you still need to ensure any dietary changes are made gradually to reduce the risks.
Reduced movement: some days it can be impossible to get your horse out and about safely if there is snow, ice, high winds or flooding (all of which are not unheard of during winter in the UK!). Regular movement aids digestion by increasing gastrointestinal motility (the movement of food through the digestive tract) and as a result, reduces the risk of impaction colic.
Poor dentition - ensure your horse can properly chew their fibres and feed – if you have an older horse with dental issues, it may be best to look for a forage replacement that can be soaked. Poorly chewed food can also lead to impaction colic.
Overheating – as much as we may be wearing multiple layers to the yard, it is crucial that you do not over rug your horse. By doing so, you will affect their ability to regulate their own body temperature which can cause stress and can even cause colic.
What can you do to reduce the risk of colic in winter?
Ensure they stay hydrated – offer them water which is slightly warm as they will be more tempted to drink water that is not close to freezing. Providing a supplementary mash which can be made with extra water (like a soup!) is a great way to increase water intake.
Make all dietary changes gradually – even if it is a changeover of hay supplier! If you are changing your horse over to a different field, a slow introduction is key, as they may gorge on the grass if it offers more than their previous field (try limiting turnout and slowly increasing their time spent in the field!)
Increase movement as much as possible – ideally your horse should be moving around the field daily, where this isn’t always possible, some movement is better than none. A short in-hand walk will aid digestion and can reduce the risk of impaction colic if your horse is stuck in the stable all day due to bad weather.
Ensure you are providing the correct nutrition for your horse, in the most suitable form. A horse should have a complete diet of forage and grazing, with a source of essential vitamins and minerals to provide what they don’t receive from forage and grazing. There are various feeds on the market, from low-intake balancers for the good doer, to mashes suitable for older horses with dental challenges, to high-energy feeds for performance horses (and everything in between!). If you’re stuck for what’s most suitable, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, our expert nutritionists are always on hand to help!
Rug your horse accordingly and make sure they are not over rugged – check for signs of discomfort, sweating, increased breathing or heart rate.
Provide a variety of fibre sources – as a non-ruminant herbivore, horses have adapted to survive on a high roughage (fibre) diet. They roamed poor-quality grasslands and would graze periodically throughout the day and night, eating small amounts regularly. Being hindgut fermenters means that most of their digestion takes place in the hindgut, with this in mind fibre should make up most of the modern-day diet. A variety of fibres, such as chaffs (short chops), mashes, hay/haylage and grass keeps their gut moving and supports a healthy digestive tract.
Consider providing a digestive supplement in your horse’s diet – digestive support supplements are ideal for any horse or pony at risk of colic. Providing pro and prebiotics supports a healthy microbiome by repopulating the gut with good bacteria (probiotics) and feeding that good bacteria (prebiotics) for a healthy, efficient digestive system.
