subject: Coping With Horse Colic [print this page] Every horse owner dreads the thought of colic, and for good reason as colic is the leading cause of death for horses.
Colic is basically stomach pain that ranges from mild discomfort and quick recovery to severe distress and eventual death.
There are many causes of colic. One group of causes stems directly from poor management like:
Improper Dentistry
Over times horses teeth can develop very sharp edges on the inside of the lower molars and the outside of the upper molars. If neglected, these edges can cut the inside of the cheeks and gums. The horse finds it difficult to properly grind food. Poorly digested food can upset intestinal motility and cause colic.
Sand Colic
A leading cause of colic in sandy regions like the Southwestern desert is the ingestion of sand while the horse is eating. The sand builds up in the intestines and can quickly accumulate causing impaction colic. Sand colic is the leading cause of death of horses in the South Western United States.
Eating Too Much Lush Feed/Grain
Overeating can cause gas to build up in the intestine. Because of the way horses digestive systems are built, they cant vomit or burp to release gas. Too much gas can even rupture the stomach.
Worms
The immature larvae of the red worm migrate into the muscular walls of the arteries. This can cause swelling known as an aneurysm which can block the artery subsequently cutting off the blood supply. This can quickly bring tissue death to that portion of the bowel supported by that artery.
The symptoms of colic include restlessness, pawing, rolling, sweating and biting at the flank. Your horse could possibly stand with all four legs extended and have no interest in food or water. The droppings could range from none at all, to a reduced amount of small hard pellets or fluid-like droppings.
Knowing your horses behavioral habits is key to early detection of colic. If you suspect colic it is wise to immediately phone your veterinarian as it could be a life threatening situation.
Because horses are extremely sensitive to emotions, it is important that you remain as calm as possible and visualize your horse in optimal health. You might want to phone an energy healer to do a healing on both you and the horse while you are waiting for the vet. The healing will serve to soothe emotions, calm both you and the horse and best case scenario, eliminate what was causing the problem.
The best cure for colic is prevention. Feed your horse plenty of hay for roughage as often as you can each day. Keep food off the ground in sandy areas. Follow a prudent worming and dentistry schedule. Provide your horse with daily exercise to keep her digestive system functioning well and make any changes to her diet very gradually.
It is also wise to have a great relationship with your veterinarian. Time invested in developing a positive relationship will pay off when he/she is happy to serve you in times of distress. Consider finding and interviewing energy healers who specialize in animals. Most of them can do long distance healings. You dont want to be trying to find support during crucial times of distress.
Most importantly, spend quality time with your horse and know her habits. As previously mentioned, early detection of colic can mean a speedy recovery for your beloved friend.
