This can lead to hindgut acidosis , resulting in a lower pH in the colon and cecum. This means a higher level of acidity, which can modify the delicate microbial balance in the hindut and may compromise the mucosal lining of the colon.
Eventually, colonic ulcers form, which may allow endotoxins to enter the blood stream, restricting blood flow to the colon and small intestine. Tissue may eventually die, resulting in food blockages and induced colic.
In truth, the exact sequence of events is unknown. But there is a significant amount of research that shows a connection between feeding horses grain rich in simple carbohydrates and conditions that can lead to colic. For more information on types of colic , how colic is induced , recognizing early signs , and feeding and management tips for reducing colic risk , visit the Crusade Against Equine Colic. Introduction to Enteritis in Horses Enteritis is the inflammation of the small intestine.
While most commonly associated with bacterial infection, Enteritis often involves both non-infectious and infectious diseases. Page et al. Bran is, of course, the traditional mash base, but I prefer to make more nutritionally balanced mashes—senior feeds work particularly well. Most horses love mashes. You can also add a teaspoon of salt to encourage the horse to drink more, just like we would after eating a bag of salty chips. Click here to learn more about preventing impaction colic in horses.
Not only is the physical activity of walking around beneficial, but continual grazing is what he was designed for. And while confined horses are at higher risk of colic, those who were recently moved to a stall are even more likely to develop digestive upset. This, combined with less water in their diet as they shift from pasture to dry forage, adds up to an increased risk of colic.
Horses may have to be pulled off pasture abruptly if a snowstorm hits, leading to the dramatic change in management that immediately increases their chances of colic. The best way to mitigate this risk is to leave your horse turned out as much as possible. A horse with a thick winter coat or an appropriate blanket can live outside comfortably even in single-digit temperatures.
A run-in shed or even a thick stand of trees is adequate shelter in a snowstorm. A few hours of liberty in an indoor arena are better than an entire day spent in a stall, as is hand-walking up and down the aisle.
A horse on adequate pasture full-time will be continuously digesting water-rich grass, ideal for preventing colic. In winter, however, meals of dry hay are more common and can be associated with colic.
Not only is drier forage more likely to create intestinal blockages, but the gut slows in the hours spent waiting for hay to be served twice a day. Forage also figures in another common wintertime challenge: Horses will burn more calories in cold weather to stay warm and, in some cases, may begin to drop weight as a result.
But increasing grain instead of forage is a mistake. Not only are you missing the opportunity to provide more gut-healthy hay, but the additional concentrates can lead to gas colic as the high-calorie feed ferments in the gut. The best wintertime feeding practices include frequent, primarily hay-based meals. Using a slow feeder to make hay available to your horse is a great idea.
If your horse is dropping weight and he already has free-choice forage and no underlying health issues, consult with your veterinarian about the best way to add more calories to his diet.
Rather than doubling up on grain, switching to more energy-dense hay might be a safer choice. In addition, many complete feeds that can be used to increase caloric intake are not as rich as straight corn or other grains. Remember to always make the transition to a new feed over several days. This is largely due to improvements in the way in which we diagnose and treat colic, better anaesthetic drugs and monitoring and improved surgical techniques.
Early diagnosis and surgical treatment of more serious cases of colic remains one of the most important factors in giving horses the best chance of survival following colic surgery. This might be due to intestinal spasms cramp , the gut wall being stretched by gas or feed material, the blood supply being shut off to part of the gut or intestine becoming stuck entrapped somewhere abnormal.
Occasionally there are non-intestinal conditions, such as laminitis, bladder stones or ovarian problems, that may initially look like symptoms of colic. This is known as 'false colic', but may still be very serious. T he changes indicating colic were subtle but nevertheless concerning. Colic Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. While You Wait for Your Veterinarian. Keenan, DVM. If done incorrectly and the horse aspirates it into the lungs, he could die, warns Weatherly. Here are six feeding tips to reduce digestive upset: Provide an unlimited source of clean water.
Feed a consistent diet and make any changes slowly. Feed an appropriate hay and offer it free choice. Feed concentrates as small, frequent meals. Do not feed more than 4 pounds of concentrate per meal.
Maintain a consistent daily feeding schedule. Its multi-pronged approach supports complete GI tract health, and reduces the risk of ulcers, digestive upset, and hindgut imbalances.
Heading to the Equine Hospital for Colic Care. DO trailer the horse , if possible, in a trailer without dividers. This reduces the chance of your horse getting cast under a partition, Weatherly says. However, many colicking horses trailer fine, and the confinement the divider provides seems to help. This is something that needs to be thought through prior to an emergency.
Administer medications correctly and follow the recommended protocol for the complete duration prescribed. If you have concerns, ask your veterinarian before making any changes. DO consider management changes if your horse has colicked before. The Cost of Colic No doubt about it, colic surgery is expensive. Credits: Marcia King Marcia King is an award-winning freelance writer based in Ohio who specializes in equine, canine, and feline veterinary topics.
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