2. COLIC : What is it?
Colic is a
relatively common
disorder of the
digestive system.
Although the
term colic, in the
true definition of
the word, simply
means “abdominal
pain,”
3. TYPES OF COLIC
Impacted Colic
Flatulent Colic
Spasmodic Colic
Twisted Gut Colic
4. IMPACTED COLIC
Is the term used when
the the intestines
become blocked by a
firm mass of food or
manure.
This is a fairly common
type of colic
It is considered as a
start of a more
complicated case
5. FLATULENT COLIC
Sometimes gas
builds up within
the intestine most
commonly in the
large intestine and
the caecum .
The gas stretches
the intestine wall
causing pain.
6. SPASMODIC COLIC
Some cases of
colic are due to
increased
intestinal
contractions and
abnormal
spasms cause
the intestine to
contract painfully
7. TWISTED GUT COLIC
This is mostly a result
of a more benign type
of colic
There is displacement
of a portion in the
abdomen.
The large unfixed
portions of the large
intestine predisposes
horse to this problem
8. ETIOLOGY
Often the original cause of colic is
unknown but the most common
causes include
Irregularities in feeding
A sudden change of diet
Gastric upsets or indigestion
Gas build up
Too much concentrated feed
Lack of water
9. ETIOLOGY
Stress or a stress filled environment
Too much food or water before or after
exercise
Worms or the lack of a balanced
worming program
Gas build up after eating cut or mown
grass.
10. CONDITION OF GRAZING A MAJOR
CAUSE
In addition the condition of
grazing can play a part,
especially where the
grazing is low and your
horse ingests sandy or dry
soil as it grazes the very
sparse, short grass.
This can result in sand or
impact colic, essentailly a
build up of soil in the
intestinal tract
11.
12.
13. NUTRITIONAL THERAPY FOR
TREATMENT OF COLIC
FEEDING ALTERATIONS
Whenever colic occurs, it is
useful to review any changes in
the horse's management that
may have led to colic, such as
cold weather that may have
decreased water intake or a
change in hay or concentrate
feeding (different source or an
increased amount)
Fasting for 12-24 hours is a
good practice to decrease the
amount of feed material in the
horse's intestinal tract and allow
the gut to rest.
14. NUTRITIONAL THERAPY FOR
TREATMENT OF COLIC
Horses can be offered small,
frequent drinks of water to maintain
hydration.
Most veterinarians will recommend
some period of feed restriction and
decreased concentrate feeding for 1-
2 days after a colic episode.
Short hand-grazing sessions (5-15
minutes) are excellent to allow some
feed intake, and walking generally
promotes movement of feed through
the intestine.
If hay is restricted, it can be sprinkled
throughout the horse's stall so that it
takes the horse longer to eat and this
simulates grazing.
15. FEEDING TO PREVENT COLIC
ROLE OF FORAGE
Adequate amount of
forage should be
supplied to the horse as
it helps in maintaining
the digestive tract
healthy
As quality and quantity
of forage decreases,
you have to rely on
grains and supplements,
which by nature are not
as healthy for horse
16. FEEDING TO PREVENT COLIC
HAY CONTENTS
Always have a watchful
eye on your hay for
contents that might
cause a horse to colic.
Moldy hay, for instance
smells musty and some
kinds of moulds produce
toxins which may cause
severe digestive upsets.
17. FEEDING TO PREVENT COLIC
CONCENTRATES
Horse should not be feed
on lot of grains i.e.
concentrate diet as their
digestive tract cannot
absorb all the sugar before
it reaches hindgut.
This directly affects the
micro flora of digestive
tract and leads to digestive
upsets.
18. FEEDING TO PREVENT COLIC
Hydration
Horses need plenty
of water to digest
their food properly
Lack of improper
water supply to
horses lead to
impaction