Colic
By Kenneth Eaglin
Description
The term "colic" means only "pain in the abdomen" or "pain in the belly". There are many causes for such pain, ranging from the mild and inconsequential to the life-threatening or fatal. One of the problems with equine colic is that it can be very difficult in the early stages to distinguish the mild from the potentially fatal. This is why all cases of abdominal pain should be taken seriously right from the onset.
Symptoms
High grain based diets/Low forage dietsMoldy/Tainted feedAbrupt change in feedParasite infestationLack of water consumption leading to impaction colics Sand ingestionLong term use of NSAIDS StressDental problems
Causes
Changes in feed, an accumulation of sand in the caecum, and ingesting fungus or foreign objects can all trigger colic symptoms. Some owners claim nervous horses that experience a change in management or senior horses in response to rapid air pressure changes may develop spasmodic colic.
Treatments
a horse with colic is walked walking helps relieve anxiety and also aids in the prevention of rolling and subsequent intestinal twisting. Walking may also help relieve the buildup of pressure in the intestines. If thirty minutes passes and symptoms are still present or worse yet more severe contact a veterinarian immediately.
Prevention
Keep your horses on a regular de-worming schedule to avoid parasite damage. If your horse eats straw, consider using shavings for bedding. Clean up windfall apples and other fruit out of pastures. A few apples a day is okay. Too many can cause colic.
Sources
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=15498&articleid=1834