Colic in horses is a generalised term used to describe abdominal pain and is associated with numerous abnormalities that affect the horse’s digestive organs. Here are some of the most common causes:
Stall confinement: Increased stabling (more than 12 hours per day) can contribute to colic.
Inadequate water intake: Not enough water can lead to impaction colic.
Overfeeding or rapid food consumption: This can cause digestive issues leading to colic.
Poorly chewed food due to dental problems: This can cause impaction colic.
Severe worm infestation: Parasites can block the movement of food through the intestines and cecum.
Stress or rapid diet changes: These can often lead to gas colic or cramping colic. When it comes to colic, prevention is better than the cure. All of the above are easy to avoid by providing adequate turnout, grass or hay based diets, monitoring water intake, annual dental checks, a holistic approach to parasite management and slow introduction of new feeds.
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