What caused this colic?

[OdieJump]

i have been a horse owner for nearly four years and I have dealt with colic on only three instances. The first time it happened my OTTB was being boarded at a small barn. He had been colicing all day (the owner told me that he hadn’t been eating, looking at his stomach, etc.) after school when I went to ride I immediately noticed and the colic had progressed to a point where he was rolling, needless to say I was extremely upset with the owner and my horses aren’t there anymore. The next time it was the same horse, I saw the early signs and took him to the vet immediately, he got some sort of medicine and then I walked him for a bit.

Now yesterday, I had dumped my horses feed and I was getting the hay ready and noticed that my horse had stopped eating his grain and walked away. I went into his pasture to see him and he stood and let me pet him (he is usually difficult to catch) and then he started following me around. I tried offering hay but he wouldn’t eat it, soon after I saw him looking at his stomach.

Immediatly i called my trainer, she attempted to get the vet but he was dealing with an emergency so she came and gave him a shot of banamine I think. Today he seems back to normal, I gave him hay this morning and he is digesting his food now (basically he’s pooping)

I’ve been feeding the same hay, the same amount, same amount of grain, consistently having water, plenty of space in his pasture, he has a companion, he hasn’t had any change in routine whatsoever (other than introducing a new horse but they were just in a neighboring pasture) I know lots of tiny things can cause colic but any ideas? It’s been raining so everything is drying right now, nothings dusty… ideas??

[candyappy]

Weather changes can cause some to colic. Overly dry weather can cause it. Not drinking enough, stress, etc…

Sometimes it is just gas and sometimes it is impaction of varying degrees. No matter what the symptoms it is always best to have a vet see the horse as it can escalate quickly.

The reality is that most of us never can be sure what brings it on. The best defense is routine, quality feed and water and knowing what is normal for your horse.

I have only dealt with colic a few times in 40+ years. One time it was really dry, one time it was gas and it was self resolved before vet arrived ( he examined her anyways) .
One was gas related in a very pregnant mare, and another was a mild impaction due to ( vets guess) transition onto spring grass.

The reasons why are endless.

[Princess_Sparkles]

Sometimes there isn’t an explanation. You may not want to believe it, but it’s true. My business partner and I pride ourselves on our low instance of colic by providing 24/7 access to clean water and hay and ample turnout for all the horses. Hay comes from one supplier always. We still had a gelding colic badly on us this fall–and he is out 24/7, no grain, and as I said access to hay and water (heated in the winter) at all times. In a small group with his buddies, not stressed, he doesn’t even get ridden, he’s just a pasture pet. No dramatic temperature swings in the days before the episode.

And we almost lost him. He pulled through after 48 hours of drugs and walking and 3 vet visits. Absolutely no explanation for it. Hadn’t had a horse colic at our place prior to that in almost 4 years (knocking on wood furiously).

Horses digestive systems are not the best design. We can drive ourselves crazy trying to figure it out but sometimes there just isn’t an explanation to be found. We know what INCREASES the chance for colic in most horses, so the best you can do is provide that and know your horse so if symptoms appear you can act fast.

It sounds like your management is good, the only thing I can think of that you didn’t make clear was if there had been a dramatic weather shift. I’m in Canada and when we get that first cold snap in the fall or a sudden drop in temperature I watch everyone really closely as it can sometimes put them off from drinking. They are cold so they aren’t as thirsty and might not get enough. I’ll make warm roughage mashes for the oldsters on these nights to make sure they get enough water in their systems. You said it was raining but wasn’t clear if you had a temperature shift as well–I have known some horses to be really sensitive to that.

[Martina]

IMO, dealing with colic 3 times in 4 years with the same horse is a lot. I think something going on and it could be as simple as his diet and/or water. He might just have a sensitive stomach/system, and may need a little TLC in that area. I would call the vet and have him/her review his daily grain, hay, supplements, water, turnout, etc. How many grain feedings does he get, how much per feeding, how much hay, does he get a digestive supplement or a probiotic, is he a good drinker, how much turnout does he get. Ulcers can lead to colic and going off grain is certainly a sign. I don’t think this needs to be an expensive visit, but a vet could ask the questions and give you recommendations.

[OdieJump]

@Martina

IMO, dealing with colic 3 times in 4 years with the same horse is a lot. I think something going on and it could be as simple as his diet and/or water. He might just have a sensitive stomach/system, and may need a little TLC in that area. I would call the vet and have him/her review his daily grain, hay, supplements, water, turnout, etc. How many grain feedings does he get, how much per feeding, how much hay, does he get a digestive supplement or a probiotic, is he a good drinker, how much turnout does he get. Ulcers can lead to colic and going off grain is certainly a sign. I don’t think this needs to be an expensive visit, but a vet could ask the questions and give you recommendations.

This happened between two horses, the first horse coliced twice were guessing it was an ulcer (he’s a thoroughbred so very picky stomach) but he does get a supplement in his food now and we haven’t had an issue since. The horse the coliced recently is a different horse I’ve never had a problem and I don’t think the owner did either.

To answer your questions, he gets fed twice a day. He gets one scoop (3 qts) of sweetfeed (I did have my trainer help me with picking his food) usually the hay comes out to two large flakes (or four flakes because of my hay bales are smaller) for each horse morning and evening. It’ll last them all day and most of the night. He’s not on any supplements, I don’t think he needs any. He is a good drinker, I also have a mineral block for all my horses. As for turnout, he stays in his large pasture with his pasture mate.

[OneTwoMany]

@OdieJump

This happened between two horses, the first horse coliced twice were guessing it was an ulcer (he’s a thoroughbred so very picky stomach) but he does get a supplement in his food now and we haven’t had an issue since. The horse the coliced recently is a different horse I’ve never had a problem and I don’t think the owner did either.

To answer your questions, he gets fed twice a day. He gets one scoop (3 qts) of sweetfeed (I did have my trainer help me with picking his food) usually the hay comes out to two large flakes (or four flakes because of my hay bales are smaller) for each horse morning and evening. It’ll last them all day and most of the night. He’s not on any supplements, I don’t think he needs any. He is a good drinker, I also have a mineral block for all my horses. As for turnout, he stays in his large pasture with his pasture mate.

A little more information might be helpful such as the weight of the horse, his level of athletic activity, his living arrangements; 24/7 turnout? or stall board with turnout and the length of the turnout. Does he have access to forage other than the hay you give him and if so what kind and for how many hours a day. How many pounds of hay does he get daily and what is the type and quality?

Colic can be caused by many things, but I would certainly consider ulcers and be examining your fellow’s diet. An important thing to remember is the digestive system of the horse is designed for the animal to be constantly foraging as the horse’s stomach is constantly producing acid 24/7 to aid with digestion. If the horse goes too long without something in his stomach the acid can build up and cause irritation and eventually ulcers. Ulcer-related symptoms can include going off feed, sensitive mid section, change in attitude, colicky symptoms, etc.

Diet changes that can help prevent ulcers or reduce ulcer flare ups include access to forage 24/7 or as close to 24/7 as is reasonably possible. Hanging hay nets and ensuring the nets are never empty is one solution for stalled horses. Concentrates (commercial grain) can irritate ulcers so a diet that is light on concentrates and heavier on forage might be useful. It isn’t uncommon for OTTB’s or performance horses in general to be susceptible to ulcers.

In addition to all the advice you’ll receive on this thread, a google search on “causes of equine colic” or a search on “equine uclers and colic” will provide you with an interesting read. Maybe as you sift through some of the articles, you’ll notice a pattern that applies to your situation and it will help to point you in the right direction.

[findeight]

Not enough info. In the almost 50 years Ive owned horses, only had, maybe, a dozen colics serious enough to generate a vet bill. Only three were serious.

One impaction colic in a 3 year old was caused by a baby tooth that got stuck in a molar ( called capping) so it wasnt chewing properly and the unchewed food got stuck. After several hours of walking, in an indoor at night in winter of course, emergency vet visit by fill in vet who was scared of horses (really) and a couple of shots and a half bucket of oil, trainer/BO came down from the house about 11pm, put the youngster on a lunge line and cracked a whip. It bucks, farts, poops copiously and we were done. Regular vet took care of the tooth the next day.

Another bad colic was in a horse bought dirt cheap starving out of a frozen field. Probably a 2.5 at most on the scale. 6 weeks later, trainer/bo hauled him 125 miles to Rood Riddle in the middle of the night ( I was out of town, of course ). Apparently it’s not unusual for horses in very poor shape that had been living out who are confined to stalls or small pens to suffer impaction colics within the first few months. I know…but he was a bag of bones and it was mid winter with icy footing and a month of below 32f highs and 10f to -15f lows so… 3 days and $2500 later, no surgery. He was sent home.

Same Horse, the next year, was very carefully turned out every day in winter…stepped in a hole or some ice under the snow. Tweaked an apparently previously injured Suspensory, 6 months off, 3 months rehab, $1200 in vet bills ( in 1995). Eventually needed speshul shoes for navicular too. Last horse too cheap to PPE I ever bought. Sometimes horses come with assorted pre exsisting health or soundness conditions…sometimes that’s why they ended up in a crappy situation and were so cheap

Most recent bad colic I was there for, fact found it, no idea what happened, suspect was horse run around turnout paddock by deer, over heated, pulled it out of field and noted extreme discomfort, no gut sounds. Vet was there in 30 minutes. On a hunch, he had been the regular vet for 8 years since he did the PPE on it with no colic history, pulled blood and went back to nearby office to run it. Returned with the news it was NOT colic but horse had tied up which shut the gut down. Treating for colic instead of treating the proper cause would have killed the horse.

Of course several times over the years we had some minor belly aches that generated phone call to the vet, banimine and walking with hay only for the rest of the day cleared it fine, no vet bill, thank the lord for full service barns and trained staff. Don’t get me wrong, have not always been in those, had some pretty sketchy set ups over the decades but even in those, never had much colic.

JMO but OP has had more colic then they should have. So careful investigation to solve the why it’s happening needs to happen. Vet should be involved, physical is indicated. Colic is a big bucket of conditions and causes, need to find out what going on causing the symptoms instead if just clearthem up until next time.

[imaginique]

Even between two horses, three colics in four years is a lot. I’ve had horses for 43 years and only dealt with three or four colics. I think you are wise for searching for a reason.