Preventing Horse Colic

Use Good Hay

Colic causes abdominal pain in a horse and can become dangerous when the pain causes the horse to roll on the ground, which can result in the twisting of the intestines. If the blood supply is cut off to a portion of the intestines, death results, unless surgical intervention takes place. Therefore, feed your horse hay that was baled dry, never rained on, and stored inside a barn immediately after baling, and until it is fed to help prevent horse colic. This hay should not contain mold or rot, which frequently happens with hay stored outside or baled wet. If you find a spot of mold or rot, dispose of the bad hay. If you notice white powder rising from the dry hay, it contains mold, do not feed it to your horse. The hay you feed your horse should also contain less than 30 percent alfalfa. Alfalfa increases the protein content and too high protein content can cause your horse to colic or founder. Hay that is has mostly or all alfalfa can only be fed to horses in very small amounts along with grass hay or other lower protein forage.

Keeping Grain, Supplements and Treats Secure

Eating too much grain can cause a horse to colic. Horses love grain so if they have an opportunity to gorge on grain they will. Keep your grain supply, supplements and horse treats enclosed in a stall, feed box, or other secure area where your horse cannot accidentally gain access to it. Measure grain and supplements carefully each time you feed your horse being careful not to overfeed. Some supplements are very high in protein made specifically for lactating mares, working stallions or growing foals. These supplements need to be fed separately to each horse to control intake and help prevent colic.

Preventing Sand Consumption and Cribbing

Eating too much sand can cause a condition called sand colic and is potentially dangerous for your horse. Rotating your horse pasture is one way to keep grass growing so that your horse does not eat excessive amounts of sand. Feeding hay throughout the day, instead of once a day, may keep your horse grazing at the hay feeder instead of eating sand. In addition, feed your horse grain in a feeder or feeding tub instead of on the ground. Special halters are available for horses who crib to prevent cribbing. An association has been found between cribbing and a form of colic known as epiploic foramen entrapment. This is where a portion of the small intestine is trapped and is cut off from its blood supply, which will cause death without surgical intervention.

Resources

• More about feeding horses alfalfa
• Cribbing and colic
• eHow article "How to Build Horse Stalls"