How to Treat Impaction Colic

Coarse hay is more likely to cause impactions than softer stems.

Colic, or acute abdominal pain, is common in horses. Veterinarian Judy Marteniuk of Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine describes impaction colic as "essentially constipation in horses." Generally, there is some material in the horse's intestine that is preventing food and possibly gas from moving through. Food and sand are common culprits. The key to treating impaction colic is to move the blockage. If your horse is showing mild colic symptoms, such as looking or biting at its sides, anxiety and lack of appetite, you may be able to treat it. For more severe symptoms, such as excessive rolling and pawing, sweating and no manure production, seek a veterinarian's help.

Things You'll Need

• Halter and lead rope
• Bucket
• Syringe
• Mineral oil
• Electrolytes
• Water

Instructions

1. Contact your veterinarian. Even if you don't need help, let the office know what's going on in case you do need assistance. Your vet also may have some treatment tips.

2. Remove your food and water until your horse starts passing manure.

3. Hand-walk your horse up and down a slope to stimulate the gut and break down the blockage.

4. Fill a bucket with water, 1 ounce of electrolytes, and 3 to 4 ounces of mineral oil.

5. Fill the syringe with the mixture, then squirt the contents into the corner of your horse's mouth. You may need to hold up its head as it swallows to keep the mixture from being spit out.

6. Refill the syringe two or three more times and administer to your horse. Keep hand-walking it between doses.

7. Continue hand-walking until your horse passes manure. Even after all seems normal, check on your horse every hour or so in case the symptoms reoccur.

Tips & Warnings

• When the symptoms stop or your horse passes manure, the horse is getting better.

• If you have a horse trailer available, take your horse for a ride of about 15 to 20 minutes. Sometimes the rocking of the trailer can dislodge a blockage when hand-walking doesn't.

• Consult your veterinarian if your horse is not producing gas or if it does not respond to your treatments within an hour.

References

• Oregon State University Extension Service: Preventing and Treating Colic in Your Horse
• Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine: Impaction Colic in Horses