19/09/2025
Sweet boy Ty had a mild case of gas colic early this week.
He is fine now as we caught it soon and had medication on hand. But horses will always keep you on your toes.
We are thankful that he pulled through and after he let out some big t***s he was back to normal.
What is Colic?
Colic put simply is basically a bad belly ache. This can be caused from impaction & gas pains. There are several types of colic: Impaction, gas, heat, stress to name a few. Bloating can also have similar colic symptoms.
Why is a bellyache life threatening for horses?
Horses cannot vomit. Meaning that if their tummy hurts they cannot release the pain so they end up rolling and thrashing around to try and ease it. This can cause the intestines to twist. Another issue is that if it is impaction then there is a blockage that may need surgery.
What causes Colic?
Literally ANYTHING. We laugh and joke about how horses are homicidal (go after each other) & suicidal (find ways to nearly take themselves out). Common causes:
-Switching feeds
-Stress (travel, extreme buddy sour and not calming down)
-Hay blockage
-Bad Hay or grain
- Over feeding grain
-unsoaked alfalfa cubes, timothy pellets, grass related pellets
-Gas pains
- Horse breaks into feed room and eats a lot of grain- Emergency
Signs of Colic:
-Pawing - aggressively
-Biting Flank/stomach
- Rolling and not shaking after the roll
- Consistent Rolling or laying down
- flipping upper lip as to say Ouch I don't feel good.
- You will know if your horse seems "off"
-lethargic
- Un-interest in food is usually the first sign.
- Parking out as if needing to p*e but barely any comes out
What to do?
-Catch it EARLY!
-Remove all hay and feed. Call your vet.
- Remove water. Ask vet if they can have it.
-Take Temperature
-DO NOT let them lay down
-DO NOT try to flush them with water
-Most times they will ask for a certain medication- banamine
-Keep horse up. Walking is great but watch out for exhaustion.
- Your vet should talk you through the rest.
- Pooping is a great sign- but doesn't mean you in the clear yet.
Aftercare: (According to my vet this last time)
-Varies for what type of Colic-
- No grain for 1 day (more days if severe)
- Grass is better than hay. They eat it in small quanitities.
- If you must feed hay, feed small amounts and soak it.
- Alfalfa cubes were recommended that were overly soaked- like very soupy. Soak for at least 30 min and make sure there is access water in the cubes.
- If you can- keep them in a smaller grass pasture so you can watch them and monitor their drinking. Easier if alone.
- Monitor bowel movements, p**p piles, and urine.
Other Colic Facts-
-Symptoms can last up to 24 hours. Check on horse often during the night.
- Check geldings/studs for beans in urethra. This can also cause colic-like symptoms
- Call vet right away if symptoms happen again in morning.
- Banamine usually works after 45 min (in my experience). If not your case is more severe. Banamine does not "completely treat" colic so make sure you are still watching your horse closely through the next 24 hours.
Feeding Tips to prevent Colic:
- Soak Horse Feed
*Horse Feed expands when wet. So it will expand in the belly of your horse, causing bloating. If you soak it before it goes into the belly, then they eat it as is. This prevents bloating.
*Soaking allows for smooth sailing through the digestive tract
*Soaking also prevents choking
- Adding corn oil - just 1oz
*Adding corn oil will help the feed slide through
*Adding corn oil also adds calories for your harder keepers
* It also benefits coat shine
Soaking forage based products: (alfalfa cubes & pellets, timothy pellets, Beet pulp)
- MUST soak minimum of 30 min. Max of 10 hours
This is not optional. Some farms don't believe in soaking grain- okay. But forage based products absolutely need soaked.
- hot water will sp*ed up the process
- If not super soft when fed to the horse, they can easily colic or choke.
