08/06/2025
Amazing advice. Colic is no joke!
🚨 Alert – Increase in Colic Cases 🚨
We have seen a large increase in impaction colic cases over the last few days. This is quite typical of the first cold snap of the year, and is much more common in winter than other months.
It most commonly occurs when horses aren’t drinking enough to match their consumption of dry matter intake.
How can you prevent it?
🧂 Add salt to encourage drinking:
Feeding 1–2 tablespoons of plain salt daily (unless your ration already includes adequate salt) helps trigger thirst and encourages your horse to drink more water, which keeps the gut contents moving.
💧 Check water availability and temperature:
Ensure water troughs and buckets are clean. Some horses prefer slightly warmed water in colder weather.
🌾 Soak feeds and hay:
Soaking hay or adding water to hard feeds is an easy way to increase your horse’s water intake. Hay cubes, pellets, and chaff can all be soaked to reduce the risk of gut dehydration.
🚶♂️ Keep them moving:
Movement helps stimulate gut motility. If your horse is stabled more in winter, increase turnout time or hand-walk them to keep their digestion active.
🧐 Monitor manure and appetite:
Dry, hard manure or reduced manure output can be early signs of impaction. So can a quiet, uncomfortable horse that isn’t quite themselves.
📞 Call your vet early:
If you notice any signs of discomfort—flank watching, lying down more, reduced appetite or gut sounds—call your vet promptly. Early intervention is key.
Cases can often take several days to resolve with fluids, pain relief, and close monitoring—so the sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.
Stay warm and stay alert—colic prevention starts with hydration and observation! 💙🐴
