In pastures that cause colic in horses, the concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) at 15 and 30 days (19.15% and 19.36%) were more than twice the concentrations reported in other Brazilian regions suggesting that colic is due to high concentrations of NSC in the grass (Cerqueira et al., 2010). ...
A sudden increase of fresh spring grass in a horse's diet can change the pH in the hindgut and cause all sorts of health issues including colic. Spring grass, low in fibre is rapidly fermented, and an overload of starch enters the cecum killing off microbes important to digestion.
The most common types of colic are related to impaction, in which undigested feed or foreign bodies such as parasites block the movement of digesta through the intestines and cecum. More serious cases involving “twisted gut” or intestinal strangulation can block blood flow to the area, causing tissue death.
The cuttings can compact and become lodged in the horse's throat, causing them to choke. Choke can potentially be very serious and distressing to the horse. Grass cuttings can also cause the horse to develop a potentially life-threatening stomach-ache known as colic.
Changes in concentrates or hay, or sudden access to pasture, can trigger colic. Gas production often increases as the beneficial microbes in your horse's gut adjust.
Wet conditions can promote the growth of bacteria and fungi on the grass. Ingesting contaminated grass can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and colic. Horses with sensitive digestive systems may be particularly at risk.
It very well may be a critical and time sensitive, life-threatening emergency. Possible consequences of this grain overload are diarrhea, colic, colitis, endotoxemia, metabolic acidosis and laminitis (founder).
Grass, which is especially rich in the spring, can pose two serious health risks to our equine friends: colic and laminitis. Colic is an umbrella term for abdominal pain, with diet believed to be the main risk factor. Different types of colic can be very serious, some requiring hospitalization and surgery.
Mold in feed or hay can disrupt microbes in the horse's gut and lead to colic. Some types of mold also produce toxins that can cause severe digestive upset. Therefore, never feed grain or any type of concentrate that has been exposed to moisture. If a feed smells off, it's better to throw it out rather than risk colic.
Walk Your Horse – Walking can assist moving gas through the gut and can prevent injury from rolling. Most mild colics will even clear up from just a simple brisk walk. Try to walk the horse to keep them comfortable, but never to the point of exhaustion. Never aggressively exercise the horse.
Your veterinarian will likely recommend that you don't feed your horse grain or hay until they pass manure and the colic resolves. Feed may add to an impaction. Grazing on a small amount of fresh grass may help stimulate motility.
A large portion of mild to moderate colic cases are due to gas build up in the intestines. This may be described as gas colic, hypermotile or crampy intestines, or spasmodic colic. Horses suffering from these forms of colic will typically resolve the issue on their own without requiring veterinarian intervention.
While most horses do well and thrive on a grass hay diet, other horses with different needs and medical conditions are better suited to being fed a diet of grass/alfalfa mix, or an exclusively all alfalfa.
Impaction colics often occur when a horse usually kept on shavings or grass is moved to, and eats, a straw bed. Displacements occur when one section of the bowel moves to an abnormal location within the abdomen. Strangulating colics occur when the blood supply to a piece of gut gets cut off.
This can be caused by a dietary change, low forage consumption, lush spring grass intake, parasitic load or deworming. Horses suffering from gas colic will often exhibit excessive flatulence and may seek relief by holding a strained stretch, as if needing to urinate.
Try Motion As long as the horse is calm, you could try doing 'belly lifts' and hand walking or lunging. A few minutes of trotting may help, but only for a few minutes. Don't tire him out. If he starts to feel better, offer a tiny bit of food.
Horses are sensitive to pain in their intestinal tract, and eating too much grass, too fast can cause a nasty bout of colic for your horse. The condition is potentially fatal, but easy to prevent once you know how.
A concern for horses and ponies grazing lush pastures is the risk of founder or laminitis from excessive consumption of soluble carbohydrates (starch and sugar) found in the pasture. Laminitis is inflammation of the hoof's laminae, which can result in temporary to permanent lameness.
Foods that are passed through your breast milk to your baby may trigger colic. If your baby is colicky and you are breastfeeding, avoid eating or drinking the following foods for a few weeks to see if that helps. Stimulants, such as caffeine and chocolate. Dairy products and nuts.
Colic isn't actually a disease; it's a symptom of another problem. With increased hay consumption, impactions and excess gas production are the most common causes. Enteroliths (stones) are often seen in high alfalfa hay diets.
Bread. Although people used to think feeding bread to horses was harmless, it has been discovered that bread can cause a blockage in your horse's digestive system, leading to colic.
Horses should have access to water at all times and in every season of the year. However, with a “hot” horse (one after heavy exercise), avoid either feeding it or allowing it to drink heavily. It's been suggested that a hot horse will develop colic if it drinks a lot of cold water at once.
