14712 Franklin Ave St K. Tustin CA 92780. Phone: 714-665-2211. Fax: 714-665-2212

Colic—The Equine Acute Abdomen: Part II of a Four Part Series: Dietary Indiscretions. -

Horses evolved for millions of years to become swift, long-legged herd animals that spent the entire day grazing. Today, horses exist as animals that live in a confined space and are fed 2-3 times per day. It is truly a wonder that they have adjusted to such a drastic change in their natural environment.

A horses hydration status is very important towards his ability to process his feed. It is essential that horses have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Horses should consume about 5-10 gallons of water/day depending on the weather and the amount of exercise they receive. If a horse for any reason stops drinking or if they become dehydrated they can often develop a large intestinal impaction. This is where the ingesta (poop!) in the large intestine become so dry that it can no longer move easily in the intestine (think cement). This occurs anywhere in the large intestine but it often occurs at the pelvic flexure, which is a location that can sometimes be palpated by your veterinarian per rectum. The treatment for this condition is water and oil via a nasogastric tube. This is often enough to resolve the condition but occasionally the impaction and dehydration are severe enough that your veterinarian will recommend referral for intravenous fluid therapy.

Horses are most successful on a diet that is consistent. They should always receive a high quality hay, that maintains a consistent color, texture and smell throughout. Never feed your horse anything that smells moldy or looks dark brown or yellow. Roughage is a key part of the horse’s diet, and is essential for their intestinal health. Never change from different types of hay from one day to the next. Always transition from one type of hay to another over a period of two-three weeks. You should consult your veterinarian before initiating any feed changes.

There is one type of grass hay that is not recommended. Bermuda grass hay is a type of hay generally grown in the south that has a similar nutrient quality to timothy hay. Unfortunately, it has long, fine stems that can form a firm, difficult to digest ball of fiber that often wedges itself in the ileum, which is the part of the small intestine that borders the cecum. Horses are four to five times as likely to colic when fed Bermuda grass hay rather than a similar quality timothy or orchard grass hay.

Alfalfa hay packs a higher caloric punch than grass hays and is recommended in conjunction with grass hays for horses that are lactating, pregnant, growing, or in a large amount of work. Horses t fed a high percentage of alfalfa in their diets and live in California are predisposed to enterolithiasis. Enterolithiasis occurs when a calculus or stone forms in the horse’s intestine. Eventually the rocks can become so large they require surgery to be removed. Sometimes they can be palpated by your veterinarian per rectum but there is a higher chance of finding out if your horse has enteroliths if abdominal radiographs are taken of his abdomen.

Grain overload, where a horse often breaks out of its stall or corral and gets into the feed room, is a serious condition that requires immediate action by your veterinarian. She will pass a nasogastric tube and try to pump your horse’s stomach. The large amount of sugars in the grain will cause an overgrowth of the normal bacteria that live in the horse’s GI tract. When they accumulate, the bacteria will release an endotoxin which causes severe damage to the intestinal tissue as well as setting off a deadly cascade of events that could lead to laminitis. Needless to say, it is important to keep any grain or sweet feeds locked away and to make sure your horse’s house is secure.

These are just a few of the causes of colic that are diet related. Many colics have a dietary element, therefore, it is important for your horse’s health to be vigilant about the quality and amount of feed that he is getting. If in doubt about what you are feeding or the amount of feed please feel free to call us to discuss the nutrition your horse is receiving. Your horse is unique and one diet that may work well with your neighbors horse may not be appropriate for your horse so never hesitate to seek our advice. - Dr. Marie Haddock

colic part 3

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