What exactly is colic in horses?
Colic in horses is a collective term used to describe a malfunction of the digestive tract . Colic in horses doesn't directly describe a disease that can be attributed to a general, specific clinical picture, but rather is an SOS signal that something is seriously wrong and our horse has abdominal pain.
Every horse is different and so the symptoms of colic in horses can vary . We know this from our own experiences. We humans also react to pain very differently. Some of us express it more expressively through louder breathing and groaning as an obvious sign of discomfort. In our desire to escape the pain as quickly as possible, we try to change our activity. We think that perhaps the pain will go away if we stretch. We try lying down, standing up, walking around, pulling our legs up, pressing our hands on the affected, painful part of the body, rolling around in discomfort from one side to the other. All signs that we are in pain. Others of us, on the other hand, become very quiet when we feel pain. They prefer to withdraw, suffer in silence and, when spoken to, may become very irritated or even snappy at those around us. So we know firsthand that the different ways we deal with pain do not necessarily indicate the stage of the pain or its severity. In horses, too, the symptoms of colic are varied and individual and should be taken seriously – the motto is: better to be safe than sorry! In any case , a veterinarian should be contacted promptly – this is important, as colic in horses can quickly become a serious condition.
The following symptoms can accompany colic in horses and may give the veterinarian information about the type of colic.
Possible symptoms of colic in horses:
- Loss of appetite
- Sweating
- Absence of stool and urine output
- unusual bowel sounds (very intense or very faint bowel sounds)
- Apathy of the horse (the horse's activity deviates significantly from the usual daily routine)
- Restlessness coupled with flehmen, scratching, rolling, lying down and kicks/bites towards the stomach
- Change in breathing
- Circulatory disorders
Regardless of how many of the above symptoms apply to my horse, the moment I notice his discomfort and find him in a serious situation, I'm likely to become concerned or even anxious, and I'll become stressed. A feeling of helplessness overcomes me, simply because I often can't estimate how long it will take until the veterinarian finally arrives .
The good news: Like the first responders at the scene of the accident, I too have the opportunity to positively influence the situation and provide immediate assistance to the patient.
The following 4 steps have always helped me to make the best use of the time until the vet arrives.
4 steps of immediate help if my horse has colic:
Step 1 – Check your energy level
It may sound banal, but self-observation is key here. When I approach my sick horse, I should first check myself and summon my best energy . This step is so important because, especially in stressful situations, we usually don't take the time to check our own energy levels. However, our own worry/fear can be transferred to the already stressed horse. Something we want to avoid at all costs. Therefore, it is advisable to first become aware of your own state of mind and shake off negative energies before approaching the sick horse.
Step 2 – Remove lining
Since we can't know for sure what exactly is wrong with our horse until the veterinarian has diagnosed it, if colic is suspected, all feed should be withdrawn first. However, if the horse is kept in a straw box but ignores the straw, it doesn't necessarily have to be removed. In this case, it's sufficient to remain vigilant and ensure that the horse doesn't ingest any straw. Fresh water should, however, be available to the patient at all times if needed.
Step 3 – Check PAT values
PAT stands for the horse's standard values for heart rate, respiration, and temperature. These are the values considered normal for a healthy horse. These can be communicated to the veterinarian over the phone and provide information about the patient's condition.
The following PAT values correspond to the standard (deviations are of course possible)
P : 32-40 beats per minute
A : 12-20 breaths per minute
T : 37.5-38.3 degrees Celsius
Step 4 – Keep moving
Staying active is very important in the case of colic. This stimulates our horse's digestive tract and may make it easier for him to urinate and defecate. Of course, this refers to light exercise—walking a few laps on the lead rope while encouraging the patient can work wonders.
My personal story with horse colic:
Especially at the beginning of the winter months, one of our mares - Lennie - was increasingly prone to colic.
After everything seemed to be in order during the early evening walk from the paddock to the stable, things usually started to get worse later in the evening. Awakened by a dull, very loud, very monotonous knocking sound, we would usually find our mare lying on her back, directly against the wall of her stall. She had been lying down in an attempt to relieve the annoying stomach pain by rolling around.
Desperate to free herself from her predicament and turn around, her hooves repeatedly hit the stall wall—explaining the knocking noise that had woken us. In addition to the pain caused by the colic, the stress of being stuck in the ground placed additional strain on her circulatory system. We were fortunate to be friends with an experienced animal health practitioner who immediately stepped in and helped us free the mare from her restraint and put her back on her feet before the vet arrived. (Please don't experiment—experience is required here to avoid endangering your own safety and that of the horse. Furthermore, any measures should always be tailored to the specific situation and the horse's condition.)
It was deeply distressing to see our mare so helpless, and I remember very well the fear I felt when I realized how poor her circulation was. Situations like this showed me how important it is to put aside your own anxiety at the stable door . The more calmly I approached the situation and thus our patient, the more positively it affected her condition.
In my experience, the most important tip for colic in horses is a self-coaching tip:
Your own energy level is something every horse owner should constantly monitor and adjust if necessary – it's worth it! Especially when your horse is feeling down, he deserves your best and most focused energy.
I get a lot of questions about these self-coaching tips , so I'll be adding more to them in future posts. I've found them very useful.
