What exactly is meant by colic in horses?
Colic in horses is a general term used to describe a malfunction of the digestive tract . Therefore, colic in horses doesn't directly describe a disease with a universally applicable, specific clinical picture, but rather it's an SOS signal indicating that something is seriously wrong and the horse is experiencing abdominal pain.
Every horse is an individual, and so the symptoms of colic in horses can vary . We know this from our own experience. We humans also react very differently to pain. Some of us express it more explicitly through louder breathing and groaning as obvious signs of discomfort. Driven by the desire to escape the pain as quickly as possible, we try to change our activity. Perhaps the pain will disappear if we stretch, we think. We try lying down, getting up, walking around, pulling our legs up, pressing our hands on the affected, painful area, and uncomfortably rolling from one side to the other. All signs that we are in pain. Others of us, however, become very quiet when we feel pain. They prefer to withdraw, suffer in silence, and may react very irritably or even "snappily" to those around them when spoken to. Thus, we know firsthand that the different ways we deal with pain do not necessarily indicate the stage or severity of the pain. The symptoms of colic in horses are also varied and individual and should be taken very seriously – the motto is: better safe than sorry! In any case, a veterinarian should be contacted promptly – speed is essential, as colic in horses can quickly become a serious emergency.
The following symptoms can accompany colic in horses and may give the veterinarian an indication of what type of colic it is.
Possible symptoms of colic in horses:
- Loss of appetite
- Sweat formation
- Absence of bowel movements and urination
- Abnormal bowel sounds (very intense or very faint bowel sounds)
- Apathy of the horse (the horse's activity deviates significantly from its usual daily routine)
- Restlessness coupled with flehmen, scratching, rolling, lying down, and kicking/biting towards the belly
- Changes in breathing
- Circulatory disorders
Regardless of how many of the above-mentioned symptoms apply to my horse, the moment I notice its discomfort and find it in a serious situation, I am quite likely to feel worried or even afraid, and I become stressed. A feeling of helplessness often overcomes me simply because I frequently cannot estimate how long it will take for the vet to finally arrive .
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 four steps have always helped me to make the best possible use of the time until the veterinarian arrives.
4 steps for immediate help if my horse has colic:
Step 1 – Check your own energy level
It might sound trivial, but self-observation is key here. When approaching my sick horse, I should first check in with 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 and anxiety can be transferred to the already stressed horse—something we definitely want to avoid. Therefore, it's advisable to first become aware of your own state of mind and shake off any negative energy before even approaching the sick horse.
Step 2 – Remove lining
Since we cannot be certain what exactly is wrong with our horse before a veterinarian makes a diagnosis, all feed should be withheld if colic is suspected. If the horse is in a straw-bedded stall but ignores the straw, it doesn't necessarily need to be removed. It is sufficient to remain vigilant and ensure the horse does not ingest any straw. Fresh water should be available to the horse at all times if needed.
Step 3 – Check PAT values
PAT here stands for the normal values for pulse, respiration, and temperature of the horse. These are the values considered normal for a healthy horse. These values can be communicated to the veterinarian over the phone and provide information about the patient's condition.
The following PAT values are within the norm (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
Keeping your horse moving is very important in the case of colic. This stimulates the digestive tract and can make it easier for the horse to urinate and defecate. Of course, we're talking about gentle movement here – walking a few laps on the lead rope while talking soothingly to the horse 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.
While everything seemed perfectly fine during our early evening walk from the paddock to the stable, the problems usually started later in the evening. Awakened by a dull, very loud, very monotonous knocking sound, we would then usually find our mare lying on her back, right against the wall of her stall. She had gotten herself stuck in her stall in an attempt to relieve the bothersome abdominal pain by rolling.
Driven by the desire to free herself from her predicament and turn over, her hooves repeatedly struck the stall wall – explaining the knocking sound that had woken us. In addition to the pain caused by the colic, the stress of being cast placed an additional strain on her circulatory system. We were fortunate to be friends with an experienced animal naturopath who arrived immediately and helped us free the mare from her cast and get her back on her feet before the vet arrived. (Please do not experiment – experience is required here to ensure your own safety and that of the horse. Furthermore, any measures taken should always be tailored to the specific situation and the horse's condition.)
It deeply affected me to see our mare so helpless, and I vividly remember the fear I felt when I realized how poor her circulation was. Situations like these showed me how important it is to let go of one's own anxiety before even entering the stall . The calmer I was in the situation, and therefore in my interactions with our patient, the more positive the effect on her condition.
In my experience, the most important tip for dealing with colic in horses is a self-coaching tip:
Your own energy level is something every horse owner should constantly monitor and adjust as needed – it's worth it! Especially when your beloved horse isn't feeling well, it deserves your best and most focused energy.
I get a lot of questions about these self-coaching tips , so I'll definitely write more about them in future posts. These are things that I found very helpful.
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