In the previous article, we took a closer look at the symptoms of colic in horses. When recognizing signs that might indicate colic in a horse, reaching for the phone is essential – every horse owner should play it safe and contact their veterinarian first! A veterinary diagnosis of colic will also help us investigate the underlying causes.
4 steps of colic prevention and aftercare in horses
Step 1 – Keep a (cause) diary
Do you, like me, have a horse that's prone to colic? Then keeping a small diary of the causes can be helpful. Besides noting your horse's symptoms, it's also worthwhile to record other aspects of your daily routine. By aspects, I mean: weather conditions, changes in feed, exercise routine, competition schedule, changes in the herd (new arrivals or departures), a cold (even a runny nose is worth noting); to name just a few examples. Perhaps a pattern will emerge as you write it down! You flip back a page and think, "Hey, just like last time!" – and you're already much closer to the cause. Our horses have their own ways of communicating. Once we recognize them, they're no less clear than our own!
Possible causes of colic in horses:
Possible causes could be...
• faulty nutrition (this also includes malnutrition)
• Dental problems
• problems with the esophagus
• stress
• Weather changes
• insufficient or excessive exercise/overexertion, under-stimulation
• weakened immune system
Step 2 – Check your teeth
A horse's digestive system is a very complex process. It begins as soon as food is ingested in the horse's mouth. With its soft lips, the horse takes in its food, and digestion begins. It's worth taking a closer look, because the cause of colic can lie right here. Before the food makes its way down the esophagus to the stomach and finally into the intestines, it is prepared for its journey by salivation and chewing . This preparation is essential for the digestive system and, simply put, helps the food to pass more easily! However, if the horse suffers from dental or jaw problems and therefore cannot properly chew its food, difficulties can arise in the esophagus, disrupting the digestive process. This doesn't necessarily mean the worst. Often, a small irregularity on a molar is the culprit and is quickly identified by the veterinarian. The teeth then no longer interlock properly, which can significantly hinder the grinding of the food and thus the further course of digestion.
Step 3 – Check the menu
Incorrect nutrition can often be the cause of colic in horses. In this context, I would prefer to replace the word "incorrect" with "unsuitable." When it comes to our horse's diet, optimizing it—especially for horses with highly sensitive digestive systems—is often a trial-and-error process. We try our best and, of course, adhere to established feeding routines. But what works perfectly for one horse might not be well-received by another, or even lead to colic.
Always check your horse's fluid intake first. Provide fresh water regularly and carefully monitor how much your horse drinks (especially during the day in the paddock/pasture). Avoid feeding gas-producing foods . While your horse may love corn, beets, and bread, these can cause bloating and severe constipation. Dietary changes should always be made gradually. This includes extended grazing periods – start slowly when introducing your horse to pasture. Feed your horse moderate rations . If possible, feed more frequently rather than less often large portions. Even when feeding hay and straw, adjusting the ratio of hay to straw can prevent colic in some horses.
Step 4 – The ABCs of the Immune System
But what do you do if the vet's diagnosis, combined with my notes from step 1, points to a completely different cause for your horse's colic? One that can't be found through dental work or nutritional analysis. In my case, for example, changes in the weather were the main reason my horse developed colic. Approaching cold fronts seemed to particularly favor colic – although very stormy weather (not uncommon in the north) could also be a trigger. Up until then, I'd always been rather skeptical of such connections. Considering the weather as a cause of stomach pain? Um... definitely not my first thought – and to be honest, not my second either. But since there seemed to be a clear link between weather and well-being, I naturally started working on a solution.
I believe a strong immune system is absolutely essential for all living beings. It also provides an additional protective mechanism against colic. To optimally support my horse from within and improve its gut flora, it's advisable to regularly administer metabolic support treatments. You'll also notice an improvement in coat texture and skin. Of course, this requires some patience, as changes don't happen overnight – it takes time.
I can recommend the primal mineral zeolite for boosting the immune system. You can add it to your horse's feed either in pure powder form or as pellets. It's 100% natural and helps your horse react optimally to environmental influences. Zeolite is a feed additive that binds toxins. It works like a natural detox. Zeolite functions like a sponge, with its large internal surface area providing ample space to bind and eliminate waste products. When there are fewer toxins in the body, the metabolism can function optimally on its own. This supports the horse in eliminating toxins and boosts its self-regulation.
In every form of illness, it is important to consider the horse as a whole and to base preventative and follow-up care measures on this.
A course of treatment with HORSEKRAFT Zeolite for the prevention and aftercare of colic in horses – Here's how it works
Of course, it's entirely up to you and, above all, your horse which form of HORSEKRAFT Zeolite product you choose. Some horses prefer pellets, while others are perfectly happy with the pure powder form. Whether powder or pellets, both products are equally effective and ideally suited for intensive use, even over extended periods.
If your horse is one of the particularly picky eaters and scrutinizes even the smallest change in its feed, please take a look at the post HELP, MY HORSE WON'T EAT THE ZEOLITE POWDER. There you will find some very helpful tips to get your horse used to the addition of HORSEKRAFT Zeolite, if needed.
For a metabolism-supporting course, I personally find it beneficial to complete it over four to six weeks . You will, of course, find information on the daily dosage on the packaging. The only difference with this course is that you increase the daily dose for a certain period.
I proceeded by feel and increased the daily amount of zeolite powder by two scoops (in my case, this made it 60 grams instead of 40).
The measuring spoon holds 10g. Just make sure that the daily dose of 100g is not exceeded and that, if your horse needs to take medication, there is at least a 2-hour interval between taking the zeolite and the medication. And give him plenty of water to drink.
I do this detox and support program with zeolite twice a year. Once at the beginning of autumn, and once at the beginning of spring.
SEE HERE WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING ABOUT USING HORSEKRAFT ZEOLITE >>
Read here how to recognize the quality of zeolite >>
Have you had any experience with metabolism-boosting treatments for horses? Feel free to leave a comment – I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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