Modern horses have a very different lifestyle than their ancestors. Already 50 years ago horses led very different lives than today. The horses lived in the plains in herds and foraging for grass continuously. But most of the modern horse, it is quite a different situation.
While some horses still involved in the paddocks, many are now placed in the stalls and do not have access to grass all day. This change in eating pattern is causing a lot of colic. Colic is actually a term to describe a horse stomach pains. Although there are many reasons for colic is a major source of feed.
horses stomach is a very unique and delicate in many ways. The horse’s stomach is very small and are designed for several small meals or continuous eating and not the standard two large feeds we give them today.
Horses are no longer wild and machines they were Yester years, now keeps horses, pets or livestock show.
And so, we tend to keep them in stalls, and so they are no longer able to graze. Although many of the horses have adapted to living in a very modern and will never get colic other horses are not so lucky.Colic is one of the most common ailments that horse owners have to deal with, and at the same time, it is usually only mild discomfort to a horse, sometimes it can show is fatal.
What happens is that instead of the constant stream of food the horse’s stomach is quickly confronted with a lot of food intake. Horses can not tell when they are full, and then eat it all at once (hmmm sounds like a few people I know). This fast food, usually shocks the digestive tract. When the stomach should be filled with more than “good” bacteria that break down food die. Since microorganisms are no longer available to break down food, it just has a tendency to lie on your stomach and produce toxins. As these toxins accumulate in the horse’s system for a horse starts to become uncomfortable and signs of colic.
A horse can only see a little uncomfortable, and be yourself. He may begin with fever and climbing up and down several times. This is a sure sign of colic. As soon as you notice signs of colic, you should contact your veterinarian. The generally accepted treatment is to keep going until you mess around with your veterinarian arrives. As the pain intensifies horse can lie down and roll. It is important that you let the horse roll. Rolling around in the gut may cause, and it is a serious internal problem, which often require surgery.
We hope that you will never have a horse colic, but even now if you do not know what to look for and what to do.
Happy Horsing
Jo Thompson