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Preventing
Colic In Horses
Avoiding The Hazards of spring
Dr.
Christine King BVSc, MACVSc, MvetClinStud
What
is it about springtime that seems to increase the incidence of
colic in horses? No
one knows for sure, but various studies indicate that changes
in pasture conditions and management are the prime contenders.
Here are the factors that I feel most often contribute
to spring colic:
Lush
spring pasture ( can cause spasmodic or “gas” colic)
Internal
parasites (especially the small strongyles, or
cyathostomes)
Showing
(and all of the stresses and changes in routine that go along
with it)
Foaling
In
horses that have been confined during the winter, gradually
increase their grazing time over a 2-3 week period, rather
than suddenly turning them out into lush spring pasture for
several hors at a time. In
horses that are on pasture year-round, put out some hay until
the grass matures a little.
Horses on spring pasture often eat a surprising amount
of hay when it is provided, which indicates that they probably
need it as a supplemental dry matter source.
Internal
Parasites
Internal
parasites, especially the large and small strongyles, may
contribute to spring colic for two reasons.
1.
The numbers of infective larvae on the pasture increase as the
days warm up.
2.
Encysted small strongyle larvae often emerge from the lining
of the bowel all at once at the start of the grazing season,
which can cause colic and/or diarrhea.
Ivermectin
and several other dewormers are effective against adult
strongyles and the later stage larvae.
But only two currently available dewormers claim to be
effective against encysted small strongyle larvae:
Moxidectin
(Quest), at the recommended doses and schedule
Fenbendazole
(Panacur), when twice the standard dose is given each day for
5 days (i.e. double-dose for 5 days)
When
to use a larvicidal treatment such as these depends on your
geographical locations, pasture management, and deworming
program. However,
it can be given at any time, including early spring.
Avoiding
Colic in Broodmares
The incidence of colic in broodmares increases in the last few
months of pregnancy and the first few weeks after foaling.
Broodmares are subject to the same types of colic found in
other horses; most common are spasmodic/gas colic, lare colon
impaction (blockage with feed material). And large colon
displacement ( in which the large colon moves out of
position). The
most important management strategies for preventing these
conditions in any horse include the following:
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Keep
grain-based concentrates (grain in any form, grain-based
sweet feed and pellets, etc.) to a minimum for that
horse’s needs. Feeding
a high-grain ration is a common factor in horses with
large colon displacements. High-fat diets are a good means of decreasing the amount
of grain-based feeds while still meeting the broodmare’s
high energy needs.
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2. Feed plenty
of high-quality roughage (good quality hay and/or
pasture). Poor quality roughage is one of the more common
factors in large colon impactions.
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3. Ensure
ample access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Reduction in water intake is another common factor
in large colon impactions.
Mares in peak lactations require much greater
amounts of water than other horses, so make sure the mare
has plenty of water, and preferably more than one water
source.
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4. Provide as
much pasture turnout as possible, for both roughage intake
and exercise. Large colon impactions seem to be more
common in horses that are confined.
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5. Maintain an
effective deworming program.
Not
every case of colic can be prevented.
But by applying these simple management strategies,
many cases of spring colic can be avoided.
This
article is an excerpt from Dr. King’s book, Preventing
Colic in Horses.
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