Advice about Colic

Did you know that 90% of colics are ‘medical’? This means that they’re caused by a malfunction of the gut that does not need surgery to reverse.

Of these, the majority are either spasmodic colics (gut cramps) or impactions (a bit like constipation), and are often caused by dehydration.

Avoiding colic:

• Dehydration is a common trigger for medical colic
• Many cases can be avoided by providing free access to water after exercise and giving horse-specific electrolytes in food
• Change diets gradually to allow the gut to adapt
• Keeping worming up to date will reduce the risk of worm-associated colics
• Regular dental care helps horses chew their food better and may reduce risks