The Different Types Of Horse Colic And What To Do About Them

For all of us who have horses, the c-word is one of the most terrifying emergencies we never want to encounter. However, the best way to face horse colic head-on is to educate ourselves as much as we can. Colic is basically stomach pain in horses. The only problem with this is that it can turn into an emergency because what a horse eats has to come out the other end. Here is some information on the different types of horse colic:

Gas Colic

Just what it sounds like, gas colic is a form of colic caused by a build-up of gas in a horse’s intestines. This is generally caused by too much fermentation in the hind-gut of the intestinal tract and this pressure can cause pain and discomfort in the horse.

Impaction Colic

When food stops moving through the intestines, it becomes a blockage or impaction. With this kind of colic, the horse can not defecate because the intestines are not able to move.

Sand Colic

Horses that live in sandy areas and are fed on the ground are more at risk for sand colic. This occurs when sand builds up in the horse intestinal tract.

Spasmodic Colic

A type of colic that happens when a horse has spasms or cramping in their stomach. This can be painful.

Twisted or Torsion Colic

This form of colic is a real emergency and life-threatening. Twisted or torsion colic is where the intestines twist on themselves. This form of colic is an emergency and if not treated or resolved can cut off the blood flow to the intestinal tract beyond the twist, causing it to die.

Intussusception Colic

Mainly caused by intestinal parasites, this form is not only hard to say 5 times fast, but happens when the intestines slide over themselves. Another really important reason to be sure to keep your horse on a regular deworming schedule.

Although the real cause of why the majority of horses have colic is generally unknown, we do know that quick changes to their diets or routines can cause it as well as intestinal parasites.

Signs of a colicky horse can include:

• Not wanting to eat
• Kicking at the abdomen
• Tail twitching
• Laying down and not wanting to get up and rolling

If you notice signs of colic in your horse, call your veterinarian. They will be able to listen for gut sounds with their stethoscope to narrow down to what type of colic your horse has. The faster you notice the signs and alert your veterinarian the better, especially if the colic is life-threatening. You should also entice your horse to get up and walk if they just want to lay down. Walk them until they defecate or release gas. Your veterinarian can then come up with a plan for pain medications and diet recommendations to try to prevent it from happening again. This may include smaller but more frequent meals and more exercise as this can help the intestinal tract to keep moving. Supplements can also be added to encourage intestinal motility.

Colic is scary, but knowing what to do and reacting quickly is the best way to help your horse if they ever have to experience it.

Credit: [1], [2], [3]

About the Author

Dani Buckley is a small-town resident in Montana. She is a veterinary technician manager and mom of eight four-legged kids – 5 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 horses. When she moved back home to Montana, her horses and her dogs moved with her (Carbon and Milo). The pack grew by three when she moved in with her boyfriend, Cody. Altogether there is a German Shepard (Lupay), a Border Collie (Missy), a Blue Heeler (Taz) and her two adorable mutts.

Her horses are her free time passion – Squaw and Tulsa. Dani has owned Squaw for 17 years and this mare has made 2 trips across the country with Dani! Squaw is a retired rodeo and cow horse. Her other mare, Tulsa, is an upcoming ranch horse. The girls have an unmatched personality and bond with Dani. She has been around horses her entire life and rodeoed throughout highschool and beyond. Now, she enjoys riding on the ranch, working cattle and trail riding.