WHAT IS IT? preSenTIng SympTomS DIeTAry AnD

EQUINE NUTRITION solution CARD
Colic
WHAT IS IT?
• Colic is a manifestation of abdominal pain that may be
from many different sources.
• There are many causes of colic of which most are related
to feeding mismanagement.
• The number one cause of colic is related to overloading the capacity of the small intestine to properly digest
starch, leading to hindgut fermentation of starch.
• Stomach problems may be related to gastric ulcers.
presenting symptoms
• In mild colic cases, symptoms may include lethargy, loss of
appetite, lack of fecal movements, laying down and getting
up repeatedly, turning the head toward the flank.
• In more severe cases, symptoms may start to include
excessive sweating, restlessness, pawing, rolling, kicking or biting at the belly, shallow breathing or swelling of the abdomen.
DIETARY and MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
• Horses should have access to good quality hay or pasture
at all times.
• Horses should be turned out or ridden daily.
• Horses should have fresh water available at all times,
particularly in very hot or cold temperatures.
• Never feed concentrate (grain) meals of more than 0.5% of the horse’s body weight in one feeding.
• Avoid sudden changes in hay and concentrates.
• Do not feed spoiled or moldy feeds.
DIETARY and MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
(continued)
• Horses should be completely cooled and properly
rehydrated before being fed concentrates.
• Horses that bolt their feed should be fed small amounts
more frequently, and feeding devices may be needed to
slow consumption.
• Horses should be fed individually or in small groups to prevent some individuals from consuming other horses’ rations.
• Close attention must be paid to both rapidly growing lush pasture grass or grass growing under stress conditions
as high fructan content under these growing conditions
can lead to colic.
• Chronic high soluble carbohydrate intake may alter
hindgut function. This may predispose the horse to colic.
• High whole grain diets may predispose horse to colic as
the unprocessed starch in these rations are typically not
digested in the small intestine, leading to starch overload
in the hindgut.
• Horses should always be fed a minimum of 1% body weight
per day as forage. Utilize high fat and highly digestible fiber
feeds to minimize risk of starch overload in the hindgut.
• Utilize feeds with added yeast culture, direct fed microbials
and organic trace minerals to enhance fiber digestion and
the bioavailability of nutrients, particularly in cases where
there’s a history of colic.
Suggested Nutrena® SOLUTIONS
Colic RISK REDUCTION
SafeChoice® Original OR
SafeChoice® Special Care OR
SafeChoice® Perform OR
Life Design® Senior
Example Feeding Recommendations:
• 1,000 lb. horse prone to colic in light work: 15 lb. hay and 6 lb. SafeChoice® Original
• 1,000 lb. horse prone to colic: 15 lb. hay and 8 lb. Life Design® Senior * Diets should be adjusted according to body condition.
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