.
Signs of Colic
The signs of colic in horses range from almost imperceptible in mild cases to extremely violent in
severe cases. The following list includes the most common signs:
lying down more than usual
getting up and lying down repeatedly
standing stretched out
standing frequently as if to urinate
turning the head towards the flank
repeatedly curling the upper lip
pawing the ground
kicking at the abdomen
rolling
What to do
The severity of the case will dictate what you do when you find your horse showing signs of colic. If he
is behaving violently call your veterinarian immediately. Violent behaviour usually equates with great
pain which usually equates with a serious case of colic. Time is of the essence here. Not all horses
show the same severity of signs with the same type of colic, though, and some horses may become
quite violent with a relatively "mild" case. If the signs of pain are less extreme, you can take a few
minutes to observe the horse's appearance and behaviour before calling the veterinarian.
If possible, take his temperature, pulse and respiration rates.
Note what his appetite has been like in the past day or so, and the consistency and frequency of
defecation.
Has his water intake been normal?
Are his gums a normal colour?
Think about whether he has had access to any unusual feedstuffs in the past day or so, whether any
medications have been administered, and whether there have been any changes in management.
Now call your veterinarian. It is important to take all food away from the horse until the veterinarian
arrives. If he is nibbling at his bedding, find a way to prevent this. Walking the horse can be a useful
way of distracting him from the pain, but he should not be walked to exhaustion. If the horse insists on
rolling, there will be little you can do to prevent it. If possible, try to get the horse to an area where he
will do himself the least damage when he rolls. But do not get hurt yourself. Do not administer any
drugs until your veterinarian has seen the horse, or unless he/she tells you to do so.
Prevention of colic
If you happen to be a horse, colic is probably an unfortunate fact of life. Annual colic incidences of
approximately 10% are quite common. Listed below are some of the management factors which are
thought to reduce colic incidence. Horses which fall into high-risk categories, such as stabled horses in
intense training and fit horses recently injured, should be monitored particularly closely.
allow as much turnout as possible
maintain a regular feeding schedule
ensure constant access to clean water
provide at least 60% of digestible energy from forage
do not feed excessive digestible energy
do not feed moldy hay or grain
feed hay and water before grain
provide access to forage for as much of the day as possible
do not over graze pastures
do not feed or water horses before they have cooled out
maintain a consistent exercise regime
make all changes in diet, exercise level and management slowly
control intestinal parasites and assess efficiency periodically.
Signs of Colic
The signs of colic in horses range from almost imperceptible in mild cases to extremely violent in
severe cases. The following list includes the most common signs:
lying down more than usual
getting up and lying down repeatedly
standing stretched out
standing frequently as if to urinate
turning the head towards the flank
repeatedly curling the upper lip
pawing the ground
kicking at the abdomen
rolling
What to do
The severity of the case will dictate what you do when you find your horse showing signs of colic. If he
is behaving violently call your veterinarian immediately. Violent behaviour usually equates with great
pain which usually equates with a serious case of colic. Time is of the essence here. Not all horses
show the same severity of signs with the same type of colic, though, and some horses may become
quite violent with a relatively "mild" case. If the signs of pain are less extreme, you can take a few
minutes to observe the horse's appearance and behaviour before calling the veterinarian.
If possible, take his temperature, pulse and respiration rates.
Note what his appetite has been like in the past day or so, and the consistency and frequency of
defecation.
Has his water intake been normal?
Are his gums a normal colour?
Think about whether he has had access to any unusual feedstuffs in the past day or so, whether any
medications have been administered, and whether there have been any changes in management.
Now call your veterinarian. It is important to take all food away from the horse until the veterinarian
arrives. If he is nibbling at his bedding, find a way to prevent this. Walking the horse can be a useful
way of distracting him from the pain, but he should not be walked to exhaustion. If the horse insists on
rolling, there will be little you can do to prevent it. If possible, try to get the horse to an area where he
will do himself the least damage when he rolls. But do not get hurt yourself. Do not administer any
drugs until your veterinarian has seen the horse, or unless he/she tells you to do so.
Prevention of colic
If you happen to be a horse, colic is probably an unfortunate fact of life. Annual colic incidences of
approximately 10% are quite common. Listed below are some of the management factors which are
thought to reduce colic incidence. Horses which fall into high-risk categories, such as stabled horses in
intense training and fit horses recently injured, should be monitored particularly closely.
allow as much turnout as possible
maintain a regular feeding schedule
ensure constant access to clean water
provide at least 60% of digestible energy from forage
do not feed excessive digestible energy
do not feed moldy hay or grain
feed hay and water before grain
provide access to forage for as much of the day as possible
do not over graze pastures
do not feed or water horses before they have cooled out
maintain a consistent exercise regime
make all changes in diet, exercise level and management slowly
control intestinal parasites and assess efficiency periodically.
COLIC
EQUINE HEALTH, & TIPS
Pleasure Horse Vaccination Chart
DISEASE: VACCINATION:
Botulism
Organism:Clostridium botulinum. Organism is ingested or absorbed through wounds. Causes
neurologic disease.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: Preganant mares in areas of high risk (mostly Kentucky and Ohio) should be vaccinated 1
month prior to foaling to prevent shaker foal syndrome, a neurologic disease in newborn foals.
Encephalomyelitis
(EEE,WEE,VEE) Insect-bourne neurologic disease that is fatal.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: Mandatory vaccination. Booster every 6 months in risky areas. Should be administered in
spring just before insects appear. Humans can become infected if not vaccinated.
Tetanus
Organism:Clostridium tetani. Organism enters wounds and releases toxins resulting in neurologic
disease. Can be fatal.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: Re-vaccinate if wounded 6 months or more after most recent booster. Tetanus organism is
present in every region.
Influenza Respiratory infection. Signs: fever, depression, nasal discharge, cough.
DOSAGE:
Annually
Booster
3 wks before competition or likely exposure
NOTES: Producing & maintaining an effective vaccine is difficult, since there are many strains of the
virus.
Strangles
Organism:Streptocuccus equi. Respiratory infection. Signs: fever, nasal discharge, abscessed lymph
nodes under lower jaw.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: Highly contagious.
Potomac Horse Fever
Orgamism:Ehrlichia risticii. Severe diarrhea with high rate of fatality.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: Only in eastern half of US. Vaccinate every 4 months in high risk areas. Annually where risk is
low. Vaccine is incomplete and short-lived, but vaccinated animals have a lower mortality rate and less
severe signs with the disease.
Rabies Neurologic disease. 100% fatal.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: [none]
Rhinopneumonitis
Equine Herpes Virus. Two strains: EHV-1 and EHV-4.
DOSAGE:
Booster 3 wks before likely exposure.
Annually
NOTES: EHV-4 Causes respiratory disease.
EHV-1 Causes abortion in pregnant mares,
neurologic disease in mature horses, and respiratory disease. This virus is very widespread.
Equine Viral Arteritis Respiratory disease. Signs: high fever, edema, leaky blood vessels. Abortion in
preg. mares.
DOSAGE:
Annually
NOTES: Only mandatory if breeding. Check regulations prior to vaccinating.
NOTE: New vaccines are created frequently. Please check with your veterinarian for the most updated
vaccines and health care schedules. Ask your vet about the new West Nile Virus vaccine, and the EPM
vaccine. This chart is supplied only as an example of a Foal's Vaccination Schedule. Your horse's
vaccination schedule should be tailored specifically to your horse's needs by your veterinarian.
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