Managing Your Horse After an Episode of Colic

As a horse recovers from an episode of colic, you must carefully monitor the animal for recurrence of colic.  There is no way to predict if and when colic will recur, so you must be alert to any signs of another episode.

Important Points in Treatment

1. Check your horse for signs of colic every ___ hour.  If possible, measure the heart rate and listen for intestinal sounds.
2. Hand walk your horse for ___ minutes every ___ hour(s).
3. Provide access to fresh water at all times.
4. Offer your horse bran mash ___ times per day.  Add a handful of grain and 2 tablespoons of salt to a 1 lb. coffee can of bran, then mix with warm water to a paste consistency.
5. Offer flakes of hay ad lib.
6. About 24 hours after colic signs have subsided, feed half the usual amount of feed and lightly exercise your horse.  After 48 hours of normal intestinal sounds and normal passage of manure, feed and exercise your horse as usual.
7. After this episode of colic resolves, we should evaluate the following: Feeding program, Prevention in ingestion of sand, Deworming program, Water intake, Dental health, & Gastrointestinal diagnostic tests.

You have any questions concerning about this or recurring signs of colic

Abnormal/no manure after 24 hours

No appetite after 12 hours

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