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Expert
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| Has anyone notice the number of horses colicing recently? Some have died others have had to go surgery. Do you think it is the processed feeds that we feed increasing the incidence of colic? | |
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 Expert
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| readytorodeo - 2016-04-26 10:07 AM
Has anyone notice the number of horses colicing recently? Some have died others have had to go surgery. Do you think it is the processed feeds that we feed increasing the incidence of colic?
I think its more so the weather. This year has been really weird. Temps in the 90s when there should be 3ft of snow, then 3 ft of snow when it should be green and warm. Then weeks of warm with few days cold etc. Some horses just do not do well when the pressure changes. Others it has no effect. My guess the ones dying are the ones most sensitive and located in areas where there are almost daily changes. I sold a horse few years back just for this reason, CHEAP. He was a 1D-2D finished horse but any little weather change and he would colic. Even if you were hauling him to a race and it was warm at home and 2 hours away it was cooler you would unload and down he would go. I got tired of having to check the weather every time I wanted to run him. Even the vets said they had never seen one so sensitive. I even had belly xrays done at a hospital cause we were certain there was a stone and it would just shift at a moments notice. He was CLEAN. Tried every supplement on the market, forco, ulcer meds, nada. Finally one day I had to pencil out how much he was winning, and at the time he was consistent 1D and winning about 1,000 a month, but he was costing me 1500 in vet bills. lol So I sold him for whatever I still owed my vet, I think 900.00 or something and he was easily a 25,000 dollar horse. I was so frustrated that at one point I said next time he does it I'm going to put him down myself. lol | |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | I agree with the weather. We went from highs of 25 degrees with 50mph winds, blowing sleet and snow. To highs of 65, sunshine. Then back to snow and wind. My gelding has coliced 3 times. Two were very minor. But the first one was pretty bad.
Editing to add: I am considering selling him for this reason. Bought him to put a pattern on him. But he has been and had so many issues, i just don't think it will be worth the time... ESPECIALLY if he's going to colic whenever the sun is shining.
Edited by ~BINGO~ 2016-04-26 12:41 PM
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 Toastest with the Mostest
Posts: 5712
Location: That part of Texas | Spring time in my area is usually full of weird weather shifts/changes that can lead to colic but also with all the new vegetation coming up, you have to worry about sand colic too. I lost one about four years ago to sand colic that I had no idea she was in danger of it -- had been out on pasture all winter, fed daily and had hay on top of it all. It can happen quickly. | |
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Cat Collector
Posts: 1430
| I just lost a young one to colic as well, the vet said she has seen increased cases because of the weather. It sure sucks | |
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 Take a Picture
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| First of all, there are a lot of horses out there that are not colicking. We only hear about those who are. There really are a lot of factors that can cause colic. First of all, we have taken the horse out of their natural environment and put them in a run or stall away from the grassy pastures. Weather definitely plays a part, worming, ulcers just to name a few. I recommend a subscription to THE HORSE MAGAZINE. They have many articles on horse health and preventative measures. | |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | streakysox - 2016-04-26 2:19 PM First of all, there are a lot of horses out there that are not colicking. We only hear about those who are. There really are a lot of factors that can cause colic. First of all, we have taken the horse out of their natural environment and put them in a run or stall away from the grassy pastures. Weather definitely plays a part, worming, ulcers just to name a few. I recommend a subscription to THE HORSE MAGAZINE. They have many articles on horse health and preventative measures.
agreed | |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia |
I think its definitely weather related. We have had a pretty mild spring around here and no crazy weather changes like normal. Usually here in GA it'll be 40 degrees one day and 80 the next. Its been a consistent 65-75 degrees during the day for the past few months, which is a nice change. It's warming up this week unfortunately. Point is, I havent seen many colic cases in this area. I'm sure horses are still colicing because that's what horses do, but last year was much worse around here. Prayers for anyone who has lost one of their horses this year. I watch my horses like a hawk every spring. | |
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 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
| readytorodeo - 2016-04-26 12:07 PM Has anyone notice the number of horses colicing recently? Some have died others have had to go surgery. Do you think it is the processed feeds that we feed increasing the incidence of colic?
No. I think a horse is born looking for a place to die. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | Bringing this thread back up. I'm in Central CA & my colt just had a mild colic episode last night. The weather was warm all day & then suddenly wind & rain. The weather has been really wacky in my area lately. I say "mild colic" because he wasn't really stretching, but he was kicked and biting a bit at his stomach. Almost tried to lay down, but got himself right back up. (only made it to his knees). But weird part, he was SOOO HYPER. I mean, he thought he was running in the derby tomorrow LOL. I was trying to walk him, but he was screaming, rearing, bucking and prancing. I could hardly make him walk. 
He is up to date on worming, gets sand clear. Diet consists of grass/alfalfa hay, rice bran with flax seed & DAC oil.
I've delt with sand colic before, but not so much with just being do to the weather.
How does everyone deal with colic due to the weather? | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | My colt had a very very mild colic episode a couple weeks ago. He was being quite the dramatic character at the house, but a 10 minute trailer ride to the vet got everything moving around again and he was perfectly fine by the time I unloaded him at the clinic.
The weather was perfect, no processed feeds or dietary changes. Best we could figure is all the spring grasses popping up? The pasture changes are the only changes he's had in his sheltered life. Lol! | |
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| ccarpe18 - 2016-05-06 11:49 AM
Bringing this thread back up. I'm in Central CA & my colt just had a mild colic episode last night. The weather was warm all day & then suddenly wind & rain. The weather has been really wacky in my area lately. I say "mild colic" because he wasn't really stretching, but he was kicked and biting a bit at his stomach. Almost tried to lay down, but got himself right back up. (only made it to his knees). But weird part, he was SOOO HYPER. I mean, he thought he was running in the derby tomorrow LOL. I was trying to walk him, but he was screaming, rearing, bucking and prancing. I could hardly make him walk.
He is up to date on worming, gets sand clear. Diet consists of grass/alfalfa hay, rice bran with flax seed & DAC oil.
I've delt with sand colic before, but not so much with just being do to the weather.
How does everyone deal with colic due to the weather?
I'm in SOuthern CA and I feel your pain on the dramatic shifts. I always give my horses electrolytes the day before a weather shift and keep them on it until everything gets back to normal. Wednesday it was pushing 90 degrees, yesterday 70, today 55 with possible rain. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 425
Location: California | FLITASTIC - 2016-05-06 12:06 PM ccarpe18 - 2016-05-06 11:49 AM Bringing this thread back up. I'm in Central CA & my colt just had a mild colic episode last night. The weather was warm all day & then suddenly wind & rain. The weather has been really wacky in my area lately. I say "mild colic" because he wasn't really stretching, but he was kicked and biting a bit at his stomach. Almost tried to lay down, but got himself right back up. (only made it to his knees). But weird part, he was SOOO HYPER. I mean, he thought he was running in the derby tomorrow LOL. I was trying to walk him, but he was screaming, rearing, bucking and prancing. I could hardly make him walk.
He is up to date on worming, gets sand clear. Diet consists of grass/alfalfa hay, rice bran with flax seed & DAC oil.
I've delt with sand colic before, but not so much with just being do to the weather.
How does everyone deal with colic due to the weather? I'm in SOuthern CA and I feel your pain on the dramatic shifts. I always give my horses electrolytes the day before a weather shift and keep them on it until everything gets back to normal. Wednesday it was pushing 90 degrees, yesterday 70, today 55 with possible rain.
Right? It's horrible! 90 during the day 50 & raining the next. My poor horses.
What brand of electrolytes do you feed? I also thought about getting the ColiCare from SmartPac. But I don't know if it actually works?
Plus also going to be looking into insurance on my colt now. Ridiculous! Granted, I probably should have that anyway  | |
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Expert
Posts: 5293
| ccarpe18 - 2016-05-06 1:31 PM
FLITASTIC - 2016-05-06 12:06 PM ccarpe18 - 2016-05-06 11:49 AM Bringing this thread back up. I'm in Central CA & my colt just had a mild colic episode last night. The weather was warm all day & then suddenly wind & rain. The weather has been really wacky in my area lately. I say "mild colic" because he wasn't really stretching, but he was kicked and biting a bit at his stomach. Almost tried to lay down, but got himself right back up. (only made it to his knees). But weird part, he was SOOO HYPER. I mean, he thought he was running in the derby tomorrow LOL. I was trying to walk him, but he was screaming, rearing, bucking and prancing. I could hardly make him walk.
He is up to date on worming, gets sand clear. Diet consists of grass/alfalfa hay, rice bran with flax seed & DAC oil.
I've delt with sand colic before, but not so much with just being do to the weather.
How does everyone deal with colic due to the weather? I'm in SOuthern CA and I feel your pain on the dramatic shifts. I always give my horses electrolytes the day before a weather shift and keep them on it until everything gets back to normal. Wednesday it was pushing 90 degrees, yesterday 70, today 55 with possible rain.
What brand of electrolytes do you feed? I also thought about getting the ColiCare from SmartPac. But I don't know if it actually works?
Plus also going to be looking into insurance on my colt now. Ridiculous! Granted, I probably should have that anyway
I use the Adeptus version of Electrolytes called PERSERVERE. The horses LOVE IT and will lick it out of my hands!!! LOl Horses usually do NOT like electrolytes. | |
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