Prevent horse colic and reduce the risk of colic by carefully using a good parasite control program.
Combine this with a reduction of the stress in your horse and by providing your horse with plenty of fresh, clean water.
Horse Colic
Good basic care is the best way to reduce the risk of or prevent colic in your horse.
A simple but structured daily routine, daily health checks and healthy nutritious food forms the essential requirements of a good basic routine.
The best ways to prevent horse colic :
Fresh Water … Make sure there is always plenty of fresh clean water available.
And that it does not freeze in winter. Invest in a trough heater or arrange to break the ice regularly.
Remember winter roughage generally contains less than 20% moisture whereas summer and spring grass contain 75% or more.
Without sufficient liquid your horses food becomes dry and prevents easy bowel movement ie; peristaltic action.
However, don’t give your horse anything but small amounts of warm water if he gets overheated.
Routine – Stick to a regular exercise and feeding schedule to prevent horse colic.
Feed your horse mainly roughage and only a little grain or energy-rich supplement and divide the daily feed over two or more rations.
Twice as much energy should come from your horses hay or forage than from supplements.
Don’t put hay or other feedstuffs on the ground, especially where the soil is sandy; and check regularly for twine, plastic bags and other human detritus which could be ingested by your horse.
Constipated Horse? …
If your horse is prone to constipation use Psyllium Husks regularly in his feed. But; make sure you check with your vet first.
Worming Program … Develop a tactical approach to worming that ensures maximum effectiveness.
Use our free worming programme to monitor and track what wormers you use and when you use them. The guide also lets you know the wormers that are effective against different worms and the worming page will teach you all about the little nasties.
Stress … Try to keep stress to a minimum
Either minimise the amount of travel or eliminate the need for transportation to horse shows.
Try to make sure your horse has a friend to graze with and / or travel with and make sure your horse is comfortable and settled in his home environment.