Each season brings something different in the realm of
horse health. A season would not be complete without some kind of malady appearing that requires the knowledge and expertise of the veterinarians. Spring has problems with foaling while summer is full of injuries related to various competitions in which the horses compete. Fall and winter have their own problems in an illness called impaction colic.
Equine colic in itself refers to any type of gastro-intestinal distress. The term can refer to anything from a minor gas bubble to a serious and major twist of the intestines. On the other hand an impaction is a blockage of feed material within any part of the over ninety feet of intestines that comprise the abdominal cavity of a horse.
There are a variety of reasons a horse may develop impaction colic. There are several areas where the colon makes a 180° turn. This opens up many opportunities for easy blockage, and during one of the turns the
diameter of the colon is half its normal size which makes blockage even easier. Another problem that is prevalent that can affect
horse health is the fact that the functionality of the colon varies throughout the course of its journey. For instance, at the location where the colon makes a hairpin turn and its diameter decreases, the consistency of the
horse feed that was consumed changes from liquid to extremely dry.
Be sure to leave plenty of fresh water for your horse.
The next question that may come to mind is why this particular type of equine colic is more common in the fall and winter. Experts believe this is because as the weather becomes cooler horses have a tendency to drink less water which causes the
horse feed that was consumed to become very dry and thus more apt to become stuck. Also, during the winter there is less grass, so those horses that are used to feasting on
grass regularly will begin to see drier feces. The change from competition and training to winter rest can also have an effect on the way the intestines need to function.
It’s important for horse owners to know how to recognize the signs of impaction. The first signs you will note are those of low-grade
equine colic: pawing, loss of appetite, rolling and decreased production of manure). When you notice these signs you will want to call your veterinarian to evaluate and diagnose your horse. Other signs you may notice include smaller or drier fecal balls, decrease in his consumption of water and changes in his overall attitude.
Check your stud for signs he may not be feeling well.
When a veterinarian performs a
rectal examination he is able to examine more than ten organs without any technical assistance other than the arm which is used to conduct a rectal examination. Fortunately the area that is more commonly impacted is located far back in the area of the pelvis, so it is easy to detect. Although the veterinarian’s arm goes into the rectum of the horse, he is actually feeling through the rectal wall and the large wall of the colon to the impaction. This means when the vet pulls manure out it doesn’t mean he is relieving the impaction but only cleaning out the rectum so he has more room to feel around to locate the impaction. Once the veterinarian diagnosis impaction, the treatment will be focused on rehydrating the horse and breaking up the feed material by giving him large amounts of water and mineral oil in addition to another material such as
Epsom salts. This is accomplished by placement of a tube in the horse’s stomach. For horses with a large blockage or one that has been going on for a long time it may be necessary to administer intravenous fluids in an effort to “super-hydrate” him. Pain control medication will also be necessary so he will remain comfortable while the impaction passes.
Impaction colic is general considered a medical colic because they do not customarily require surgical removal. However, it can take quite some time and money to effectively take care of them. The keys to prevention include making sure your horse drinks plenty of water and is still producing plenty of manure during the cold weather. You should also provide him with a regular exercise routine to stimulate the intestines.
