How to identify and prevent colic in horses

Colic in horses is one of the top reasons for making a claim on horse health insurance policies. It can be fatal and the vet bills quickly mount up especially if surgery is required. In all cases of colic the earlier you spot the signs and call your vet the greater the chances your horse has of making a full recovery. Veterinary intervention is always essential.
In my experience a horse affected by any type of colic is likely to be at an increased risk of further colic episodes in the future. Colic can occur all year round and there are different types to look for. In this article I will explain what impaction colic and gassy colic is in

This stimulates sensitive nerves in the gut wall called stretch receptors which send pain signals to the brain. It is these pain signals that result in a horse displaying signs of abdominal discomfort the signs of colic vets and owners recognise.
Impaction colic is particularly prevalent during the winter and accounts for between 8 and 10 of all colic cases. Over time the impacted food material becomes progressively harder and direr and therefore more difficult to shift. Most impactions can be resolved with medical treatment such as oral fluids and painkillers but occasionally surgical intervention is needed to unblock the intestine.
Early detection of impaction colic is key but even better is to try to reduce the chance of it occurring in the first place. Knowing how and why impacts occur makes it far easier to identify both possible solutions and the management changes we can implement to minimise the risk.
Causes of impaction colic
The horses gut is long and convoluted with various narrow sections and bends. Impactions typically occur at these locations where the passage of food slows down. The pelvic flexure is one such site. Its a hairpinlike kink found on the left side of the abdominal cavity near the flank where the large colon turns back on itself and narrows and a common location for impaction colic.
As we look at other risk factors associated with impaction colic it becomes easier to understand why horses are so prone to this type of colic during the winter months. I have seen and treated numerous cases of impaction colic in horses. Below are some of the most common causes
1 Lack of movement
Shorter daylight hours poached fields or lack of winter grazing inevitably result in reduced turnout and