June is Equine Colic Awareness Month.

Do you know the signs of colic in your horse?

-Not passing manure

-Excessive laying down or rolling

-Lack of appetite

-Low/no gut sounds

-Frequently looking at or biting their sides or flank

-Increased sweating and increased heart rate

-Standing with neck stretched out

-Excessive pawing

If you see these symptoms, call your vet immediately. Every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be hard to tell a mild one from a serious one in the early stages.

What are some ways you can help prevent colic from occurring?

-providing clean, fresh water at all times

-ensure your horses have adequate salt intake (salt blocks are not designed for horses!)

-increase turn out (movement promotes the transit of food through the GI tract)

-make any feed changes gradually

-feed a high quality forage-rich diet that is balanced

-reduce excess stress (intensive training and competition schedule, abrupt changes to horse's environment or routine, confinement in a stall, long trailer rides, low position in the herd/more competition for food and water)

-avoid long term use of NSAIDs

-deworm your horse

-support gut health with a pre or probiotic