Colic may be one of the most feared words in the horse care industry. As you may know, there are several forms of colic, which are all quite dangerous, and can even be fatal. While there is no way to absolutely guarantee that your horse will never get colic, there are some things you can do to decrease the risk. A Wichita, KS vet lists some of them below.

Dental Care

Dental issues are another possible factor. If your horse’s teeth are crooked or uneven, he may not be able to chew his food properly. This puts him at increased risk of developing colic. Make sure to have his teeth floated regularly.

Hydration

Making sure your horse is getting enough water is also important. In winter, you may need to warm the water up a bit: some horses don’t like ice-cold water.

Clean Water

We know, scrubbing buckets isn’t the best part of having a horse. However, keeping your hooved pal’s buckets clean is very important. Dirty buckets are havens for bugs, dirt, and bacteria, which can cause or contribute to gastrointestinal problems.

Exercise

Have you ever noticed that horses move constantly when they are in pastures? They may not spend hours running around, but they do continuously wander about while grazing. The key thing about that is that it’s a good reminder that horses really aren’t made for staying still very long. Make sure Silver is getting enough turnout time and exercise.

Feed Properly

Proper nutrition is important for many reasons. IT’s also crucial for preventing colic. Every horse is a bit different, so you’ll need to consider Silver’s age, activity level, environment, and health. Ask your vet for guidance on feed and portion control.

Sand

Is your land dusty or sandy? This can also be a factor for colic. Use troughs or buckets to feed Silver. Choose ones he can’t knock over easily.

Parasite Control

Parasites can also cause colic. Keep up with your horse’s deworming and parasite control regimen. It’s also important to remove manure and waste from stalls daily and from fields and paddocks regularly.

Cool Down

A good cooldown is part of basic good horse care, but it’s also very important for preventing colic. Be sure to walk Silver after riding him.

Please contact us, your Wichita, KS vet clinic, for all your horse’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!