As a horse owner, the last thing you want is to see your equine companion in distress. One of the most frustrating and worrying health problems for horses is colic, a term describing abdominal pain. It's essential to know the right diet and which feed types work best for horses who experience colic. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the most appropriate feed choices for a colicky horse, together with examples and key considerations, ensuring your horse remains healthy, happy, and comfortable. So, let's saddle up and delve into the world of feeding horses with colic!
Feed Types For Horses Who Colic Table of Contents
Understanding Colic:
First, let's briefly discuss what colic is and why it affects horses. Colic covers a wide variety of digestive issues, such as gas build-up, impactions, and twists or torsions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Many factors contribute to colic, including stress, a sudden change in diet, lack of exercise, dehydration, or even rapid temperature changes. The key to a happy, colic-free horse lies in a well-planned and consistent diet, so let's look at some suitable feed types for horses who are prone to colic.
1. High Fiber Feed:
A high fiber diet mimics the natural grazing behavior of horses, keeping their GI tract in motion and reducing the risk of impactions. High fiber sources include hay, haylage, and grass. Providing your horse with quality hay or pasture helps keep their digestive system healthy and reduces the risk of colic.
2. Soaked or Steamed Hay:
Soaking or steaming hay can benefit colicky horses. Soaking hay softens it and reduces the dust content, while steaming helps preserve the nutritional value and leaves the fibers more digestible. Horses who experience impaction colic may find soaked hay helpful in warding off future episodes, as the water content makes it easier for their digestive system to break down.
3. Complete or Senior Feed:
Complete feeds are specially designed to cover the nutritional needs of a horse and reduce the amount of roughage required. They are particularly great for older horses or those with dental issues that struggle to chew and digest hay. Look for complete feeds with a high fiber content and a low-carbohydrate composition, such as a feed made primarily from beet pulp and alfalfa.
4. Low-Fructose Grasses and Hays:
Selecting low-fructose grasses and hays, such as Timothy, Bermuda, or low sugar/starch Haylage, can help prevent colic episodes in some horses as they have a lower sugar content than traditional forage types. The low sugar content also makes them suitable for horses with insulin resistance, which can be linked to colic episodes.
Feed Types For Horses Who Colic Example:
To give you a practical example, let's consider a 1,000-pound adult horse prone to colic. You may choose to feed this horse 20 pounds of high-quality orchardgrass hay and 1 pound of beet pulp-based soaked pellets daily. Adding a probiotic supplement to aid digestion and monitor the horse's hydration, vital signs, and manure output will help keep colic at bay.
In conclusion, feeding horses who colic requires careful consideration of their dietary needs and preferences. By providing a diet rich in fiber and low in sugars and starches, regularly monitoring their health, and making gradual changes to their diet, you can significantly reduce the risk of colic episodes. Now that you know more about feeding horses with colic, why not share this guide with fellow horse enthusiasts, so everyone can give their equine companions the best possible care? Be sure to explore our other articles on How to Own a Horse for more expert tips and advice on managing a happy, healthy horse!
