Colic And Your Horse – Part 2

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When Colic Does Grip Your Horse

If your horse does fall victim to colic, call your vet immediately and keep these things in mind:

Show Them You Care
Be a source of comfort for your horse and spend as much time with them through the ordeal as possible. A horse in pain probably has a lot of fear; in the wild, if a horse was incapacitated in any way, it made them more susceptible to predators and unable to keep up with the herd.

You can help alleviate some fear and an alarmed brain by gently stroking, massaging, and talking to your horse.

Keep Them Warm
Pull out a lightweight blanket or sheet to throw on your horse while walking him/her if needed (depending on the weather). Horses can become chilled because of sweating due to the response to intense pain. Even if you do not normally blanket your horse, keep a blanket stored as part of your emergency kit for times like these.

Think Ahead
You may as well keep a pair of sturdy tennis shoes in with that blanket, too, since we all know that walking that colicky horse is paramount. You don’t want them rolling and twisting a gut; that’s what can lead to surgery and oftentimes, death.

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Homeopathic Options

Don’t rule out the incredible value of homeopathic remedies. At worst, they will have no impact, and they potentially will save you a lot of money and heartache. A $5 investment in a homeopathic remedy indicated for impaction colic did for my horse what two veterinary visits, mineral oil, and drugs could not.

Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body’s own natural healing mechanisms. For the impaction colic that my horse was suffering from, I used the recommended remedy (along with massaging acupressure points) and saw results within 30 minutes.

The Vet Isn’t Always Right

My last conversation with the vet two hours earlier, who had been out twice in four days, was about setting up an appointment with the equine hospital for the surgery that I could not afford and was no guarantee of her life. We never went for the surgery because my horse started grazing and had a bowel movement within 20 minutes of giving the remedy and pressing on acupressure points for colic.

While you are digging into your alternative medicine stash that is next to your emergency kit, pull out some essential oil of lavender. Waft some under your horse’s nose and then take a whiff yourself. Lavendar is known for its calming, relaxing, and pain relieving effects. Don’t forget to try the Bach Flower remedy, Rescue Remedy, too.

Colic Can Affect The Gut And Your Heart

Image from aussiegal

Colic is never fun, and it can have heart-wrenching results. However, it is so common that there is almost no excuse for not being prepared. Don’t simply rely on the barn manager or veterinarian. While they can be a critical component to managing the crisis and helping your horse pull through, you yourself need to be knowledgeable about colic, be prepared for it, and keep a clear head.

You have to be able to make informed decisions for your horse if and when the time comes. Having the knowledge before you get into a situation that could be charged with emotion will benefit everyone, especially your horse.

Taking Charge

My horse pulled through the ordeal – without having to endure a trip to an equine hospital and surgery – but I am forever changed by the experience. I can never get a call from a boarding stable without my heartbeats increasing pace, even though it has been over six years since my horse’s brush with impaction colic.

I am a lot pickier about hay than most people wherever I board her, and I often can be found cleaning out the water trough myself instead of waiting on the management.

Seeing The Light

These things I do because I have been to the dark side and seen the results of a bad batch of thick-stemmed, old hay and whatever else caused the perfect storm in her guts that fine September day. I learned a lot about homeopathy, acupressure, and other treatments from complementary and alternative medicine from the experience, but I never again want to come that close to losing my horse if I can help it.

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