Bad Weekend - and a lesson learnt

AmyMay

AmyMay

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My poor boy had colic on Friday night. I've never had a horse with colic in my life, and it's not something I would ever wish to happen again.

I returned from exercising feeling great. He'd worked really hard, and we'd both enjoyed our selves. Having been back at the yard for around 35-40 mins I fed him, thinking that he was cool and ok to feed.

Mistake - he broke out some 10 mins after fininshing his tea, showed colic symptoms another 5 mins later. And from then on got steadily worse. The vet was with me within 20 mins of phoning, and some 25 mins after the onset of the colic.

My mild mannered lad had turned in to half a ton of raging fury - who then proceeded to get cast.

Bloody nightmare - which thankfully had a successful outcome. Painkillers and anti inflamatories sorted him out - and he spent a comfortable night.

So I'm wearing a hair shirt today - feel absolutely terrible that I caused this situation to arise - and just wanted to remind everyone of the perils of feeding too quickly after exercise.

I did, and could have killed my horse!
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Oh Cr*p, poor you and poor horse. Glad to hear he's ok. TBH, I probably would have fed 35 mins after exercise if the horse was cooled off as well and not thought anything of it.......just goes to show how bloody delicate their insides are.
 
As you said, it's a lesson learnt. And a warning to others, I cringe when I see people at the yard feeding their horse whilst still sweating after exercise. They seem to get away with it and yet people who are careful, like yourself, always seem to come off worse.

I'm glad your boy is ok.
 
What a nightmare for you, so glad all is well now.
It does seem to be the - how shall I put this - less careful owners who get away with it.
Your post is a good reminder to all of us that our beasties can be very delicate at times.
 
Sorry about poor Thumper and I have to commiserate with you as Freddy, one of the foals colic-ed last night too so I know how you feel! We think his was caused by being out in a very sudden and violent hailstorm which we hadn't seen coming at all (yes, I know that sounds stupid but there was only light cloud, no rain, nothing to tell there would be hailstones the size of bullets) Luckily, he came right without medical intervention (although Joey's Dad checked him over) but it's horrid to see them so quiet and in pain. He's as bright as a button this morning - and hungry!
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They are a trial aren't they?
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They are a trial aren't they?

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Yep - spent the weekend feeling totally inadequate, and terribly, terribly guilty.

We've had similar storms over the weekend - bright sunshine, sudden down pour! Horrid.
 
Oh AmyMay... poor you and poor Thumper!

I know how you feel because I have to be so careful with Han's diet as she is prone to spasmodic colic (I always thought she would be the one requiring surgery at some point, not Grace
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) and I agree that colic terrifies me!!! It has always been such a huge concern with me with Hannah, but in future I am doing everything I can to prevent either of them having it!

I have to say, I have often fed mine 35 mins after work as long as they are not sweating, have cooled down and are muching happily on their haylage. So don't you dare beat yourself up about it... it could just be a group of a few things!
 
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Han has been through an impaction, but it cleared with Paraffin being poured down her nose
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Unfortunately, I will never know what caused Grace's, but hers was not an impaction, it was a build up of gas caused by excessive diahorrea
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That is why colic frightens me so much! I always thought it was the impaction one that was the worst
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Oh poor you
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Glad Thumper was ok. My old horse is very prone to colic (related to his windsucking we think) and so have always had to be very careful with him - but he still has managed to have it in the past. Each time we have felt terrible and guilty and he has enjoyed a vast amount of parrafin (yuk).

You shouldn't feel too bad - he is fine, you shouldn't beat yourself up about it
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xx
 
Oh honey I am sorry to hear Thumper wasnt a well boy on friday.
Please dont feel bad, Im sure a lot of us do it, I know i do, if horse is cool they have their supper.
HUGS.
 
Oh blimey - glad hes ok though
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Again, I would have fed in the same situation so dont beat yourself up about it. Ive seen people feed when horse is still sweaty and get away with it. We think down our yard, those of us that really care for our neddies get all the cr@p luck and those that dont could get away with murder
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Colic is terrifying to watch because you are so helpless
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Colic is terrifying to watch because you are so helpless

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I was actually pretty useless - especially once he got cast. More or less lost it I'm embarrased to say
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Dont be embarrased at all - Im fine helping other horses but when it was oscar I went to pieces
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Its so different when its your own I think.

We think what caused oscars was he was scared by the wind - got stressed, then got colic. There were marks all over the stable where he must have been rithing around in pain
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- I just hated the fact no-body was with him when he was so poorly
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Relieved he pulled through so far though.

How is he now?
 
Glad your horse is doing ok now.
I find this all a bit confusing ,I go with the rule about feeding after excercise but then read about endurance horses feeding during the ride for energy levels.I assume they are on things like sloppy sugar beet and not hard feed .If the rule applies to hard feed what about grass hay or even chaff.
How long do you wait before your horse goes out to grass or feed hay after they have cooled down.
 
So sorry to hear about your horse, its something that could happen to all of us, its usually the ones that are really careful that it does happen to, dont punish yourself xx
 
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