Beware gas colic

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Ruby2

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I arrived at the yard today to find my horse laying down in the field. I rarely see this. Watched her for a little while it became obvious she was in pain. The previous evening I had turned her out in a field which had been rested for two weeks.

The vet came and diagnosed gas colic. She had pigged out all night and now had a build up of gas in the hind gut.

The warning from the vet - be careful when putting horses out on fresh grass. Due to the changeable weather this year and the delay in the grass coming through she has seen quite a few gas colics as the grass is rich and the horses are not prepared for it.

I have had this horse 3 years and have never had a colic case. She lives out over summer, stabled at night over winter. Has been living out for 5 weeks now.

She seems fine now but it gave us a scare.
 
This happened to our boy last year, but in the autumn, it is very scary, we keep a close eye on him now during the times when the grass changes, I've known people muzzle theirs too
Glad your girl is ok
 
my mare does this every summer usually twice, doesn't matter if there is loads of grass or a little amount of grass but we found it might be to do with the clover in the field, so now iv moved to a new yard, where they don't use clover when they reseed their fields, so im x'ing my fingers that she doesn't colic this summer!

glad it wasn't a serious colic for your girlie! its one of the scariest things, every time Im convinced my horse is dying, she looks in so much pain! poor ladies!
 
I am pleased your horse is better,
This is a common scenario where we live in France as the weather can vary so much in a day.
Add to that, as you say, fresh grass which is growing like topsy right now, and you have a gassy colic as you describe!
Worst nightmare, I hate to see my retired mare down, even if she is having a sleep!
 
Ours are not out at night yet, but we're talking about turning out just at night for a few weeks, then 24/7. I also add probiotics to my horses feed to help with stomach upsets caused by new grass.
They're going back out in the big fields in 5 weeks.
 
Mine's like this, I'm really careful in that he only goes out on it for a couple of hours first day, comes in and watched, if all ok he can have some hay, all being well his time is increased by half an hour every couple of days. First time he went out on new grass in current yard he has gas colic twice in 2 weeks!
 
My old mare used to do this every year, usually twice. Fennel seeds is good for gassy horses. I didn't have a problem after feeding that.
 
I can't recall how much it was. I bought the global herbs fennel seeds and it had the guided daily amount on there.
 
I'm definitely getting some fennel seeds then! My young new forest had gas colic last August - she looked like a balloon. I was a bit concerned this morning as she had blown up again overnight, so I took her out long-reining for 40 minutes which seemed to shift a load of gas - she was actually wind powered - not pleasant when you're walking behind them.........
 
I use the global herbs fennel as well, works on my lad really well and I only feed it this time of year. It's under £10 a tub and lasts a long time. Def worth trying
 
I lost a horse last night to colic. He was turned out daytime only on about 1/3 acre, same field as always, it's green but certainly not at all lush.

Sometimes when their time is up you can't change fate.
 
Thistle said:
I lost a horse last night to colic. He was turned out daytime only on about 1/3 acre, same field as always, it's green but certainly not at all lush.

Sometimes when their time is up you can't change fate.
Click to expand...

Oh thistle that's awful so sorry to hear your bad news. Have text friend to find out how little pony is this morning ....
 
A good way of dealing with a gassy horse is to put them in the box/trailer and take them for a ride. They'll usually have a good fart and get it out their system.

I also feed mine mint for this reason.
 
Thistle said:
I lost a horse last night to colic. He was turned out daytime only on about 1/3 acre, same field as always, it's green but certainly not at all lush.

Sometimes when their time is up you can't change fate.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that, Thistle. I went through the same a little over 3 weeks ago.

Spot on, though. It doesn't matter how careful you are, sometimes it just happens x
 
Sorry about your horse Thistle, colic is awful,

My horse took a turn for the worse again yesterday. Gas colic turned to impacted although not too bad, another vet visit, paraffin up the nose and a night in the stable with no food,

She passed two droppings over night so is now in field with limited grazing. This morning she was back to her feisty self but will be watching her like a hawk as it can change so quickly. Her diet will be closely controlled, under vet advice, to try and stop any more attacks.

Thanks for all the advice, will definately give the fennel seeds a try.
 
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