Colic and cold weather?

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Chumsmum

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Hi All - Happy New Year.

Just wondering if anyone else's horse has had spasmodic colic which the vet thought might have been caused by cold weather? Would you recommend anything like Coligone for it?

Chum seemed a bit 'off' on Tuesday - eating and drinking differently (initially thought something wrong with teeth), tucked up and looking uncomfortable, grumpier than normal
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but nothing obvious, no sweating etc and passing normal droppings.

He seemed ok again on Wednesday so took him to a group lesson with a view to see how he went but as soon as we got to school I could see he wasn't right again as he wouldn't let me get near him to do up girth and was trying to roll in school. I rang vet and met her back at home though he seemed ok again by then.

She said his stomach was noisy and gave him a rectal exam. - no blockage but gassy. She gave him Buscopan and pain killer injections and said he should be okay but to call if any problems.

There is nothing obvious why this happened, he has never had it before since I've had him but the vet said they have had quite a few cases in the cold weather.

Nothing has changed in his routine, he is usually out 24/7, he is fed on Alfa A Oil, Lo Cal Balancer and sugerbeet plus hay/haylege. However, the weather had turned very cold and this is his first winter out 24/7 since I've had him though he is rugged up well. I have agreed with vet that it would be better to bring him in while it is this cold - he does come in occasionly when we have a late lesson or if it is wet/cold and so vet didn't think it would be a problem to change his routine.

He seemed better last night and this morning, eating normally again though seemed grumpy again tonight (though grumpy is his middle name) and I heard his stomach grumble as he ate his tea but not sure if this was just normal? Will go down again later to see how he is.

Just wondering if some sort of supplement might help even though I'm not really sure what is causing it.

Sorry to waffle on
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- just trying to give some background and am worried though vet said I had spotted it early and he should be okay
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Thanks for any replies
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We have a mare that comes down with colic when we turn out and its frosty. Coligone didn't stop it completely but it wasn't half as bad.

Not quite the same situation as yours but we came to the conclusion that as she is very very greedy and eats all her evening feed and hay at lightening speed, that she stands with an empty belly all night and then gorges herself on cold grass in the morning...so prior to going out she now has a big breakfast and a slice of hay, since we've started this we've had no more colic.

My vet says there is a lot of horses getting colic at the moment because of the cold weather.

Hope you get it sorted!
 
Try pink powder. My old horse had a few digestive problems in winter. Not colic and not related to cold weather, think it is an age thing with him. Since I have had on pink powder I have had no more problems.
 
Thanks for replies.

Chum is 17yo and starting to feel his age a bit, he was diagnosed with Bone Spavin this summer and lost weight in Autumn when he is normally a fatty so I'm wondering whether this may be another age related thing too - especially as symptons are mild. He is doing well on the Alfa A Oil but is this as easily digested as 'normal' chaff?

He is also a greedy boy - he literally doesn't lift his head all day so I wonder if he ate all of his hay and started on the frosty grass even though I puts lots out?

Have heard good things about Pink Powder - do you think it would be okay to introduce while he is still a bit iffy?

Thanks again for replies.
 
Haddy is 30 this month....not bad for a tb. He gets Alfa A as I struggle to keep condition on him now. I haven't put hay out for them as they tend not to eat it so not sure about the frosty grass/colic thing. I would start him on pink powder and give it a go now. It isn't too expensive and I swear by it.
 
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... Have heard good things about Pink Powder - do you think it would be okay to introduce while he is still a bit iffy?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes definitely. It's an all round balancer and probiotic, and it will be a good pick-me-up.

My mare had a couple of bouts of colic last winter and spring, but they were linked to worming. She's on Coligone now. I would think Coligone or pink powder would be a very good idea for your horse.
 
yes my friends mare got it last feb (she had impaction colic) due to not drinking enough. We solved it by adding really wet sugar beet to her feed plus extra water and soaking her hay. Touch wood she's been ok since but it was very frightening at the time and she collapsed. Also might be worth getting teeth checked, her's had been done but the vet that saw her said they where fine when in fact they wern't, needless to say we didn't use that vet again!!! xxxxx
 
Thanks again for replies - very helpful.

Will get some Pink Powder tomorrow.

Vet did put gag on and check his teeth just to be sure even though they were only done a few weeks ago but he did seem to be eating and drinking strangely but teeth all okay and vet commented that dentist had done a good job. I also damp his food well though water bucket had well and truely frozen the morning this started so maybe something in that?

I've just got back from checking him again and apart from looking sleepy he looked happy and settled so fingers crossed he getting over it.

Once again, thanks for replies.
 
Chumsmum try not to worry, gassy colic is very common at the moment due to the weather. Mine and another at our yard both had mild spasmodic colic the other night despite the fact that the yard are very careful not to turn out on frosty grass. Both horses were fine after the vet came, but both are prone to colic. I'd keep your boy in if it's frosty, and definitely keep him in at night until the weather settles down. Colic is often more prevalent in autumn and spring when the grass changes but because this year the seasons are very messed up the vets are seeing lots with colic the last few weeks. I don't fed mine a supplement, I just try and keep his feed simple and take precautions when the weather turns.
 
Thanks for reassurance - much appreciated
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He seemed okay still this morning so fingers crossed he getting over it and is happy enough coming in at night. I did turn him out though still frosty but put plenty of hay out.

I've just bought some Pink Powder so will start that today - also I've just ran out of my normal balancer so will be interesting to see how he looks on this.
 
i would get some fennel seeds brillant stuff for gassy colic keep her routine to what she is used to if so gets anither attack get some bloods done just in case there is something going on interally!
 
Thanks for reply.

Vet was happy with my worming programme but I was considering doing the 5 day course in Feb - will definitely do it now but might bring it forward? Will look in to it.
 
fennel seeds you can get them from any horsey shop the poduct is made by global herbs read up on them they meant to be very good!
 
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