Colic due to change in weather?

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charliecrisps

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My mare had colic yesterday, she was in the field as usual, no changes & hadn't had her dinner yet when she went down with colic. The vet didn't have any suggestions why except 'stress due to rain'. My mare is heavy cob type and 19 & really doesn't get stressed by anything, anyone had the weather change colic issue? I'm a bit concerned as no obvious reason for it as to how to prevent again.
 
yes, have heard of it before. This time of year, when they've not got their winter coats they can be more susceptible to cold when wet. The only time I've seen my Exmoors shiver is when we've had a summer low in and they've not got their winter weather proofing! I've heard of others getting a bit colicky due to sudden big temp changes as well. All you can do is keep an eye on the forecasts and if torrential rain is due, put a rain sheet on or bring in etc.
 
Would agree with the poster above.

I have native ponies too and sudden changes in the weather can affect them. The grass can change too - sudden spurts in growth, moulds and the like etc etc which will cause colic as it's too sudden a change for the bugs in the horse's guts.

If yours gets cold and wet then the quicker you can dry her off the better. With my elderly shetland we find a couple of hours indoors with a thermatex rug and some hay works wonders and has headed off problems. Have a think about your horse's diet too - perhaps chat to your vet as to whether something like a mycotoxin binder may help her at this time of the year (every horse/field situation is different and you and your vet are in the best position to see whether she may need some nutritional support).
 
Mine doesn't colic with a change in weather but does with a couple of days later when the grass has pushed through as a result of rain and warmth. Fortunately it always passes really quickly.
 
I would think that the cause would be the dramatically lowered temperature and the fact that she got very cold because of the rain which would make her very tense. Plenty of fibre to eat usually helps to warm them up pretty quickly. I don't like no-fill rain sheets but ours have 100g rugs to wear in inclement summer weather.
 
charliecrisps said:
My mare had colic yesterday, she was in the field as usual, no changes & hadn't had her dinner yet when she went down with colic. The vet didn't have any suggestions why except 'stress due to rain'. My mare is heavy cob type and 19 & really doesn't get stressed by anything, anyone had the weather change colic issue? I'm a bit concerned as no obvious reason for it as to how to prevent again.
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Use this it is very good as it removes the gas build up and help things move along and also reduces pain.

Give them a ring and chat. We use it on all our frequent colic horses
http://pro-equine.com/products/colikare
http://pro-equine.com/collections/colikare
 
eggs said:
Mine doesn't colic with a change in weather but does with a couple of days later when the grass has pushed through as a result of rain and warmth. Fortunately it always passes really quickly.
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This! My old boy has a mild spasmodic colic a few weeks ago after all the warm wet weather. It was the vets 3rd colic call of the day.
I now panic everytime it rains (even though he's never had it before and vet was not to worried as so mild) but touch wood he has been ok since we believe it was due to them being on a part rested bare patch so lots of yummy fresh shoots to nibble on!
 
My mare had a period of colicking over about 16 months and wet weather was a factor. I kept her in or on short grass during heavy/prolonged wet periods. The combination of longer grass and rain did not go well for her at all!
 
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