Colicking horse

[Connemara24]

Grass sickness is always something to consider when a horse is colicky, the signs are sweaty in patches, having muscle tremors, trouble swallowing, drooping eyes, there may be more. I Hope he gets better soon.

 

[Pinkvboots]

The vet wants him out on grazing and with no hay, so I'd be really worried about going against what he says. Hes been out on a track, so limited grass and lots of hay before this started. So I think the idea behind the grass is to try the opposite. He appears to be better if not totally fine since hes been on the grass

I understand that and I would go with vet advice, but if it continues I would re think it honestly I'm not trying to be a pain maybe get a second opinion fingers crossed for you both x

 

[scats]

When my friends mare had ulcers, she would drop to the floor and lie flat with her legs stretched, motionless.
I’d definitely get him in for a scope asap.

 

[ycbm]

I would put him straight onto aloe vera if he was mine ID. I'm wondering if he hasn't shown it but was stressed at your highland being sold? I've got one at the moment hiding how concerned he is that his mate is gone but you can see it if you watch him carefully, and he's a horse who's usually easy to read with his emotions splatted all over his face. I have him on 50ml of aloe juice a day as an ulcer precaution. 5 litres is £35 from ebay/Amazon. Holland and Barrett sell it if you want a litre today.

Fingers crossed he's OK.
.

 

[Melody Grey]

Sending healing vibes. My horse recently appeared to colic, symptoms returning each time the painkillers wore off. The vet suggested a virus as he'd been running a slight temperature. We gave antibiotics on the off-chance it was some kind of unidentified infection. Took a good few weeks to get over, though touch wood, he seem s fine 6 weeks or so on. I was so worried, I'd never seen a virus's present like this before, I don't think it's that common, hence wondering if it's been considered?

 

[Flicker]

Not sure what your weather has been like but the frost, rain, sun combo around March and April does create a lot of new growth in the grass which causes some horses to colic. Also, I know of at least one horse who coliced due to an abscess - she had no history of colic.
Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of it.

 

[Melody Grey]

Just re-read your post re:the half weeing thing, Monty did this too. I was convinced at one point we had a urine/ kidney/bladder stones issue. We took bloods to rule out kidney/ organ failure. There was a slight raised white blood cell count, so was fighting something.

 

[OldNag]

I hope he recovers very soon.
Random suggestion, but has he had his sheath cleaned/checked for beans?

 

[I'm Dun]

I hope he recovers very soon.
Random suggestion, but has he had his sheath cleaned/checked for beans?

Yes, I have a lovelt friend who does it for a living and he was done a couple of months ago, no real issues. The vets have checked his sheath twice, but Im going to try and get my friend over tomorrow if she can move things round.

I'm slowly working through things it isnt. Hes been fine over night and just waiting to see how he is when the others get hayed and fed this morning.

 

[I'm Dun]

Just re-read your post re:the half weeing thing, Monty did this too. I was convinced at one point we had a urine/ kidney/bladder stones issue. We took bloods to rule out kidney/ organ failure. There was a slight raised white blood cell count, so was fighting something.

I'm going to ask about this. Its so odd, and having another horse do exactly the same is a bit of a coincidence! Hes been living with sheep so liver fluke is something I want ruling out as well.

 

[I'm Dun]

I understand that and I would go with vet advice, but if it continues I would re think it honestly I'm not trying to be a pain maybe get a second opinion fingers crossed for you both x

if it continues I'm going to have to move him anyway and just hope it doesnt make him worse. Theres a very limited amount of time I'm going to leave it with him not being ok. It looks like has he improved signifcantly being on the grass, but i'll know more when I get the full report off my friend shortly.

 

[spotty_pony]

It is definitely 100% not caused by stress. Hes been in a very stressful situation twice and never done this. But whatever is going on now is clearly being made worse by anything exciting or stressful. Its more that its there and low grade and anything like that tips him over the edge to showing symptoms. He is usually on mag ox but more for his feet than stress, he is honestly the most chilled out horse anyone has ever met.

He had pramox in jan was fine, he wont be having it again though following this. I think if I can get him through this I am going to spend the rest of my life watching him and worrying.

You’ve just completely contradicted what you said - 100% not caused by stress but whatever is going on now is made worse when stressed…. I’d say stress is definitely a factor there… ??‍

 

[OldNag]

Yes, I have a lovelt friend who does it for a living and he was done a couple of months ago, no real issues. The vets have checked his sheath twice, but Im going to try and get my friend over tomorrow if she can move things round.

I'm slowly working through things it isnt. Hes been fine over night and just waiting to see how he is when the others get hayed and fed this morning.

It was the weeing thing that made me ask... I have no idea what else to suggest, but hope you find the answer soon.

 

[paddy555]

when one of mine did this sort of false colic thing I resolved it with 10000iu pd of vit e. (whilst trying to find the answer it cost me 3k when he was admitted to horse hospital who didn't find an answer) I can't see you have mentioned vit e

I can't find a mention of rugging but I presume he is well rugged especially based on the weather we have been having. Cold rain/sleet can cause colic on an unrugged horse.

 

[I'm Dun]

You’ve just completely contradicted what you said - 100% not caused by stress but whatever is going on now is made worse when stressed…. I’d say stress is definitely a factor there… ??‍

No I havent? Its not caused by stress. But anything exciting or stressful makes it worse. Theres a significant difference which is really important.

 

[I'm Dun]

when one of mine did this sort of false colic thing I resolved it with 10000iu pd of vit e. (whilst trying to find the answer it cost me 3k when he was admitted to horse hospital who didn't find an answer) I can't see you have mentioned vit e

I can't find a mention of rugging but I presume he is well rugged especially based on the weather we have been having. Cold rain/sleet can cause colic on an unrugged horse.

I feed vitamin e to him all year round, 3 to 4000ius over winter, but he hasnt had any for 10days now, so when he is allowed feeds again i'll triple the dose for a few days

 

[[153312]]

You’ve just completely contradicted what you said - 100% not caused by stress but whatever is going on now is made worse when stressed…. I’d say stress is definitely a factor there… ??‍

stress exacerbating an issue isn't the same as stress causing an issue?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My lovely big, kind and sweet natured TB is colicking. Hes currently out at grass at a friends, but has been living on a track system very similar way to the way I kept him so hes had some change but nothing huge and hes such a chilled out boy he came off the wagon, glanced around and settled in. Hes been there about 10days.

And then he colicked. Very mild, no gas or blockage found,had buscopan and bute and seemed fine. They wore off and he colicked again. Same treatment, seemed fine. They wore off and hes not colicking but he is uncomfortable and not happy. His heart rate has never been over 36 even when he has been at his worst. His eyes are tight and pinched though so something hurts.

This started 2days ago. There is a very good vet involved who is running bloods and coming out, but I'm interested in any ideas anyone has or similar experiences so we can run it past him. Bloods are being run in house today so will know more from those shortly.

The full back story below in case anything rings a bell with anyone as I am worried sick.

He colicked roughly a year ago. He'd just arrived and ate some trees so we had a cause. No issues since. There was a professional firework display along my fence line and my horses freaked and he fell over in the dark. I did think he had ulcers after the fireworks incident but my physio came and found muscle spasms indicative of a slip and fall. Two treatments and he was fine and back to normal. Never any signs of ulcers other than hes not a great doer and eats a lot. Does very well on grass but eat ridiculous amounts of hay and forage feed.

About three wees ago he had an abscess, it burst and the poultice was clean after 3 days so taken off and he went to a friends. He went dog lame again, abscess blew up, farrier drained it, better then abscess blew up and the vet drained it. Cut a lot of sole off and found it had been tracking round. Almost healed but with a deeper wet pocket. That appears to be dried up now and hes happier but still not comfortable. Could be just the cut away sole could be something more sinister, so its watch and wait time.

And then he colicked. No blockage, no gas nothing really found. Buscopan and bute sorted it. They ran out and he colicked again. Buscopan and bute sorted it again. Hes now out on grass and not getting hay or feed on wet adivce. it was thought the colic was triggered by hay as my friend arrives, hays them and he colics. Today she arrives and doesnt hay him, usual scenario, he colics. Although this time colic is too strong a word.

Hes showing signs of discomfort but still eating, weeing, pooing. But anything exciting or that causes him stress, ie the other two being out of his sight, seems to triggers it.

When he had the bout of colic with me he dropped to the floor like he was dead. Never in my life seen a horse do that. I thought he was dead This time hes more agitated, pawing and upset with lip curling the first 2 times. He now is showing a heart murmur which the vet says is indicative of lower intestinal pain. It wasnt there 10 days ago so it appears to be a new thing.

His feet have gone back to low heels and trying to have long toes with thin soles over the last 3 months. Ive been watching and its been worrying me but I've put it down to lack of road work and just flagged it as something to work on when he was moved and brought back into work. He s had almost all of the winter off due to my life going horribly wrong. But I guess on reflection this might indicate some gut issues underlying that were too low grade to notice but still there.

He was wormed with pramox in jan and had clear tape and red worm tests prior. Tape worm will have been september I think. The other 2 had low but normal tests, less than 100epg which is to be expected in a young and old horse and were wormed as suggested by the worm count people. I'm getting another tape worm test in case but I think I'm grasping at straws though.

He has on one occasion done like a half wee, but my friend wasnt sure if it was because he was on concrete at the time. He has weed fine before and since.

He has been living with sheep so I'm going to ask if his liver has been considered as an issue.

The vet is being asked about protexin quick fix as he had that after the last colic and Im at the try anything stage.

He 7 so not young or old. Hes always been happy and well bar the firework incident and the first colic. Both of which had clear cause. You can tell when hes not right as hes such a lovely natured boy and he gets withdrawn and a bit grumpy if things are wrong, so I'm fairly confident saying theres been nothing wrong I didnt see, but who the hell knows!

The plan is get him stable for 48hours, get him moved back to be with me and scope him. He cant be scoped where he is, so does need to move. The vet doesnt think moving will be an issue. I'm concerned but aware needs must nd my poor friend cannot be expected to deal with this, as well as the fact I am going demented not being there. The vet is saying ulcers are a possible cause.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? Is this likely to be ulcers? Id be thrilled if it was as they can be treated and sorted, this unknown painful issue is scaring the living daylights out of me and I have such a bad feeling about it.

Lost two to colic, one was impaction the other lesser known one

Mesenteric rent entrapment*a source of small intestinal strangulation in horses*
On occasion, a small tear or rent forms in the mesentery, a thin sheet of connective tissue attached to the intestines, through which a segment of bowel can thread itself. Fluid buildup and subsequent enlargement of the bowel can trap that segment, necessitating surgery.


This is copied from my old website.


My pony I owned for 1 week did this the first time, coliking, coliking, vet called , trying to get down on the concrete and school. Vet came, did rectal - no change buscapan. Pony improved vet went home. 1/2 hr l;ater she coliking againg, called vet who travelled back to the yard 40 minutes.

Did a rectal and said "RVC NOW!"

So took her up to RVC. Horrid journey home. She stayed up there till the Tuesday when she came home.
Over the next few weeks i had a muzzle on her, gradually reducing the time of it on. The 6th week, all good in the field. came in 4pm 7 ish I heard a crash bang crash. I ran out and she was coliking again, called vet. They came did rectal, all good, buscapan, and he was about to go and I said. ! NO! can you please wait as last time the vet left she coliking again. So he stayed, sure enough 1/2 hr later she coliking again, we tried and tried from 8pm till 2am. Trying to get down on concrete and school. Took her back to stable, and vet did a rectal again. This time he said. " Things have changed, she won't make it to the RVC " so my beloved pony was pts. I am only tell this story to to worry you but to educate some about this type of colic.

I hope your horse improves. I have a 20 minute window depending on situation, first give them colikare, then walk around, if no improvement in 15 minutes or obvious its a bad case I call the vet

My pony lay down on her back like a sheep does when they are stuck




In Memory of my beloved pony Pony who I owned 6 weeks died age 5.

 

[southerncomfort]

Nothing remotely useful to add but thinking of you and hoping he's feeling better very soon.

Whatever the cause, colic is always traumatic. X

 

[SEL]

Is he clear of tapeworm ID? A scope is a good plan.

Fingers crossed xx

 

[PurBee]

The vet wants him out on grazing and with no hay, so I'd be really worried about going against what he says. Hes been out on a track, so limited grass and lots of hay before this started. So I think the idea behind the grass is to try the opposite. He appears to be better if not totally fine since hes been on the grass

The fresh chlorophyll content from the grass is vastly best for a colic-prone, dodgy-digestion horse, than hay. Grass is also 80% moisture so helps prevent dry compactions. chlorophyll cleans the blood - infections, improves immune health, anti-i flam for gut, breaks down kidney stones etc etc…there’s lots about chlorophyll benefits online. Also on grass, the horse is kept moving.

When mine have had dodgy gut episodes, its always been when on majority hay/haylage, never during dominant grazing seasons. Im lucky mine handle grass.

Have you considered grass nuts from emerald green feeds? Theirs is pure grass made into pellets, so provide loads of chlorophyll if the field he’s currently on is low on grass. You can soak them to make a good sloppy mash.

Also you can buy chlorella powder…packed full of chlorophyll. I buy ‘cell wall cracked’ chlorella for better absorption in the gut. I give mine a tsp of this in winter with sloppy beet pulp.

If the rest of the horses on the grazing are doing ok i wouldnt suspect sour grazing. It may well be there’s different microbes in this grazing than at your place, so his gut is having a battle to the changing microbes, whereas the rest of the horses are used to those particular soil/grass microbes in that field.
Sometimes if we take probiotics we can get a very dodgy gut, gurgling/gas/some pain, due to the sudden change in microbes. Usually settles down after initial disruptions…once the gut becomes inoculated with new bacteria.

Fingers crossed he stabilises soon. Hugs x

 

[PurBee]

ETA - change of hay from your place to a new place, could be the sole culprit for the colic. I’ve experienced change of gut happiness with my own horses during unfortunate occasions of rapid change in hay supplies.

Also, hay quality matters. Im in a damp climate so finding fresh well-made hay without mould is extremely challenging. I now use haylage mixes as its too much of a gamble finding good hay without some mustiness.
All hays are not equal! Some produce bleached stemmy hay…no chlorophyll. There’s finer mixed hay with green. Whatever you feed it needs to absolutely be silky dry feeling and mould free. Musty hay does aggravate their gut.

We can throw all sorts of expensive feeds/supplements to improve the horse, but if the mainstay forage of hay is below par quality-wise, the horse will struggle.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'n Dun, fingers crossed that he settles down soon. It could have been the different hay at the new place that triggered it.

The fresh chlorophyll content from the grass is vastly best for a colic-prone, dodgy-digestion horse, than hay. Grass is also 80% moisture so helps prevent dry compactions. chlorophyll cleans the blood - infections, improves immune health, anti-i flam for gut, breaks down kidney stones etc etc…there’s lots about chlorophyll benefits online. Also on grass, the horse is kept moving.

I have to correct this assumption, as it may be taken as gospel truth by some. In many cases, it's the grass itself that causes the colic, especially in spring or when there is a flush of new growth after rain. It happened recurrently with my late maxicob - it was always the grass.

 

[Connemara24]

Lost two to colic, one was impaction the other lesser known one

Mesenteric rent entrapment*a source of small intestinal strangulation in horses*
On occasion, a small tear or rent forms in the mesentery, a thin sheet of connective tissue attached to the intestines, through which a segment of bowel can thread itself. Fluid buildup and subsequent enlargement of the bowel can trap that segment, necessitating surgery.


This is copied from my old website.


My pony I owned for 1 week did this the first time, coliking, coliking, vet called , trying to get down on the concrete and school. Vet came, did rectal - no change buscapan. Pony improved vet went home. 1/2 hr l;ater she coliking againg, called vet who travelled back to the yard 40 minutes.

Did a rectal and said "RVC NOW!"

So took her up to RVC. Horrid journey home. She stayed up there till the Tuesday when she came home.
Over the next few weeks i had a muzzle on her, gradually reducing the time of it on. The 6th week, all good in the field. came in 4pm 7 ish I heard a crash bang crash. I ran out and she was coliking again, called vet. They came did rectal, all good, buscapan, and he was about to go and I said. ! NO! can you please wait as last time the vet left she coliking again. So he stayed, sure enough 1/2 hr later she coliking again, we tried and tried from 8pm till 2am. Trying to get down on concrete and school. Took her back to stable, and vet did a rectal again. This time he said. " Things have changed, she won't make it to the RVC " so my beloved pony was pts. I am only tell this story to to worry you but to educate some about this type of colic.

I hope your horse improves. I have a 20 minute window depending on situation, first give them colikare, then walk around, if no improvement in 15 minutes or obvious its a bad case I call the vet

My pony lay down on her back like a sheep does when they are stuckView attachment 90080




In Memory of my beloved pony Pony who I owned 6 weeks died age 5.

Exactly same thing happen to me, old horse 28yrs old still a lot of life left in him. Still trying to buck me off! Got what they thought was colic he was doing exactly the same thing as yours 30 mins later throwing himself every where, he lasted 2 days on drugs he improved alot over night and even the vet was hopeful but he took a turn for the worse, sweating, pulse rate of 108, so was sadly pts. Around 2 months later we found another horse as his field mate needed a buddy. After 3 weeks of owning him he got impaction colic. Vets tubed him at home but it didn't clear the impaction, so he went to the vets for a night so they could tube him regularly but still nothing. He then got referred to a specialist equine hospital, so they could tube him every couple hours. The Cleared the impaction after a week, then he got a fever so he had to stay, fever went, impacted again. The vets said its unusual for that to happen. Then he got a drooping eyelid and muscle tremors, and vet said it's most definitely grass sickness. Let's give him 4 days, they said and he improved massively. But he then got a ulcer on his eye from the drooping eyelid, they got rid of the ulcer and said we could pick him up and on the day we were sussposed to pick him up, They had found another ulcer on his eye so he couldn't come home. Then he started having seizures and his gut twisted so he had to be pts. He was there for 5/6weeks.
When he got diagnosed with grass sickness we told the vet about the other horse and the vet was certain that's what the older horse passed away off. With grass sickness it can affect different horses because the field mate who's 24 and still with us and was fine on that grazing for 24yrs and it still didn't affect him. He has moved now to different grazing as didn't want to risk him getting it. A pony has come from a yard to keep him company and was in those fields for a while before we knew about the grass sickness, she got peritonitis which could of been brought on by the grass sickness she is fine now just got addicted to the peritonitis medication. I just want to make people aware of grass sickness because if we knew what the 28 year old died of it could've saved the other ones life. I'm sorry for your loss with your 2 horses. And I hope op horse gets better soon.

 

[PurBee]

I'n Dun, fingers crossed that he settles down soon. It could have been the different hay at the new place that triggered it.

I have to correct this assumption, as it may be taken as gospel truth by some. In many cases, it's the grass itself that causes the colic, especially in spring or when there is a flush of new growth after rain. It happened recurrently with my late maxicob - it was always the grass.

I agree with you, grass can aggravate some horses known to have grass flush/spring growth sensitivity. The sudden intake of large amounts of grass when theyve been having mostly hay, low grass, would be precisely the scenario to induce colic….as does many drastic feed changes. The rapid change in volume of type of feed, coupled with vastly different nutrients will upset most horses gut.

As OP had stated he has been better on grass in this particular instance, i was pointing out the benefits of it, not stating ‘gospel’.

 

[spotty_pony]

No I havent? Its not caused by stress. But anything exciting or stressful makes it worse. Theres a significant difference which is really important.

There is a difference but what’s important is working out which one causes which…

 

[I'm Dun]

I'n Dun, fingers crossed that he settles down soon. It could have been the different hay at the new place that triggered it.

I have to correct this assumption, as it may be taken as gospel truth by some. In many cases, it's the grass itself that causes the colic, especially in spring or when there is a flush of new growth after rain. It happened recurrently with my late maxicob - it was always the grass.

Yeah I was worried him being chucked out onto decent grass after living with limited grass all winter. But he seems fine now thank goodness. My friends been there a couple of hours, shes moved her little ones about and fed them etc and no signs of anything amiss. Hopefully this means I can get him home tomorrow and get him scoped.

Hes always had the loveliest super soft meadow hay with me. Its all really old mixed grasses etc and soft, so there might be something in the new hay thats shocked his system. My friend has shetlands so doesnt feed the same sort of hay.

Im just waiting for a tapeworm test to arrive as I did wonder about that. I'll do a standard worm count at the same time.

Feed wise I'd already decided to change from pink mash and sensicare to emerald green grass nuts. and linseed/rice bran. He likes them and with the deterioration in his feet I want to strip his diet right back and just check that theres nothing affecting them feed wise.

I am sure that there is something underlying amiss, and if the scope doesnt show anything then I'll have to see where we go from there. Its very easy to tell when hes not right so I will at least know something is wrong, even if I dont know what it is.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I'm glad his better than he was it's such a worry when there really is no obvious reason for the colic.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I agree with you, grass can aggravate some horses known to have grass flush/spring growth sensitivity. The sudden intake of large amounts of grass when theyve been having mostly hay, low grass, would be precisely the scenario to induce colic….as does many drastic feed changes. The rapid change in volume of type of feed, coupled with vastly different nutrients will upset most horses gut.

As OP had stated he has been better on grass in this particular instance, i was pointing out the benefits of it, not stating ‘gospel’.

My Louis can't have a lot of rich grass he looks like his got colic but it's more like his belly is stuffed and he just sort of flops on the floor, normally once his off it he looks completely normal after about an hour.

He broke through the fence once and gorged on the rested field thats how I know he can't cope with it so I never put him on long rich grass I think he just over eats and then feels full.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Exactly same thing happen to me, old horse 28yrs old still a lot of life left in him. Still trying to buck me off! Got what they thought was colic he was doing exactly the same thing as yours 30 mins later throwing himself every where, he lasted 2 days on drugs he improved alot over night and even the vet was hopeful but he took a turn for the worse, sweating, pulse rate of 108, so was sadly pts. Around 2 months later we found another horse as his field mate needed a buddy. After 3 weeks of owning him he got impaction colic. Vets tubed him at home but it didn't clear the impaction, so he went to the vets for a night so they could tube him regularly but still nothing. He then got referred to a specialist equine hospital, so they could tube him every couple hours. The Cleared the impaction after a week, then he got a fever so he had to stay, fever went, impacted again. The vets said its unusual for that to happen. Then he got a drooping eyelid and muscle tremors, and vet said it's most definitely grass sickness. Let's give him 4 days, they said and he improved massively. But he then got a ulcer on his eye from the drooping eyelid, they got rid of the ulcer and said we could pick him up and on the day we were sussposed to pick him up, They had found another ulcer on his eye so he couldn't come home. Then he started having seizures and his gut twisted so he had to be pts. He was there for 5/6weeks.
When he got diagnosed with grass sickness we told the vet about the other horse and the vet was certain that's what the older horse passed away off. With grass sickness it can affect different horses because the field mate who's 24 and still with us and was fine on that grazing for 24yrs and it still didn't affect him. He has moved now to different grazing as didn't want to risk him getting it. A pony has come from a yard to keep him company and was in those fields for a while before we knew about the grass sickness, she got peritonitis which could of been brought on by the grass sickness she is fine now just got addicted to the peritonitis medication. I just want to make people aware of grass sickness because if we knew what the 28 year old died of it could've saved the other ones life. I'm sorry for your loss with your 2 horses. And I hope op horse gets better soon.

I think my late mare who passed in 1995 must have got grass sickness. She was scouring for 6 months on and off, lost lots weight. I am 100% sure it was the paddock i moved her too. Horrid private place with brats for children. She had been fine before that. I have her pictures from the day before and she was emaciated in the end I think she had a stroke and could not get up even though we spent the whole night in the stable with her.