Interesting news from Vet re Colic & Hay

[kellyanglin]

Hi I thought people may find this interesting after a conversation with my vet this week.
My mare has stomach problems (IBD) so I am always asking about related issues when speaking to my vet and reasons for her condition flareing up. It doesn't take much for a flare up but am constantly learning the best way to manage her condition which is becoming easier.

Apparently there has been a study done recently (i think) about the links between colic and Hay. After surveying lots of vets and their dealings with colic emergencies it was found that horses who had recently changed hay were up to 3 times more likely to suffer a colic attack than those which hadn't. This is only small differences like, different cut, different supplier etc. What I thought was interesting was that changing feeds only made a horse 1.5 times more likely.

Just thought this was a useful point as I would think that most of us are more careful when altering feed but do not spend as much time introducing new hay over a number of days. Something to keep in mind especially if you have a horse who has a sensitive tummy.

xx

 

[hellybelly6]

Thanks for that interesting bit of news. My horse also has a kind of horsey IBS and I have to watch what I feed him including hay/haylage.

 

[Birker2020]

Good point. My horse suffers from repeated spasmodic colics and I ensure his hay and haylage is changed over a five - 7 day period, but sometimes this is not always possible to do and can become a real headache if you are on a DIY yard and the quality of haylage changes depending on which giant haylage bale they open that morning!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

My friend's cherished ned moved yards about 10 days ago and yesterday was rushed to Leahurst for emergency colic surgery due to (they think) some sort of gut infection causing swollen intestines which has caused an impaction. He's survived so far but is in intensive care with 3-hourly tubing. Prognosis uncertain. Made my blood run cold to read about a change in hay causing colic. Kelly - you might try putting your mare on a low dose of Coligone - it's amazing stuff, lines the stomach and is aimed at stressy neds or those with dodgy tums. PM H's_mum for details. I always give it to my horse now after he had a gassy colic attack 2 years ago. Several horses on my yard have settled much better on a course of Coligone.

 

[brightmount]

Agree with BoF about Coligone, the first line of defence for horses that are prone to spasmodic colic.

 

[onemoretime]

I have always been taught by my old aunty to mix the hay when you are changing over, giving a small amount (literally a handful at first) of the new hay and doing this over a period of at least a week. She always said that you can go from hard hay to soft hay easier than going from soft hay to hard hay if that makes sense. The hard hay is harder to digest.

Therefore I always mix the hay if I have a new or different batch in. You treat hay the same as hard feed slowly and gradually.

I am sure that this has been the cause of a lot of colic situations over the years.