New horse stressed or colic?

[LGK1994]

I’ve just got my new horse home and in the last 36 hours she’s only pooed twice and is grinding her teeth a little. She’s eaten two hard feeds and been drinking plenty and eaten a little bit of her haylage. Do you think this is the start of colic?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

IME they usually go off their food with colic but I would keep an eye on her for the next few hours, if possible. Sorry just realised she's been with you for 36 hours and only done 2 poos. I think I would ring to speak to a vet. Has she been turned out?

 

[Lurfy]

That is not enough poo for 36 hours. Talk to your vet.

 

[Carrottom]

If you can't turn out for some reason I would hand graze as much as possible.
If she had a long journey to you she may have emptied out a lot and if she isn't keen on your haulage won't be getting enough forage.
What hard feed are you giving? Can you increase the fibre in the bucket feed?

 

[Starzaan]

Tooth grinding is a sign of pain, and that is not enough poo.
Call the vet.

 

[Red-1]

Too late for last night, but if the horse looked well I would have still called the vet at whatever hour to at least inform them that there was a horse that was looking suspect, giving them the temperature, pulse and respiration. At least then you are on their radar and they will have looked you up on the map.

What were the poos like? If they were hard I would have had the vet out in case an impaction was brewing as that can be quickly removed before it became bad. I would also have the vet straight out of the temp/pulse/resp were suspect. I would also have the vet out if they recommended it after hearing the symptoms.

If the poos were normal then I would presume (assuming temp.pulse and rasp were all OK) that the horse had not been eating. Tooth grinding can also be stress, and this is a new horse who you don't know. Did you bring some of the old hay that the horse was on? I usually fill my net to travel from their stock and buy an extra bale from the vendors to do a transition to my stuff. Even with my horse at home, when changing from one hay stock to another we start to mix the old and new when we are down to 2 bales. Starting with 1/4 new and 3/4 old, then 1/2 and 1/2, then 3/4 new and 1/4 old. That is even when the farmer changes the stack that they deliver from, not just when the season's hat changes. To change from hay to haylage would take a bit longer.

If the horse is still bright this morning I would turn out or hand graze so he/she could have some grass. If the haylage is not gone I would purchase a few bales of soft hay. If the poos are firm I would also soak it. If the horse is not eating I would steam it as that makes it more palatable. If the horse looked at all uncomfortable, dry poos, no poos, suspect temp/plse/resp etc then I would call the vet.

I would also walk in hand to get the guts moving.

Be aware that your insurance may not yet have kicked in as often it is only external injuries covered for the first 14 days. Colic would not count for this. I often cover the horse with insurance as soon as I decide to buy, before the vetting even, so the clock is counting down. If I don't then buy the horse then you have a free cancellation time, so don't pay for the policy. But, if you do buy, the horse has already been covered for some time.

 

[LGK1994]

Hi guys just an update 5 poos over night and she’s eating normally now. I rang vet last night and he said it could be stress related and the journey and to keep an eye on her and if no poo in the morning he would come out but as mentioned 5 over night so hopefully she was just unsettled will be keeping a close eye for the next few days.

 

[LGK1994]

Too late for last night, but if the horse looked well I would have still called the vet at whatever hour to at least inform them that there was a horse that was looking suspect, giving them the temperature, pulse and respiration. At least then you are on their radar and they will have looked you up on the map.

What were the poos like? If they were hard I would have had the vet out in case an impaction was brewing as that can be quickly removed before it became bad. I would also have the vet straight out of the temp/pulse/resp were suspect. I would also have the vet out if they recommended it after hearing the symptoms.

If the poos were normal then I would presume (assuming temp.pulse and rasp were all OK) that the horse had not been eating. Tooth grinding can also be stress, and this is a new horse who you don't know. Did you bring some of the old hay that the horse was on? I usually fill my net to travel from their stock and buy an extra bale from the vendors to do a transition to my stuff. Even with my horse at home, when changing from one hay stock to another we start to mix the old and new when we are down to 2 bales. Starting with 1/4 new and 3/4 old, then 1/2 and 1/2, then 3/4 new and 1/4 old. That is even when the farmer changes the stack that they deliver from, not just when the season's hat changes. To change from hay to haylage would take a bit longer.

If the horse is still bright this morning I would turn out or hand graze so he/she could have some grass. If the haylage is not gone I would purchase a few bales of soft hay. If the poos are firm I would also soak it. If the horse is not eating I would steam it as that makes it more palatable. If the horse looked at all uncomfortable, dry poos, no poos, suspect temp/plse/resp etc then I would call the vet.

I would also walk in hand to get the guts moving.

Be aware that your insurance may not yet have kicked in as often it is only external injuries covered for the first 14 days. Colic would not count for this. I often cover the horse with insurance as soon as I decide to buy, before the vetting even, so the clock is counting down. If I don't then buy the horse then you have a free cancellation time, so don't pay for the policy. But, if you do buy, the horse has already been covered for some time.

thanks for the tip on insurance I never thought of doing that and just insured her from date of purchase which is annoying but she seems fine this morning so hopefully something of nothing. But will keep a close eye and keep that insurance tip for future reference.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Glad she is ok

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Thanks for the update, I'm glad she seems to be ok and settling now.

 

[Orangehorse]

Relief!

 

[Leo Walker]

Tooth grinding is a sign of pain, and that is not enough poo.
Call the vet.

I know shes settled now but teeth grinding is def a sign of pain rather than just stress, so I'd want to monitor her closely.

 

[LGK1994]

I know shes settled now but teeth grinding is def a sign of pain rather than just stress, so I'd want to monitor her closely.

yes, I know was very worried last night but tooth grinding has stopped and very settled but as mentioned close eye for the next few days.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

T I often cover the horse with insurance as soon as I decide to buy, before the vetting even, so the clock is counting down. If I don't then buy the horse then you have a free cancellation time, so don't pay for the policy. But, if you do buy, the horse has already been covered for some time.

I never thought about doing that with any of mine - I usually insure from midnight the day before they are due to arrive (once they have passed the vetting.) When my girl goes I will buy another horse and remember your tip. Like you say the clock is then ticking down. Thank you.