Post colic advice

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TT55

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So to add to the list of issues my horse and I seem to keep having, I had one of those dreaded calls yesterday morning that my horse was showing signs of colic... I just typed out a massive post , but realised that I don't need to bore you with all the details!

Basically she had a large impaction. She was treated by the vet and after a stressful day or so, she seems to have cleared it. I wouldn't say she is pooing normally, but then again, she hasn't eaten much since at least yesterday morning (had a very small wet meal last night and then a bran mash at lunch time and this evening) and has had 2 lots of fluid given via a stomach tube. Her poo is now very wet and she is passing a fair bit of gas when i lunge her.

She is currently in a stable with a muzzle on (I am worried she will eat the shavings because she is clearly very hungry and trying to eat everything including baling twine and her lead rope!!)

Vet has advised to feed the bran mash and to begin turning out tomorrow if all is well. But I was wondering how you all suggest I manage my horse now, post colic. How often should I feed the bran mash and for how long? Would you turn out a day or two after an impaction? Also my mare needs to go out in the field gradually as she has been in all winter, so will she be ok to still have haylage in the stable? Should I soak it? When can she go back on straw? How long until she can be ridden? Any other advice for me to help my horse recover? Thank you :)
 
i would give her soaked hay, she needs to eat to pass through her stomach and if you soak the hay there will be enough water to assist with passage through the stomach, do not starve her and anymore bran mash and she will have diahorrea. check her water trough in the field, is it clean, is she drinking enough, there is a lot of moisture in the grass at the moment, so not sure why she got impacted, is she up to date with worming. are her teeth up to date. you could start riding gentle exercise after 24hrs. put back on straw after 48hrs, once the impaction has been removed, then life is as it was before the impaction. she possibly ate too much straw bed due to not enough hay, again check teeth, worming, drinking trough, movement
 
Don't want to give any advice as I have only experienced spasmodic colic episodes and wouldn't want to recommend the wrong thing. Just wanted to say glad your horse is on the mend, colic can be so scary x
 
Thanks for both your replies.

My horse is a lot better today and is passing plenty of poo. She is drinking water (has an automatic waterer in the stable, but i saw her drink both today and yesterday) and I let her graze in hand today. I asked the staff at the yard to give her soaked hay and hopefully I will be able to start turning her out and beginning exercise again tomorrow.

Postputasocinit, the impaction is likely from not having turn out (for various reasons) and not drinking enough water. She always has plenty of haylage and I have never seen her eat her straw. She was wormed and teeth done in March.
 
I'm so sorry, that's awful to hear :(
I'm not a colic expert unfortunately, but if you are worried about her eating, instead of not giving her hay put soaked hay in a double netted haynet so she eats it slower and isn't stuffing her face with food.
I agree with @postputasocinnit I would go with that advice :)
Hope your horse recovers quickly... Horrible thing colic! I've been lucky to avoid it so far! Let us know how your horse does x hope you're feeling ok too :)
 
ChestnutGelding5 said:
I'm so sorry, that's awful to hear :(
I'm not a colic expert unfortunately, but if you are worried about her eating, instead of not giving her hay put soaked hay in a double netted haynet so she eats it slower and isn't stuffing her face with food.
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That is a good idea, i don't know why i didn't think of that! Thanks :)

I'm doing ok, thanks! Had a stressful day or so praying for poo (lol), but horsey is on the mend so all good now! Funny thing is, she never really showed big signs of pain or distress considering how big the impaction apparently was...
 
It's good she is doing well now. Maybe you could research feed supplements such as linseed for good gut health if she has no turnout next winter. Mine have turnout but virtually no grass over winter just adlib haylage. I feed unmollassed beet and linseed as well as high fibre feed to all of mine this seems to work well for me.
 
YasandCrystal said:
It's good she is doing well now. Maybe you could research feed supplements such as linseed for good gut health if she has no turnout next winter. Mine have turnout but virtually no grass over winter just adlib haylage. I feed unmollassed beet and linseed as well as high fibre feed to all of mine this seems to work well for me.
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Thanks. She has been having micronised linseed and Graze On for the past couple of months, but I will look in to the best feeds for gut health for next winter if she is in. I have been told that feeding oil helps (not sure if you meant linseed oil) so will consider that too. Not sure what the situation will be next winter, but after this bout of colic I will try my best to turn her out when i can!
 
TT55 said:
That is a good idea, i don't know why i didn't think of that! Thanks :)

I'm doing ok, thanks! Had a stressful day or so praying for poo (lol), but horsey is on the mend so all good now! Funny thing is, she never really showed big signs of pain or distress considering how big the impaction apparently was...
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Glad I was of help and glad she's on the mend! Having friends who have had horses that have gone through colic I know how awfully stressful it can be!
Fingers crossed for both of you! X
 
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