Supporting a horse after mild colic

[Box_Of_Frogs]

In serious panic mode here. My horse Sunny is a 22yr old good doer, Section D. He loses weight fast and gains it fast. He's never had colic that I know of before but he had a mild attack last Saturday - mild as in resolved fairly easily with Buscopan injection, not mild as in you can ignore it. We're pretty sure it was caused by a week on lush spring grass, out overnight and in during the day. Sunny is part Section D, part garbage disposal unit and he would rank his favourite food as (1) grass (2) anything in a bucket (3) anything in a haynet. So on the lush grazing it was head down and don't look up. I should have thought it through more carefully so my fault. My problem now is how to support him SAFELY, post colic. I've just spent hours on the internet researching colic - respectable veterinary sites - and shockingly, the very things you might think to do to prevent further episodes can also INCREASE the likelihood of another attack. Stress, changes in management, long periods stabled, changes in diet, sudden increase in work/exercise all contribute. I intend limiting his turnout on a less lush paddock, stabling him 20 hrs a day and working him gently daily. But this will be a sudden change for him and I'm worried that the stress could precipitate another episode. I'm totally swamped by the whole thing and what to do best for him. I've just looked up Coligone - it seems to be ideal to support his gut function and the info is very helpful. Anyone got any experience of this as a long term support? Or would a grazing mask be kinder? I'm desperate here guys. My YO has been SOOOO supportive and tons of experience and I know you sometimes have to be "cruel to be kind" but I'm just trying to keep Sunny happy and stress free but ALIVE. Feel like weeping. Help. {{can't get miserable-looking smiley to insert here}}

 

[ivenoidea]

FHC had his first colic attack aged 20 last year, again due to lush grass. Apparantly there was a lot of mild colic around last year due to the grass growth pattern. He was kept in for a day, then given reduced turnout for a few days, then back to normal. He colicked again a few days later after being allowed eight hours grazing ( - luckily again only mild and quickly sorted).

He was then only allowed out for a few hours a day for the rest of the summer and we had no more problems. Fingers crossed for this year.

Keeping piggles off the grass for more than a few hours a day is probably the best thing that you can do.

 

[Marchtime]

Try not to stress yourself! My boy used to be prone to mild attacks of spasmodic colic brought on by anything and everything, although they were often in spring and autumn when the weather was very changeable. Luckily they were always easily resolved, we decided he was just a wimp!
I now try to keep his feed as simple as possible, I feed three smaller feeds rather than two big ones, he is turned out from 9am til 2pm each day and *touches wood* hasn't had colic in over a year. I watch him when the weather is like now - I desperately try to make sure he isn't too hot or cold.
If your boy has made it to 22yrs old without much hassle then I wouldn't go overboard. Limit his grazing on the lush grass but don't go into full on panic mode. Watch over or under rugging him as I'm sure this weather doesn't help.

 

[emmah]

My horse had colic last year and the vets at leashurst recomended feeding a supplement called 'Yea-sacc' Dodson & horell do one and its only 17pounds a tub and lasts 2 1/2 months. Its supposed to help the hind gut with changes in the grass etc.... so far (fingers crossed!) she hasnt shown any signs on colic since

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Thanks guys. And Emmah, my rescue mare already has D&H Yea Sac as she has dreadful liver damage from ragwort poisoning. Yea Sac helps her hind gut digestion. Problem is, it's also an appetite stimulant so don't dare give it to Sunny. I'm interested in knowing if Coligone actually works. Anyone got any experience?

 

[JRT]

My horse managed to escape from his paddock on Monday morning into a lush field. I immediately gave him a Coligone paste and fortunately it stopped his normal gassy colic in its tracks. I always keep a tube handy and it usually gets rid of his gassy tummy quite quickly. His paddock is now completely surrounded with electric fencing which we strip graze at the moment and suppliment with hay. I really do rate Coligone highly.

 

[Sooty]

We used Coligone when Toffee had colic attacks, and found it very helpful indeed - you could see a visible relief. Your horse sounds like ours, even down to the breeding. We too turn out at night (less sugar in the grass) and strip graze, supplementing with hay, and sometimes straw, just to keep the digestive system going. I don't use Coligone on a regular basis, but it is so effective when she has an attack. She just can't be allowed unlimited grazing, and I wouldn't trust her to keep a muzzle on!