Twisted Gut

FanyDuChamp

FanyDuChamp

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Unfortunately a horse on my yard has very sadly died of a twisted gut.

I am not sure how horses get it, if it can be prevented and whether or not it is related to colic or having worm damage. My horse, Cappy, had a huge worm burden when we bought him and I think I heard it can be caused by that. Is there anything an owner can do to help stop it happening?
 
not really. the horses digestive tract is so long and twisty from time to time it happens. Worm damage can certainly contribute to these sort of things but if you feed plenty of roughage, turn out as much as possible and i know there are many 'experts' who will tell you otherwise feed a bit of damp bran. i have run lots of yards with little colic and i always do. so do a few other much more luminary sorts.
worm regularly and if you are not sure with what get advice from the vet.
if you cannot turn out try not to leave the horse for long periods without food, hay ad lib if you can.
that will all help.
 
Thanks very much for your reply, I do worm regularly and he has a high fibre diet,will feed bran again, I used to. Really just me worrying, as Cappy is prone to gaseous colic and probably has worm damage, I will speak to my vet and see what he has to say.
 
No worries. sadly the previous worm damage will always be a worry but you should be able to manage him. also grass based nuts digest easier than most other sorts of compund feeds and are not so molassed which i think (anecdotally again!) is one rreason stomach ulcers are onthe increase.
you dont need to go wild with the bran i usually use about a third of a scoop per feed, fed damp. as i said many peeps will disagree but i just think it has a cleansing effect on the gut and if you are feeding decent hay and other good quality feedstuffs the calcium phosphorus ratio thing is no bother. feel free to PM me if you want to ask anything else, i dont often come on this bit of the forum x
 
FDC - if I was you I'd immediately order a pack of the original (minty) Coligone and start Cappy on it. It is amazing stuff and is designed for colicky or stressy horses. My horse had an attack of gassy colic 2 springs ago and thank god a shot of buscopan off the vets and Coligone for 3 days and he was fine. I now give him 3 days of Coligone every time anything stressful happens in his life. Owners use it as preventative and vets prescribe it for acute attacks. It has completely turned around at least 2 horses on my yard. PM Hs_mum or Llwyncwn for details.
 
Thanks, Box of Frogs, I have a huge tub of it, unfortunately Cappy won't touch it. I have tried adding sugar, apple, apple juice, soaking it into his hay etc. So have gone and bought some marmite going to try that. If not strawberry jam, any other suggestions on how to get the blighter to eat it will be greatly appreciated. Do they do it without menthol? If so I will get some.

Thanks again.
 
I've just received coligone for my colic prone horse, its very very strong ainseed smell, I don't recall seeing a non minty option on their website. Have also ordered pink powder as cheaper for maintenance.
 
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