What's causing colic at this time of year?

[Fjord]

My friend lost her horse to colic last week (my mare's field mate) and the vet had 2 other serious episodes at the same time. Another on the yard got colic yesterday but thankfully it only seems to be mild and he's OK. Just read a FB friend has lost one of hers to colic tonight.

What causes it at this time of year? I'm worried, 2 out of 4 horses on our yard in a week is a bit scary.

 

[MinKo]

The sugar in the grass will be higher due to colder over night and dew on the ground. This can cause colic and also really affect laminitis cases

 

[GreyDot]

Sorry to hear that! September flush of grass can be an issue. Changing of the seasons, changing of routine/feeding. Spring and autumn are both seasons to watch as far as colic is concerned.

 

[Squeak]

I'm up with a colicking horse tonight. I think it must be the sudden change in the weather and sugars in the grass.

I really hate colic. Hope this stays as just a mild bout.

 

[rabatsa]

A lot of people are bringing horses inside more due to wet weather or stormy days/nights. It may only be for one day or night but then the diet has a sudden change onto hay and back off hay. Same with putting hay inside a field shelter for a bad weather spell, it may be there all the time but not eaten as grass is more apealing, it still gives a sudden diet change and chopping about from one to the other is a real colic inducer.

 

[exracehorse]

I’ve had colic three times. And all in October. Last time my boy was cold after temp had dropped. It was raining. He had tucked up. And hasn’t pooped. The two previous times with different horses .. same thing. Drop in temperature. Not drinking as much

 

[paddy555]

I have found wet grass and unrugged horses contribute alot.

 

[J&S]

Yes wet grass, particularly longer wet grass can induce colic in my veteran mare. I keep her on short grass with some additional hay.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Mine has been on box rest for nearly a fortnight and I'm keen to get him back out but worried about colic. I'm thinking of starting with half a day (3 to 4 hours) then building up to a full 8 hour day. I can't muzzle because the grass is already grazed down too far. He's been on gut balancer since starting box rest.

Any advice?

 

[Baywonder]

I'm up with a colicking horse tonight. I think it must be the sudden change in the weather and sugars in the grass.

I really hate colic. Hope this stays as just a mild bout.

I hope everything is okay @Squeak

 

[Fjord]

I'm up with a colicking horse tonight. I think it must be the sudden change in the weather and sugars in the grass.

I really hate colic. Hope this stays as just a mild bout.

Oh Squeak, I do hope everything is OK.

 

[scats]

I had a horse who colicked every September without fail. Vets reckoned it was to do with the change in consistency of grass, something to do with it getting waxy?

 

[Squeak]

I hope everything is okay @Squeak

Oh Squeak, I do hope everything is OK.

Thank you both, he's seeming a lot better this morning and I'm weaning back on to food and just hoping he stays good when the pain killers wear off.

It's amazing how happy you can be to see a poo!