AVOID COSTLY DELAYS

when thinking about winter colic.

With that in mind, keep one eye on the forecast and be extra vigilant when a storm front is moving in. If there is an increased risk of colic when the weather changes, you don’t want to pile on with other risk factors. That means making sure your horse has water, forage and some room to move around as soon as is feasible. Also, try to avoid making

A horse can develop any type of colic at any time of year, so don’t take a “wait and see” approach if your horse is in distress in the hopes that he has a small blockage that will get better on its own. Whenever your horse shows signs of colic in winter, call your veterinarian and let her know what’s going on. She may head out immediately, or—based on your description of the signs— she may recommend some rehydration strategies and ask for an update in a few hours. What you don’t want to do is medicate your horse before consulting with your veterinarian. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications can be very good at masking the pain of even serious colics. You may think you’ve managed a simple impaction successfully when you are only delaying the diagnosis of a strangulation, which requires prompt treatment for the best outcome. changes to his routine and management when the weather changes. When the storm arrives, check your horses regularly and watch closely for signs of colic. A colicky horse in winter may not be especially sweaty, but be on the lookout for restlessness, dry and/or scant manure, lying down more than usual and “flank gazing” as he looks back at his painful sides.