POP QUIZ ANSWER

C. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when your horse colicks is to medicate him without specific instructions from your veterinarian. A painkiller can mask a potentially serious colic, making an accurate diagnosis very difficult. But there are things you can safely do while you wait—turnout with a calm, friendly herdmate can be reassuring to a colicky horse, and if he wants to lie down quietly, there’s no reason to stop him. Monitor his vital signs including his temperature, if you can do so safely, and pass the information you gather along to your veterinarian once he arrives.