1. Contact a vet
In horses, colic is an expression of pain, so the first thing you should do is always to consult your vet.
Colic in horses - first aid in an emergency
14 February 2020 — by Michael Hoppe
A horse's digestive system is sensitive and reacts sensitively to stress, stabling and too much concentrated feed. That's why many horses are prone to colic and suffer from cramps, bloating, watery stools and other digestive disorders. In case of colic, the first immediate measures can be life-saving.
Koliken können lebensbedrohlich sein, daher sind Erste Hilfe Maßnahmen besonders wichtig.
2. Lead
Walking is better than rolling. Horses with unstable circulation can be allowed to lie down, however, they should be prevented from staying in that position.
3. Observe
Do you notice a cold sweat? Increased tendency to lie down? Rapid, shallow breathing? Bloated nostrils? These are all signs of a serious circulatory disorder - the vet must be consulted.
4. Measure
Measure and record pulse, respiratory rate and temperature every 30 minutes. The standard values and the procedure for the circulatory tests can be found further down in this article.
5. Drink
No hay, no straw, no feed. The horse should not drink anything except water for the time being. Allow the horse to drink at all times.
Measuring instructions
Breathing control - Count how often your horse breathes in one minute. You can easily recognize breathing in horses by the opening and closing of the nostrils or the movement of the flanks. The standard values for breathing are 8 to 16 breaths per minute. Practice these measures on a healthy horse so that you get a feel for pathological changes and can act quicker in an emergency.
Pulse measurement - The easiest way to feel the horse's pulse is by a large vessel on the underside of the jaw. This vessel is located on the side towards the cheek and supplies the large chewing muscle. Due to its position on the bone with hardly any connective tissue covering it, it is easy to feel how the pulse moves through the vessel. Count the number of pulse waves for 15 seconds and then multiply this number by four. A normal pulse for a horse at rest is 30 to 45 beats.
Circulatory check - The characteristics of the pulse wave you feel are also telling in terms of heart activity. If the pulse wave is difficult to feel, this is called a flat pulse. Alternatively, the gums can be a place for a circulation check. Press on the gums with your thumb until they become lighter and observe how quickly the red, healthy color returns. If this takes an unusually long time, it may be an indication of an unstable circulatory situation.
Standard values
- Breathing: 8 - 16 breaths per minute
- Pulse: 30 - 45 beats (count the number of pulse waves for 15 seconds and multiply this number by 4)
- Body temperature: Adult horse: 37.5 - 38.5°C, foal: 38.0 - 39.0°C
Koliken können durch häufiges Füttern von hochwertigem Futter und ausreichend Trinken vorgebeugt werden.
Prevention
- A horse should always have sufficient water available. Horses drink about 50 to 70 liters per day.
- Pay attention to feed quality. There is a risk of contamination from fermenting agents in the feed or fungal infestation.
- Feed several small portions per day. Make sure there is enough roughage and sufficient chewing time.
- Feed from a rack or hay bag and do not let them eat from the sandy ground. There is a risk of sand colic.
- Make sure your horse gets enough exercise and fresh air. Exercise your horse regularly with pleasure and without stress.
- Graze and ungraze with patience and slowly increase the times.
Kolax is suitable for daily use as a digestive stimulant and can also be given to tense horses before breaking in.
Horses have a long gullet, a relatively small stomach and a very long intestine with many natural constrictions. This is where the danger lurks. If horses eat too much quickly or have too little exercise, this can lead to colic. Kolax, with its complex of essential oils, can help to regulate digestion in acute cases and facilitate the transportation of food mash through the intestines.
Kolax is available at your veteterinary practice - also in your area.
