H.O.P.E.

Colic in horses is defined as abdominal pain, but it is a clinical sign or a symptom rather than a diagnosis. The term colic can encompass all forms of gastrointestinal conditions which cause pain as well as other causes of abdominal pain not involving the gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of colic are gastrointestinal in nature and are most often related to colonic disturbance.

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  Pelvic flexure impaction

  
  

  This is caused by an impaction of food material at a part of the large bowel known as the pelvic flexure of the left

  
  

A horse may exhibit any of the following symptoms. It is important to recognize the difference between a symptom of colic, and natural horse behavior. For example, horses enjoy rolling around - it is a natural behavior for them. It is imperative that you can tell the difference between when a horse is rolling because they are in pain, or when they are rolling to simply scratch their back.

• Be sure that all feed is stored behind closed doors. If for some reason a horse manages to escape from their stall and gets into a feed bin or storage container, they can overload on carbohydrates resulting in colic.


• Do NOT allow horses access to any spoiled or moldy feed, stagnant water, or otherwise contaminated sustainance.

Rolling

• The Illustrated Veterinary Encyclopedia for Horsemen Equine Research Inc.
• Veterinary Medications and Treatments for Horsemen Equine Research Inc.
• Horse Owner's Veterinary Handbook James M. Giffin, M.D. and Tom Gore, D.V.M.
• Preventing Colic in Horses Christine King, BVSc, MACVSc