Course Complete

Here we examine the different types of colic in horses.

This depends on the cause of the colic.

I suggest that the vast majority of colic is caused by stress of the work people ask of them - the stress of transportation, or the stress of shows. Other major causes include over eating especially hard feed, eating too much fresh grass when they’re not used to it and eating toxic plants (unlikely when there is plenty of edible grass around).

Symptoms often start with restlessness, pawing the ground and kicking at the belly. Lying down and violently rolling, constantly looking at the flank, increased breathing rate and an anxious expression. There can be increased flatulence, abdominal rumbling and a tense abdomen.

The first thing to do is to remove them from the cause, if you know what it is.

In the early stages, always start them off with Aconite. That may be all they need if the colic is caused by stress.

If they become very hot, with a full bounding pulse, sweating and excitable, and wide pupils if you're able to see, then Belladonna is needed.

Rumbling, distention of the abdomen and a tendency to remain standing rather than rolling may need Colchicum.

With severe pain, watery stool and flatus, then Colocynth. Especially after eating too much green grass when unused to it.

With pain and a disinclination to move, then Bryonia may be indicated. This is especially so if there is any unusual irritability. Usually there is an infrequent thirst for large amounts.

Anxiously looking at the flank, desire to lie down, colic from eating indigestible food or over-eating, then Nux vomica can be indicated. They can be irritable and cold.

With impaction, both  Nux vomica and Bryonia can be indicated depending on the symptoms.

In extremely acute  cases, doses every 10 - 15 mins will be necessary for  a few doses, then tapering off as the horse responds.

In some parts of the world, there is also sand colic. Normally this is isolated to sandy areas and long dry weather spells. When the rains come, the grass starts growing. The horses are eager to eat fresh grass, so eat the young shoots which are not firmly established. As they graze, they pull up the roots, with sand attached.

This sand builds up in their stomachs, eventually causing colic. The horse can look rather plump.

The addition of psyllium husk in the diet prevents this happening. Some horses don’t like it, so start with just a little and build up until you can see sand coming out in the manure. Then stay at that amount.

It’s unlikely you need to add that all year round, but I like to, just in case.

I believe that soaked linseed and sugar beet pulp does the same, but I can’t vouch for that.

If your horse tends to colic and nothing indicated here seems quite right, then have a consultation with a homeopath to go over the symptoms. Then you can have a remedy on hand.

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Module 5 - Other Emergencies

Colic in Horses

Colic in Horses

Recent Vaccination

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Infections, Inflammation, Fever

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Digestion - Acute Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Constipation

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Neurological Issues

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Apparent Pain

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Dizzy, Vertigo, Vestibular Disease

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Parasites

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The End of Life

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Course Complete

two legs and four holistic health academy

This self empowering collection of courses is to help you and yours achieve optimum health through diet, lifestyle and the use of some of the common homeopathic remedies. All in the comfort of your home.

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