In this section we discuss general horse health issues.
Most frequently, the abdominal pain is caused by spasms of the intestines, called Spasmodic Colic.
Causes:
a. Damage to the intestine by parasites; or
b. Feeding too soon after exercise.
Symptoms:
a. Horse goes into distress;
b. Sweating;
c. Horse constantly gets up then lies down;
d. Turns and look frequently at the flanks;
e. Kicks at the abdomen and rolls.
Treatment:
Treatment with a relaxant (spasmolytic) drug usually alleviates the problem quickly.
Another less common type of colic is caused by a blockage of the large intestine by feed. This is known as Impactive Colic.
Causes:
a. This is mostly caused when horses have consumed a large amount of straw bedding.
Symptoms:
a. Horse is not in as much pain as with Spasmodic Colic;
b. Horse tends to lie down or look off-colour;
c. Horse constantly gets up then lies down;
d. A manual exam by a vet will confirm.
Treatment:
Large amounts of liquid parafin, salt water and an agent to stimulate gut movement are given to the horse.
The third type of colic is known as Intestinal catastrophy ("Twisted Gut").
Causes:
This occurs when the intestines twist and the blood supply is cut off.
Symptoms:
a. Horses are in severe agony and sweat a lot;
b. Left untreated, they collapse, and shock and then death occur.
Treatment:
A vet must be called out as soon as possible, and abdominal surgery is the last resort. However, due to the severity, death is often the result, and the animal is usually put down so as not to prolong the pain.
Gaseous distension of the intestines is caused by a gassy build-up in the intestines, (fermentation of food), most usually when Brewer's Grain has been fed to the horse. It is extremely painful.
A tube is generally inserted into the stomach to allow the gas to be released.
Anaesthesia and surgery may be necessary.
General description of correct feeding, and feed types for different horses and their needs according to the work they do.
Different supplemets available - licks, additives, etc, and how they benefit the horse, and in which circumstances they are necessary.
Re-iterate that prevention is better than cure. All horses should receive then annual and bi-annual vaccinations (E.g. Horse sickness, Tetanus, Horse Flu, etc).
Give a full vaccination programme for the year.
Symptoms, causes, and effects of worms.
Once again stress the importance of deworming regularly and include a programme.
Work out the costs of a horse who has worms.
Causes of lameness in horses.
Muscle problems - back, legs, shoulders, causes and treatment.
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