5 tips to prevent colic in horses

Colic is one of the most common causes of illness and death in horses. They usually occur very suddenly and can deteriorate rapidly.
I spoke with cand. vet. Till Scheubeck. He is a future veterinarian and told me his 5 best tips on how to prevent colic in horses with simple measures.

Tip No. 1: Feed regularly

Regular and balanced feeding in horses is the absolute basis. Only certified feeds should be fed to horses. Make sure that they are not mouldy or expired.
During the feeding time, absolute quietness in the stable should always be ensured. Stress, hustle and bustle put unnecessary strain on the horses' digestion.
When feeding, the same times should always be observed in order to avoid too long feeding breaks.

Tip no. 2: Hay before concentrated feed

In the wild, horses feed exclusively on grass, shrubs or leaves. They are used to eating or digesting stomach contents 24 hours a day. Therefore, too long pauses in eating put a strain on a horse's stomach and can lead to over-acidity due to stomach acid.
Experts therefore always recommend feeding a ration of hay before giving the horse concentrated feed. This allows the horse to digest the hay first and the stomach is not burdened by the "heavy" concentrated feed.

Tip no. 3: Do not ride the horse directly after feeding it.

We humans know it too: Immediately after a meal, food can sometimes feel heavy in our stomachs and too much exercise can lead to stomach aches. This is also the case with horses! Therefore, you should not ride or move the horse immediately after feeding it, but wait at least one hour before moving it.

Tip no. 4: Regular worming

Regular deworming of horses is obligatory, even if no worms are visible in the faeces. This is the only way to ensure that no worms remain in the intestine and burden it unnecessarily.

Tip No. 5: Feed Mash

Mash is considered an absolute insider tip among veterinarians. The easily digestible feed is prepared with plenty of water as described in the instructions. This liquid mash is then fed to the horse after the infusion time. It calms the intestines and reduces inflammation. At the same time, it can be an easily digestible alternative to the horse's normal concentrated feed during weather changes or stressful situations.