FEEDING YOUR HORSE AFTER COLIC

In most situations, the energy requirement for a healthy adult horse at a maintenance level of activity can be met if the horse consumes between 1.5% and2.5% of its BW per day as hay. However, the energy needs of hospitalized horses are probably much lower because of reduced energy expenditure. When energy supply from carbohydrate and fat is limited, muscle protein will be used for energy contributing to a loss of lean body mass. Therefore, in developing a nutritional plan, first ensure that minimal energy needs are being met and then ensure the protein requirements are being met.

Horses with simple colic (i.e., no specific diagnosis) rarely need special dietary management. Feed and water should be withheld during the colic episode, with resumption of normal feeding after the colic signs have resided. An evaluation of diet may be indicated when there is suspicion that diet or feeding practice contributed to the episode of colic. Some recommend the withholding of grain feedings for a few days to limit gas production in the hindgut. Horses recovering from intestinal surgery can resume feeding when there is clinical evidence of intestinal motility.

Initially, the horse should be fed small amounts (1 lb) of good quality forage (e.g., grass hay, alfalfa) four to six times daily, with a gradual increase in the volume of feedings over the following days, providing the horse tolerates the increase in feeding. Alternatively, the horse may be allowed to graze pasture for 20–30 min several times throughout the day or provided a highly digestible; low-bulk pelleted feed such senior feeds. Grains should be avoided for at least 10–14 days post-surgery (or colic) because of concern that an excess fo starch may disrupt an already disrupted hindgut microbial population.

Large Intestinal Disorders

Horses with impaction of the large intestine should not be fed until after resolution of the impaction. Fresh grass, alfalfa pellets, chopped alfalfa hay, and other sources of highly digestible fiber are preferred. Diarrhea is a complication of all types of colic surgery, but the risk seems to be highest in horses undergoing surgery for large intestinal disorders. Horses fed grass hay were one half as likely to develop severe diarrhea as horses not fed grass hay. Horses should be fed small amounts of grass or soft grass hay at frequent intervals (every 2–3 h) as early as 12 h post-surgery, providing there is no evidence of complications. First cut hay is preferred because of higher dry matter digestibility compared with more mature forages. No grain or concentrate should be introduced until 10–14 days post-surgery. However, the feeding of a low bulk pelleted feed may be beneficial during this period.  If additional calories are needed for  weight maintenance, a “fat and fiber” concentrate rather than grain or sweet feed is  recommended.

After your horse has been treated for colic it is important to monitor signs carefully. Note attitude, water intake, passage of manure (consistency and amount) and gas, urination, gut sounds, gum color (pink is normal), hydration (check gum moisture and skin pinch on point of shoulder), and temperature (less than 101.5 F). Look for any signs of discomfort such as pawing at the ground, looking or kicking at the belly, a distended or tucked-up abdomen, lying down frequently or rolling.

Most horses drink 8-10 gallons of water per day during the summer and 6-8 gallons during the winter. Horses that colic usually have a reduced water intake that may last several days. Warm, clean water should be provided for your horse – if the horse does not drink, try providing a bucket of flavored water in addition to the bucket of fresh water. You can flavor a five gallon  bucket with 2 tablespoons salt, 1/8 cup of molasses or 1 can frozen apple juice concentrate or carrot juice or Gatorade.

Geor, R.J. 2007.  How  to Feed Horses  Recovering from Colic. AAEP Proceedings.  Pp 196.