The Equinist: Articles and Commentary by Susan Kauffmann

            Colic, a term used for any kind of abdominal pain originating in the horse’s gastro-intestinal tract, is one of the most common and most feared of any equine emergency. The high incidence of colic can be attributed to a number of factors including feeding strategies, environmental variables, and the physiology of the horse’s digestive system.  The fear factor is due to colic’s well-deserved reputation as a killer of horses, and because many horse owners feel helpless when faced with the prospect of a colicking horse. However, despite its fearsome reputation, colic is usually not fatal, and most cases resolve without surgical intervention. A major study conducted by the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System found that the incidence of colic was 4.2 events/100 horses per year, with a fatality rate of 11 percent. That means that less than one out of every 200 horses will die in any given year from colic. Still, horse owners who have ...

Sunny summer days exert a certain power over horse owners, urging us to  get out and ride NOW,  before winter slaps us senseless again. However, summer temperatures can put your horse at risk for heat stress – a common condition that can have serious consequences if not recognized and treated early enough. On those really hot summer days, horses appreciate having plenty of fresh, cool water -- inside and out! CAUSE AND PREVENTION Horses have a large body mass relative to their surface area, which makes them good at staying warm when it is cold, but not as efficient at cooling off when it gets hot out. For this reason, your horse’s “perfect day” might feel slightly chilly to you. Says Jennifer Jackson, DVM, of the Kamloops Large Animal Veterinary Clinic in Kamloops, BC, “Horses are most comfortable at 50-60 F, and concerns should be in motion once the temperature gets to 75 F or higher. Humidity also plays a part, because it affects the ability of the ...