7 Easy Ways To Help Prevent Equine Colic

3) Provide Free Choice Forage - Avoid Confinement

Optimal digestion and fermentation requires consistent ingestion and movement (avoid confinement).Mobility stimulates gut motility. Trickle feeding throughout the day and night promotes consistent fermentation and a healthy population of beneficial bacteria, effectively keeping the hindgut weighted (to discourage twisting and encourage continued travel of undigested material motile).  Muscles responsible for movement of the gut are better toned when utilized and can atrophy. 

Feeding meals of hay - which horses can consume too quickly - results in large amounts of dry matter lacking sufficient saliva to forage ratio - combined with large particle sizes from not properly masticating indigestible fiber. Consider slow feeders to increase chew time and further reduction of particle size. Chewing increases saliva production which provides moisture and aids in digestion. Always introduce new forages gradually to avoid disruption of the intestinal flora.
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If you are concerned about caloric intake, offer tested low sugar/starch straight grass hay (NSC 10% or less), a well-balanced diet and routine exercise. Experiment with slow feeders to determine the smallest mesh size that enables your horse to extract hay without being frustrated. Frustration is counterproductive - it causes stress!

Did you know sand colic is estimated to be responsible for approximately 30% of colic cases? Learn the most effective means for sand removal and the best way to prevent the accumulation of sand.
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4)  Feed from Ground Level

A natural grazing position allows the mandible (jaw bone) to come down and forward in the atlantoaxial and temporomandibular joints. This enables the mandible to move freely up and down, side to side, forward and back without any restriction. This free movement facilitates natural wear of teeth along with optimum mastication and reduction of particle size.

Standard Hay Pillow®: slow feed hay bag that allows a natural grazing position. 

​5) Perform Routine Dental Exams

Include exams at all ages for retained caps, lost and/or broken teeth, abnormal or uneven bite planes, infected teeth and/or gums, periodontal disease and hooks - which are sharp protrusions of teeth that can penetrate the opposing gum.

Any condition causing pain can discourage the required chew time necessary for proper digestion - and may induce colic and/or choke. Optimal mastication (grinding) requires significant unobstructed motion of the jaw.

Miniature breeds are especially susceptible to genetic deformities. They have the same number of teeth, but whether they all fit in the reduced head size and line up properly is of concern.  Find more suggestions for minis here:  Feeding Miniature Horses & Donkeys: Why Slow Fed Forage is Best

6)  Ensure Fresh Clean Water is Available at all Times

Buckets and tubs should be cleaned and changed daily. In colder climates, heat the water to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The quality of your horse’s water should be equivalent to that of a human! 

7)  Avoid Feeding Hay Pellets, Cubes or Chopped Hay as a Primary Forage Source

The already reduced particle size does not provide the volume of indigestible fiber to properly keep the gut motile and weighted.

Hay provides the largest volume of fiber overall compared to hay pellets, cubes and chopped hay due to its natural particle size (longer leaves and stems) and requires longer chew time per pound. Chewing increases saliva production (an alkaline substance), which buffers gastric acid, aids in digestion and increases the saliva to forage ratio.

In addition, the digestive tract depends on a steady flow of fiber to:

• Maintain a healthy microbial population
• Promote gut motility

The quality of hay (including mold and noxious weeds) is not visible after the processing of pellets, cubes and chopped forage occurs. Of course, there are exceptions for individuals not able to masticate proficiently (typically older horses) due to dental challenges.​ If feeding pellets or cubes, soaking them prior to feeding is recommended. Learn more about Grass Hay vs Pellets, Cubes & Chopped Hay – Pros & Cons.
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The Takeaway:

Being proactive to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of colic is far more productive than being reactive. Eliminating probable causes means far less mental and financial stress for you and less physical distress for your horse.