keeperofthehorses
Well-Known Member
This is my third colic in 12 months.
This time it was my Paint gelding, Guy (yes the same one that dumped Darrin last month). Didn't want dinner, listened to his belly and heard NOTHING. Very pale. Very quiet. Called the vet, jogged him out, he passed some manure. Vet came, normal gut sounds, normal color, normal temperature. The only thing abnormal was me; pacing and chain-smoking. I told the vet that he still wasn't acting himself. Mr. Personality was quite stoic. So he tubed him.
Overnight, he pooped (I love to see poop in the morning), and remodeled his stall. He's a bit like Marty's Sonny.
What am I doing wrong? I micro-manage these horses specifically to try to prevent colic. I have a strict feeding regimen that I stick to (hay 2 hours before turn out or pelleted feed, loose salt, block salt, suppliments, beet pulp mashes on occasion). I'm wondering if I should go to beet pulp mashes every day (that's a lot of soaking). They are wormed on rotation every-other month. I wormed with Ivermectin on Sunday.
I'm starting to feel like I'm driving myself into the nut house trying to keep them healthy. I'm always worrying about colic. My horses are sick of me having my ear on their bellies. It's like mare-stare that never ends. The vet said last night, "Sometimes no matter what you do, they are going to colic on you occasionally." I think he thinks I'm one fruit loop short of a full bowl.
I've always been told that colic is a management issue; not enough roughage, water, exercise, eating inappropriate things. Any ideas? I'm desperate... for my horses' health and my own sanity. I'd like to be able to enjoy my horses, and not constantly stress out about their health.
Suzanne
sleepless and stressed
Overnight, he pooped (I love to see poop in the morning), and remodeled his stall. He's a bit like Marty's Sonny.
What am I doing wrong? I micro-manage these horses specifically to try to prevent colic. I have a strict feeding regimen that I stick to (hay 2 hours before turn out or pelleted feed, loose salt, block salt, suppliments, beet pulp mashes on occasion). I'm wondering if I should go to beet pulp mashes every day (that's a lot of soaking). They are wormed on rotation every-other month. I wormed with Ivermectin on Sunday.
I'm starting to feel like I'm driving myself into the nut house trying to keep them healthy. I'm always worrying about colic. My horses are sick of me having my ear on their bellies. It's like mare-stare that never ends. The vet said last night, "Sometimes no matter what you do, they are going to colic on you occasionally." I think he thinks I'm one fruit loop short of a full bowl.
I've always been told that colic is a management issue; not enough roughage, water, exercise, eating inappropriate things. Any ideas? I'm desperate... for my horses' health and my own sanity. I'd like to be able to enjoy my horses, and not constantly stress out about their health.
Suzanne
sleepless and stressed