Dr. Brian Eitelman, DVM, CJF, and Aggie Vet and Farrier Services provide veterinarian and farrier services in Parker, CO, Elizabeth, CO, Franktown, CO, Castle Rock, CO, Sedalia, CO and Larkspur, CO. To learn more, please visit us at www.vetandfarrier.com
In this episode, Dr. Brian addresses the most common question at the moment - "How do I keep my horse from colicing with this cold front?"
Hello and welcome to a special truck edition of Ask a Farrinarian. I’m Dr. Brian.
Congrats on surviving 2020 so far, the next phase involves our impending labor day snowpocalypse. I’ve been getting asked a lot about managing colic risk with a cold snap like this and I wanted to take a few minutes and go over my thoughts with everyone.
1- Dramatic cold snap - lose about 50 degrees in one day. Ain’t nobody dressed for that. I’m not the biggest fan of blankets - but this is their moment to shine. I go over this more in the top 5 vet questions video, but the key here is to manage layers. Don’t throw the winter blanket on Monday morning - they’ll be drenched with sweat. When the precipitation starts, have a light rain sheet on. Then when it gets cold, switch to a heavier blanket.
- Best option is to bring them in completely but at least give them sufficient cover from wind and precip.
2 - They’ll likely drink less in the cold so be careful about throwing a lot of extra hay to “help them stay warm.” Blankets and/or protection from the elements will do far more for them. Big changes in feed habits can absolutely increase the risk of colic. Feed them like you normally would and monitor their water intake.
- This looks like noting or marking water troughs and buckets to know how much their actually drinking. Check skin tent and mucous membranes for hydration level. Watch the “is my horse colicing” video for more on that. Quick tip, gums can lie so give them a swipe and 1,2,3 check again, then do it again. I want nice, sloppy, ewe level of spit.
- If you’re using tank heaters, make sure they’re working and don’t have a short in them - stick a hand in and feel slight tickle and watch them drink.
3 - If you’re concerned about colic, PLEASE call early. If it seems minor or you really don’t want to call - maybe crampy or gassy, they can have 1-2 hours tops to work through it not 1-2 days. They’re super easy to treat and high success rate caught early and if referral needed - same applies going to hospital early on. I know it sucks to pay an emergency bill but it sucks way worse to lose to this. Please call early. To understand more about colic, check out the two part “what is colic” series.
4 - Rapid fire wrap up;
- Don’t wait until the last second to prep.
- If you’ve got a barn, start bringing them in now so they don’t have to adjust to that AND the cold.
- Have a plan if your horse is prone to colic or is more on the “sensitive” side of feeling their feelings
- Have a vet or better vets lined up. Hey, if you can’t come, who should I call?
- Change things slowly so again, any changes you’ll make food, clothing, shelter, start transitioning now
- If you have to haul to a hospital, is your trailer ready? Is the friend’s truck/trailer ready if you’re planning to borrow it?
A little prep now will save you a lot of frustration and heartache. Thanks for watching. Thanks for caring about your critters. Please feel free to share this and give us a shout if we can help.
Have happy Labor Day!!