TIPS FOR PREVENTING COLIC
- Feed a well – balanced diet to suit the age and energy requirements of your horse . Introduce new feeds gradually.
- Feed plenty of roughage (in the form of good quality hay)
- Provide free access to clean, fresh water at all times
- Provide regular exercise and/ or adequate turnout to a paddock
- Feed away from sandy areas and do not throw hay directly onto the ground as horses will ingest a large amount of sand this way. Feeding in an area with a rubber mat footing will allow any sand to be swept away prior to feed ing. If the horse spills feed on the ground, they will then eat off the rubber mat rather than sandy ground.
- Conduct regular fecal egg counts and formulate a deworming protocol for your farm.
- Schedule regular dental check – ups (we recommend annual dentals f or most horses. Older horses and those with dental issues may need more frequent, 6
- Avoid competition for feed (eg. Feed older horses away from younger, more dominant ones to ensure they are getting enough feed)
- Divide your hard feed into two rations and feed twice daily to avoid one large meal
- Regularly check pasture and bedding for any foreign materials or weeds that may be harmful to your horse
- Do not turn hors es out onto sandy or bare land just after the first rains as they will pick at the new shoots and almost certainly ingest a large amount ofsand in the process
- Monitor daily water intake of your horse if possible. Add some electrolytes to their feed in very cold and v ery warm weather to ensure adequate consumption of water.
- Develop a daily routine of feeding, exercise and turnout and stick to it.