COLIC IN HORSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 April 1938, Page 3

COLIC IN HORSES

SUDDEN CHANGE OF FEED. Horses injudiciously fed and managed are liable to develop attacks of acute and most painful indigestion, known generally as colic. All who have had much stable experience know the symptoms well.

The signs of intense pain are unmistakable. The horse throws himself about wildly, and usually kicks at his stomach. If out of doors, he nearly always lies down and rolls violently.

111-judged feeding, or sudden change in the diet, generally account for the trouble. For instance, the inclusion of much chaffed straw —especially any wheat straw —in the ration may frequently bring on an attack. Colic may result, too. if a horse is allowed to drink heavily soon after a full meal. The horse's stomach being small, the water tends to wash the undigested food out of it. into the intestines. Thirst should be allayed before feeding. Autumn changes in the feeding routine always entail extra risks of colic attacks.

But it is an axiom that sudden changes in feeding stock—horses included —should be avoided. A quick changeover can only be expected to have some bad results. New oats arc best given in admixture with old ones at the start.

A pain-relieving drench must be administered as soon as possible. Turpentine and liquid ammoniac mixture is most in favour for the purpose. A drench consisting of two tablespoonfuls each of these two liquids, stirred in a pint of linseed oil, proves efficacious.

For really severe attacks, something stronger may be required. Nothing better can then be given than a tablespoonful of chlorodyne shaken up in half a pint of water.