* VET Special
Impaction colic
What it is: a specific type of colic caused by a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract. This is typically caused by a dried mass of food or other material. If a horse is kept on straw and they eat some of the bedding, then this risk can be exacerbated.
“The horse evolved as a trickle grazer and its digestive system works optimally when eating and concurrently ambling around gently,” explains NAF head nutritionist, Kate Hore. “Spending longer in the stable, which reduces walking significantly, can be a risk even when forage is provided, and this results in an increased risk of impaction colic occurring.”
How to spot it: know your horse's poo. In impaction colic cases, droppings are often passed less often, are fewer in number and drier in consistency. The horse may also have a reduced appetite, paw the ground or roll on the floor.
“Split the horse's forage quota into several different feeders around the stable with the water in another corner to
