Equine Gas Colic

Gas colic, the result of gas pockets forming within the large intestine, while rarely serious can cause a painful stomachache for a horse. Before home-treating the colic, determine whether the gas colic could be the result of a more serious condition by making an appointment with your vet. Gas colic, like other forms of colic, can be caused by improper diet and unsanitary living conditions.

Essentially you want to make your horse as comfortable as possible so it can recover. This includes harnessing it outside of its pen and letting it get adequate sunlight and clean, fresh water, so you can completely clean its corral, making sure to rid the enclosure of manure, mud, or excess loose dirt. Do not feed your horse on the bare ground, as it can ingest foreign objects and dirt which will cause gas colic and other digestive problems.

The time it takes for your horse to recover from gas colic all depends on how quickly you get its corral clean. You can also administer homeopathic gas remedies to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with gas. If its corral is clean of debris, and you continue to feed it in a clean container, the gas colic will run its course and should be relieved in 24 to 48 hours.

There are several other forms of equine colic such as Displacement, Gastric rupture, Colitis, Impaction and spasmodic. All forms of colic can be dangerous if it isn't treated appropriately. Pay attention to your horse and never ignore strange behavior as it can be a sign of a serious condition such as colic. The symptoms of all equine colic include gut biting, assuming the urinating position without actually urinating, decreased amounts of feces and pawing at the ground.

Living in rural areas may make it difficult to seek immediate attention for your horse if they are experience a violent bout of colic. Many times when you call your vet, he or she will simply tell you to take the hourse's temperature and vitals for them, so they can decide whether its worth their coming out to you or not. It is important to know that it is never safe to attempt to check the vital signs of a horse who is behaving violently. Leave it to the professionals.