Colic is one of the most common causes of death in horses and ponies. Colic episodes can be most distressing for both the horse suffering from it and the caretake/owner of the horse.
Many factors can contribute to developing colic and we know that in many cases, diet plays a significant role. What and how you feed your horse or pony can significantly increase or decrease their risk of developing colic.
Research has shown that a diet high in concentrates (ie mueslis, grain-based feeds) increases the risk of colic. In one particular study, horses fed a diet ‘high’ in concentrates (where ‘high’ was considered more than 2.5kg day- which in reality, is a small amount compared to what many horses are fed) had a significant increase in the risk of developing colic.
The more concentrate/grain or ‘hard’ feed a horse receives (and the less roughage they consume) the higher their risk of colic episodes. For every 1kg increase in concentrated feed per 100kg of body weight, the risk of colic increased by more than three times.
On the flip side, for every 1 kg increase in roughage (forage/hay) per 100 kg bodyweight fed per day, the risk of colic dropped by more than three times!
There are many likely mechanisms for the significantly increased/decreased risk of colic with the associated dietary changes.
The most important take-home question from the above is that what we feed our horses matters- not only for their performance, growth, body condition and health- but also in terms of increasing or decreasing their risk of colic.
Camilla Whishaw is a highly regarded, experienced horsewoman and naturopath, helping to holistically treat and manage a broad range of equine health conditions and injuries, with a passion for mare and stallion fertility.
As a world-renowned practitioner, presenter, author, and consultant in the field of Equine Naturopathy, Camilla shares her knowledge through keynote presentations, interviews, lectures, panel sessions, and workshop training.
