A horse with colic is a situation that concerns any horse owner. So what is colic? What indicators should you look for?

Colic in horses refers to pain which stems from the abdomen. Normally horses will not hide abdominal pain very well. So in the event of any disturbance of gut function they tend to display signs of distress.

Signs of discomfort could be stretching, a stance as if to urinate, and hoofing the floor. If the pain is greater the horse will get up and down, and roll to try to become more settled.

It will likely start sweating. In more severe cases it will stand up and lie down and roll constantly.

What Should You Do?
If you believe your horse has colic, it’s best to call an equine vet immediately. They will be in a position to provide rapid pain relief and make a decision whether further treatment is appropriate.

Is there anything you can do while waiting for the vet? Taking your horse for a walk sometimes helps. It can sometimes encourage his intestines to start working ina normal manner and surpress any pain. It could also further prevent your horse lying down and rolling. If he is currently lying on the floor quietly then you should let him stay there.

It used to be thought that a horse could twist its gut by rolling around. That has been proven to be probably incorrect. But it is best to prevent him rolling if possible. That way you can stop your horse harming himself by striking himself on any walls. But take care that you don’t hurt yourself. Horses often forget all their manners if in pain.

There are many differing reasons as to why horses get colic. Often the signs look the same regardless of the cause.

How does the vet investigate the issue? He or she will have a listen to the abdomen with a stethoscope which will show them whether there is more or less activity in the intestines than there should be.

Listening to the heart rate provides a good idea of the severity of the discomfort and the seriousness of the problem. Normally a horse with a regular heart beat doen’t have a serious case. However a high heart rate is not such a promising sign.

A very useful area of the examination is the rectal examination. By feeling the intestines, vets may be able to find the root of the issue. It goes without saying that this is a incredibly skilled examination, that is potentially dangerous for both the horse and vet. Though for an experienced equine vet the information it provides is invaluable in deciding the cause of the problem. It may reveal an obstruction, or a swollen gut loop as a result of a twist or another intestinal issue.

It’s likely that in all but the most straightforward scenarios vets may inset a tube through the horses’ nose into the stomach. Though it sounds uncomfortable but can make the horse more comfortable by lowering the pressure from the stomach. This process can also give the vet useful information as to whether the stomach is emptying properly.

In some cases the horse might be so much distress that it isn’t possible for the vet to examine him properly without first applying a dose of pain killer.

Only by collecting all of the information revealed by a detailed examination is the vet able to make an initial diagnosis. Even then it may not be possible to diagnose exactly what the problem is.

It might be the case that, after the first inspection, your horse requires surgery. But more usually your vet will decide to treat the horse with a short-acting painkiller and monitor his condition after a few hours. The majority of examples show a rapid improvement. However others will either not respond to the treatment, or they might improve initially, only to start showing signs of pain again later.

Rather than having to bring the vet out multiple times, it is normally better to move these cases to a specialist practice where they can be monitored closely and surgery can be performed if appropriate.

In Conclusion
Thankfully the majority of examples respond well to medical treatment. But if surgery is needed – it is important to operate as soon as possible. The chance of a successful outcome is much better if the surgery is carried out before too much damage has occurred.

For more information, horses for sale and more, please visit the Horse and Pony Directory.

Owning a horse is appealing for many people around the world. Horses are gorgeous animals that can ultimately become a extension of your family. Despite what you may think, it is fairly simple to find horses for sale. You can start your search with the sources listed in this article.

For one of the most popular webistes in the UK and USA that list thousands of Horses for Sale as well as Horse and Ponies for Loan check out Horse Sales

If you really want to find what you are looking for, the internet is definitely where you want to begin your search. There is no stopping what you can find online nowadays. A great way to find out whether you will find something online or not, is through the search engines and 11.7 million results come up for ??horses for sale??. Eliminate driving all over town and start scrolling through different websites to find a horse for your family in in no time at all.

Another option other than the internet is the local county newspaper. Although newspapers have fallen over the past decade due to the internet, it is still a viable tool to check when looking for various items. The weekend newspaper will have the most options of horses you can look at.

Horse auctions are spread in different areas and can offer a wide range of horses to choose from. Horses do not come cheap and a horse auction can limit what you spend while allowing you to find the right horse. If you live in the city and are far from such an auction, you may want to jump online and look for the nearest horse auction to you.

Just a reminder that if you are looking for one of the top equestrian websites for the sale and loan of Horses and Ponies then check out Horses for Sale

There are rescue horses you can consider purchasing if this is appealing to you. A majority of the time counties do have one or more rescue ranches for you to adopt. Believe it or not, there are horses who used to be abused and this is your chance to give back some much needed love to a harmed animal. Rescue ranches can also be a location to find healthy horses next to those who have been abused.

Finally, try to get introduced to a horse trainer as they can be a terrific place to find horses for sale. Instead of traveling aimlessly looking for the ideal horse for you, a horse trader can help speed up the process. Horse dealers have a natural eye for pairing people with horses. This will allow you to find a horse that is suitable for you and your skill level of horseback riding.

Looking for horses for sale can be a tiresome and overwhelming thing to do. However, it is important you remain optimistic and continue to do your homework until you find the right horse. Because this is the horse you will have to live with, know that impatience can lead to bad decisions. There are a number of resources for you to use in order to find the right horse. Through the Classifieds, the internet, and horse auctions, in time you will find the horse you desire.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and it has given you an insight into the world of “how and where” to buy horses for sale and horses and ponies for loan. For a huge selection visit one of the top equine sites online today to find Horses for Sale or Loan & Horse Trailers for Sale

Spending quality time with your horse is important in allowing a natural bond to develop, as well as allowing you to learn your horses responses and reactions to different situations. Over time you will learn his body language. A horse that is calm and responsive is generally happy. He will keep a low head, relaxed jaw and have soft eyes.

A happy horse will seek affection from you and show respect by not invading your personal space. When a horse yawns this is not a sign of being bored, but a sign that he is calm and relaxed. If your horse is holding its head high with a tense jaw and has darting eyes and a reluctance to stand still, then there is something wrong – he is not comfortable. You must let the horse settle down in his own time, otherwise he may feel trapped and possibly go into “flight” mode, making him even more stressed.

When grooming your horse you also get the opportunity to check him over for minor ailments or other problems. You should perform regular inspections of your horse’s teeth, eyes, hooves and shoes as well as keeping an eye on his droppings.

Any change in the normal should be reported to your vet at the earliest opportunity – any delay could cause you extra worry, expense and a potential claim on your horse insurance.

Regular worming treatments and routine vaccinations are important and you should make sure that you book appointments for these with your vet. Medications should be rotated so that parasites do not get the chance to become immune – this also gives a wider circle of protection from worms and parasites. The result of insufficient or unsuitable medicines and treatment could be a colicky equine, with potential heart and immune system problems.

Vaccinations for encephalitis, rhinoneumonitis and influenza are essential for a healthy horse. Also advisable while not necessarily essential would be vaccinations against tetanus and rabies. If you are a regular with the horse trailers at horse shows etc, your horse may need to show a negative Coggins test, which is for a serious equine virus called equine infectious anaemia (EIA) for which there is no cure or treatment.

An important part of keeping a horse happy and comfortable is making sure you have a good farrier who visits regularly. Long and imbalanced feet will soon cause discomfort to a horse and both mood and performance will be affected. A horse’s hooves will need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks – your farrier may suggest more often.

During wet and cold weather you should provide a blanket or coat for your horse, and in the summer he will need a fly-protective sheet. If your horse is prone to lathering during or after exercise then it may be best to use a horse cooler until he has calmed down. You should not give a horse water straight after being ridden – this could induce a shock to their system. When you have been exercising your horse, allow him to cool down sufficiently before a meal. You shouldn’t exercise your horse straight after eating – leave it for at least an hour.

Horses need to have a purpose in life – whether this be for work or pleasure. Horses glory in feeling worthwhile. A horse needs to feel a purpose and that everything is ok – a young horse in particular should be praised often even for simply standing still. Horses are also inquisitive, so by introducing new experiences to them, the more positive, confident and brave they will become.

A horse is a beautiful and magnificent creature that deserves a good home for life with excellent care. Before even purchasing a horse you need to be aware of the responsibility you have as a horse owner to provide the best in health care and welfare. Keeping a horse can be a very expensive business, and without good horse insurance provided by a specialist equine insurer, it is possible to quickly run into financial problems if your horse should become sick or sustain an injury. A horse will show you vast amounts of love in return for the simple effort of attention and care for his well-being.