Nearly every equine enthusiast has been told that to allow a colicky horse to lay down is a possible death sentence: They may roll around and “twist” their gut, leading to a potentially more-serious colic outcome. Instead of leaving the horse to his own devices to find a comfortable position, horse owners often walk a colicky horse, not allowing him a chance to stop and breathe or stand quietly.
However, hand walking is only helpful for some types of colic—in others, it may make the situation worse. When deciding if a horse should be hand walked, it's important to consider the following:
- Many minor colic episodes resolve on their own. If the horse is quiet, remove all hay and water and let him stand or rest quietly while consulting with a veterinarian.
- Walking a horse can help impactions or a trapped gas bubbles move through the intestinal tract. However, if a horse has been walked (briskly) for 30 minutes and his condition has not changed, more hand walking will not help him. Never force a horse to walk and call the veterinarian immediately.
- Even a normally docile horse in intense pain may become aggressive and unpredictable; walking him may endanger both the horse and he people around him. Additionally, if a horse is violent, he most likely has a colic that can only be remedied with surgery. Instead of focusing on walking, focus on how to get him in front of a vet as rapidly as possible.
It's important to note that other conditions can present like colic, including low-grade laminitis or an abscess. To help rule out other possible conditions, take the horse's temperature. Colic is not usually associated with any fever.
Read more at EQUUS magazine.
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