10 TIPS FOR PREVENTING COLIC IN YOUR PONY

1. Have a daily routine and stick to it.

Your pony will be calmer and happier if they know what to expect and when. Turning out, feeding and working your pony at regular times will help to keep them settled so that their gut can function in the best way it can. Of course, sometimes, your plans mean that you have to vary your pony’s routine, e.g. when you go to a show, but just make sure to keep a close eye on your pony on these days, and he should be fine!

2. Feed a high-quality diet comprised primarily of forage.

Your pony needs access to either forage or grazing twenty-four hours a day. This keeps his gut moving and working optimally.

3. Avoid feeding too much concentrate.

Be careful of feeding too much concentrate as feeding a lot of concentrate increases the risk of colic. Make sure your pony is getting everything he needs in his diet, but don’t overfeed him!

4. Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more smaller feedings.

If you have to feed concentrate, you should split it into smaller portions and give the portions over the course of two or three meals each day. This is better for your pony’s gut.

5. Provide daily exercise and lots of turnout.

Movement is good for the gut, so the more your pony moves, the healthier his digestive system will be.

6. Provide fresh, clean water at all times.

Ponies and horses need constant access to clean water to keep the contents of their intestines soft and moving through their system. If your pony stops drinking or suddenly reduces the amount he is drinking, contact your vet and ask for advice. If you catch the problem early enough, you should be able to prevent colic.

7. Check hay, bedding, the pasture and the environment for anything poisonous or toxic.

Certain weeds and toxins can cause colic, so always make sure that your pony lives in a safe environment and that his hay is free of any weeds.

8. Do regular faecal egg counts and deworm when needed.

Ask your vet to do regular faecal egg counts on your pony to check for worms. If they advise that you deworm, then do this with their recommended dewormer.

9. Reduce stress levels for your pony.

Stress causes colic, so always keep your pony’s stress levels to a minimum. Try and keep his routine the same as normal and make sure that if something has to change in his environment (e.g. his friend is moving to a different yard), everything else stays the same. The calmer your pony is, the better his gut works.

10. Learn the habits of your pony so you can spot the second something is not right!

Does your pony always manure in one corner of the stable? Or does he drink the most when he comes in from the paddock? Notice your pony’s habits, and make sure that if anything changes, you call your vet or chat to your stable manager. A change in habits for your pony can signal stress or illness, so knowing what they do on a normal day is very valuable!