Natural Protocol for Colic

Posted in: Featured, Horse Care, Horse Supplies

Colic is something that most horse owners have dealt with a time or two. Colic is something that can put the best of horses down and lead to a life or death situation very quickly. On our ranch we like to take a natural approach as much as possible, including in our horse care. We always have vets that we work in close contact with as well as never prolong vet care in emergency situations. Colic is something I have seen horses completely turn around with a few natural remedies and quick responses. 

What is colic you may ask, well colic is a term that encompasses a lot of digestive issues in a horse. Anything from simple gas to complete twisting of the intestines are included under the umbrella of “colic”. Many common signs of colic include: laying down and not getting back, biting at their stomachs, rolling excessively, not having bowel movements, overall discomfort and lack of appetite. Quickly noticing these changes in a horse and treatment can make a huge difference in the outcome of colic.

The first thing I do anytime I see a horse that looks like he may be starting into colic or any tummy problems, I IMMEDIATELY grab my DiGize oil (a Young Living essential oil)! DiGize is formulated with digestive issues in mind, including tarragon oil, ginger oil, peppermint oil and more, this is a powerhouse blend to help move “things” along. When looking to have something on hand that can help your horse with many different digestion issues, I am never without DiGize.

Essential oils work three different ways: aromatically, topically and internally. In these situations, I like to use DiGize on my horses topically and internally as this is the quickest way to get the oil to the root of the problem. This oil blend can be applied anywhere on your horse, but I will go through how I like to apply them. Starting on the horse’s belly button, I put about ten drops on my hand and rub it in. Next, I go down his spine dropping the oil directly, about ten drops,  from the bottle onto his spine. Horses are large animals, you truly cannot give them too much oil. The last place I use this oil is internally. I usually either add ten to fifteen drops in a syringe with some Zesterra or I put the oil directly into their lower lip. I have seen this help a horse in amazing ways!!!

With any horse that is colicky, after applying the DiGize oil I want that horse up and walking. I will try and keep them walking until they have a bowel movement if at all possible. The worst thing you can do is let your horse stay still, this can exacerbate the problem. I also will keep offering the horse as much water as they will drink. If none of this is working, I will call our vet and decide if the horse needs to come in and be evaluated.

colic

Posted in: Featured, Horse Care, Horse Supplies


About Anna Foulger

Hey there! My name is Anna Foulger, I am a young mom of soon to be two; a toddler daughter and little boy on the way! Me and my husband ranch in Eastern Montana with his family and we love every minute! My background is in...

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