For those who have performance colic prone horses

[dalpal]

My mare is 8...during her lifetime she has had three colics..first one we took her to the table for displacement in 2004, second one happened last August..displaced again, but with drugs and meds, she was able to get over it without surgery (which makes me wonder if she "might" have gotten through it the first time, but we'll never know). Two days ago, I was giving her one of her meals (she gets 2 pounds of Blue Seal Vintage Performance LS broken up into four meals...0.5 pound per feeding)....After she ate...she laid down in her stall. I knew immediately what was getting ready to happen and called the vet.

Vet got there within 30 minutes (I have to say that Apex Vet in NC is just downright awesome to work with, including their prices) we did the normal colic routine..but this time I popped her with a tube of ulcer guard and after resting in her stall for an hour, we opted to put her out in a grassy (not rich, but grassy) paddock for the rest of the day....no grain or hay..but grass and water...this time she pulled herself through without having to go to any hospital.

Now I'm wondering if I should find a different feeding regiment for this horse altogether and just do away with all grain in her diet....

This horse is not a powder puff...I work her about 5-6 days a week, she's doing 2nd/3rd level dressage work and a little bit more on some days.

So I am curious if anyone can give me advice on feeding regiments for those horses who are in moderate/heavy work but shouldn't have grain.

I'm not a huge fan of the Progressive Products...I've used their ration balancer before..and I think my horses look better on the Blue Seal.

Here's what I was thinking..would love input.....

LinPro for my vitamins and minerals
rice bran
alfalfa cubes
beet pulp

She is an easy keeper, and I admit, she could lose a few pounds....but I'm more worried about making sure she gets the right amount of vitamins, etc for her work load. OR would you keep her on the Vintage LS considering she hasn't colicked in almost a year???

HELP please.

Edited to add.....her sire died last year of colic at age 17...so I do think we have a genetic predisposition possibly????

[Pat Ness]

Daily probiotics. It is inexpensive and has stopped gas colic from 2 horses I know. One of which had gone through colic surgery prior to starting on daily probiotics.

[dwblover]

My horses blossomed beautifully on the diet you are suggesting. They got a balanced vit/min supplement, alfalfa cubes, beet pulp, and 1/2 cup of corn oil (fat like the rice bran you want to use). I was amazed how awesome they looked, how much muscle they gained, etc. One of the two is a young OTTB who works hard four to five days per week doing dressage/lower level jumping. Their coats looked great and they maintained their weight on less of this "soup" than I had imagined it would take. The only reason I am not feeding that now is we moved to a full care boarding facility. So I would say go for it, and I would also strongly suggest smartpak's Smartdigest Ultra.

[sublimequine]

Does the horse have access to forage at all times, whether that's grass or hay? I really think that's a HUGE part of keeping a colic prone horse healthy. My mare has a real sensitive stomach, and it seems like as long as I keep her on free fed forage 24/7, she's happy.

[pintopiaffe]

The genetics is always something I've questioned. My mare's sire died at 3 of twisted gut. Mare died at 8. Now--having said that, mare was 5 weeks post-foaling, 2nd foal in a row, (exactly 11 mos apart--foal heat breeding) 3rd total. So while she was a couple days out, hers most likely was a post partum twist, which isn't uncommon.

I love and use the diet you've laid out on everyone here. I add oil to it. I like 1/2 to 1c of oil per horse/per day--the high amount in the cold/winter. It works for me and my horses, and I feel like it does help keep things moving along nicely. ;) I add oats for calories for those who need. (and the one who can't have 'falf.)

I also agree a pre-and-probiotic would be a good addition. My faves are DynaPro and Ration Plus, which are very similar, but I also use Diamond V XP yeast which does the job nicely as well.

My remedy at the very first sign of an upset tummy is 30cc of Probiotics (DynaPro or Ration Plus preferred, Probios in a pinch) and 30cc of Electrolytes (DynaSpark preferred, OTC Jug or similar otherwise) dosed orally. It works fabulously, but does not mask any symptoms. I also use a similar dose, broken up in beep feedings, prophylactically during stressful situations--trailering, showing, and the drastic (60 degrees one time!) temp changes we can get. I'm not a vet, don't play one on TV, but this has worked for me every time but the twist... the twist is the only colic I've ever had that required the vet, and obviously nothing would have helped that--it was incredibly fast, about 2 hrs from first sign to death. <knocking wood MADLY>

My stallion routinely travels 5 hrs each way, takes a generally stressful lesson in the middle, and can deal with fairly large temperature changes during that 18 hrs or so... and I swear by the preventive doses.

[TheOrangeOne]

My guy eats beet pulp, rice bran, barley, and oil. He also gets the theracell supplements. I think just plain whole foods are easier on their stomach than all the chemicals in processed things. When I am sick, I want plain food, not a twinkie. Similarly, plain food will rarely cause me to feel unwell, but sugar? That'll do it. There's an article outlining a program on www.theracelleq.com and my horse is on there under testimonials, if you want to read some about colic and the program.

[dalpal]

Thanks guys.

For the forage question...yes, she has access to grass (although not an abundance) 12 to 15 hours per day and free choice hay in her stall at all times while she is in.

I agree about sugar.....the Blue Seal is 17 percent NSC..which I have loved.

Ya'll are making me feel better about my thoughts. So I think I will go with my idea and add the pre and pro boitics.

BUT Wait...Oh, I forgot to mention that I do have her on tractguard and Omega Horseshine along with her Blue Seal.

Her current diet is 2 pounds of the Blue Seal Vintage LS, 2 pounds of alfalfa cubes, 2 pounds beet pulp, 1 cup Omega Horseshine, 2 scoops of Tractguard. And does have access to forage/hay at all times.

[grayarabpony]

Do the vets think it would help if she was out 24/7? Is that an option where you board?

[dalpal]

Do the vets think it would help if she was out 24/7? Is that an option where you board?

No, I asked a few months back if I could pasture board and was told no. :( I've also been keeping an eye out for another place, but so far, I haven't found anything that works for me.