Horse Colic and what to do before calling the vet!

Josh Ewing introduces the topic of colic, a common stomach ache in horses, which is the leading cause of death among them. He explains the unique digestive system of horses and how it can be affected by man-made environments. Ewing emphasizes the importance of prevention, including avoiding overuse of concentrates and moldy hay, and preventing horses from eating bark. He also outlines the importance of early detection and treatment of colic by recognizing signs and symptoms. The video will cover different types of colic, starting with gas colic, which causes intense pain and can lead to more serious conditions if not addressed.

The video script discusses the importance of early detection in treating colic, with a focus on identifying signs and symptoms. It describes the behavior of horses suffering from gas colic, such as stretching, lying down, and rolling to alleviate pain. Ewing shares a personal experience with a horse named Bronco who showed colic symptoms. The response to colic involves checking vital signs, which Ewing suggests keeping recorded for reference. He explains the normal ranges for these signs and how to monitor them, including capillary refill time, mucous membranes, temperature, pulse, gut sounds, and respiration rate, advocating for regular practice to understand what's normal for each horse.

This paragraph delves deeper into how to monitor a horse's vital signs, starting with checking the respiration rate at the horse's flank, ensuring it falls within the normal range of 10 to 24 breaths per minute. Ewing demonstrates how to use a stopwatch to accurately count breaths and mentions the importance of checking this when the horse is at rest. He then explains how to correctly measure the horse's temperature, emphasizing the need for proper insertion and timing to avoid inaccurate readings. The pulse is the next vital sign discussed, with a focus on finding the right spot under the mandible and counting the beats per minute, which should be within the range of 28 to 44.

The script continues with instructions on checking for gut sounds, an essential sign of a healthy horse, and what to do if they are absent, which could indicate colic. Ewing describes the proper way to listen for gut sounds and the expected frequency. The final vital signs to check are the capillary refill time and the condition of the mucous membranes. He advises checking the gums for color and moisture, ensuring they are pink and not dry or discolored. Ewing wraps up by summarizing the importance of recognizing colic, identifying its types, and checking vital signs as the first step in response. He also stresses the importance of consulting a vet for a professional opinion and shares his personal approach to dealing with colic in horses.