Colic Cures: Quick! Pass the Whiskey

One thing you should always have on hand at the barn is a bottle of whiskey.

And, no, it is not for you…

Get ready to learn the Lally family's best-kept colic-killing secret!

Anatomy of a horse's stomach

Colic is a common equine disorder of the stomach, and is concerned with digestive difficulty. 

Horses are monogastric, which means their esophagus does not allow food to travel back up once the food reaches the stomach (simply, horses are incapable of vomiting).  Because of this, the horse’s small intestine does not perform functions that are seen in other mammals. 

10% of horses experience colic in their lifetime, and the rates differ from breed to breed. If your horse experiences colic during a busy day for your vet, you must know what to do on your own. Most of the time, the direct cause of colic is unknown, but it is usually due to diet or stress.

How Do I Know My Horse Is Experiencing Stomach Colic?

The unspoken communication between horse and owner is both a blessing and a curse.  Unfortunately, horses cannot “tell” us when they are experiencing a stomach ache, but an observant caretaker can easily tell when something is amiss. There are many different types of equine colic, and you should be familiar with each kind so that you can ask your vet about a possible diagnosis. For our purposes, we will focus on Impaction colic and Spasmodic colic so that you can understand and identify the range in severity.

            Symptoms of Impaction Colic (severe):

1. Pawing
2. Inability to defecate
3. A layer of sweat
4. Kicking or sniffing the stomach/flank
5. Absence of gut noises
6. Excessive rolling and attempts to lie down
7. Lethargic appearance/ low neck and head
8. Loss of appetite
9. Temperature drop (pain response) 
10. Requires professional medical attention

Symptoms of Gas/Spasmodic Colic (less severe):

1. Restlessness
2. Unusually loud gut sounds
3. Sweating
4. Attempts to roll
5. Pale gums
6. Usually works out of your horse's system with time

Immediate Remedies:

If you suspect your horse is experiencing colic, call your vet immediately!

When it comes to medicating a colicing horse immediately, I have 2 go-to resources:

1.  2 oz Whiskey and 1 tsp. Sodium Bicarbonate: This Concoction has been in my family for four generations, and has pulled countless horses away from the grip of colic. This dynamic duo has become famous in the horse industry, and is a need-to-know "cheat" wen it comes to horse health. Be aware, this will NOT treat a horse in the long term! this should be used in emergency situations when there is no professional help on hand
2. Banamine: Flunixin meglumine in injectable solution form (you should be comfortable giving your horse a shot) that can be administered to colicing horses. Banamine is an anti-inflammatory drug aimed to alleviate visceral pain.

The Secret Recipe

Preventative Measures:

I cannot stress enough the importance of probiotics! Just like humans, sometimes a horse’s stomach needs extra help to stay regular and healthy. Look for a brand that is horse-friendly, or includes bacteria taken from a horse’s stomach. It is imperative to give your horse probiotics during weather changes or if you plan on taking your horse on a long trip.

Ulcer Guard Equine Stomach Medication

If you suspect your horse may have stomach ulcers—another major cause of persistent colic—consider getting your horse a gastric scope to diagnose the issue. 

If your horse is susceptible to colic, try feeding smaller portions more frequently throughout the day, as opposed to one large meal, Additionally, make sure your horse has access to a salt block and water throughout the day.

Consider investing in professional medications for your horse. A horse’s stomach is incredibly sensitive, and it is important to keep them healthy and strong.


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