Are you fast at spotting colic in your pony? How fast are your reactions?
There are lots of misconceptions about colic in horses and this could cause unintentional delays in arranging for care and treatment when colic does strike. Horses recover fast and completely if they receive immediate treatment. As a pony owner, it befalls you to be completely familiar with all the signs of colic and to be prepared for it at any time in the slightest. You can play a no-risk, very effective game by following the steps detailed below if you suspect colic:
1. Contact your vet immediately. Get his advice on what to do and comply.
2. Keep cool and calm. Taking some deep breaths gets you focused. You aren't going to be of much help to your stricken horse if you're jumping around like a cat on hot bricks. Just keep in mind that colic can be serious, but unless in an exceedingly extreme stage, it's not a killer.
3. Dispose of all hay and grain in the immediate area of your horse.
4. If you understand how to, monitor and note down your horse's vital signs once in 5 minutes. While your notes can be of great assistance to your veterinarian, don't get upset if you can not do it. It is handy but not a life-saving requirement.
5. Leave your horse alone if she seems to be calm. Groom her gently with a curry or massage her if you can do it without causing distress. Beware of kicks and bites because she could be tender. When soothing hurting animals, including humans, remember the golden rule: if they don't want it, don't do it!
6. Try taking your pony out for a walk if she looks to be awfully restless. A walk may keep her thoughts off her pain and also assist in moving gas or other obstructions. Leave the pace to your pony. Whatever speed she appears to want to set, let her do so. In everything you do, target decreasing of stress and increase of comfort for your pony.
7. Do not restrain your horse in any manner whatsoever, whether with cross ties or otherwise. You'll just panic her, leading to injury to either or both of you. Never forget you are handling a horse in pain.
8. Try your absolute best to stop your pony from rolling on the ground, if she attempts to. She may cause harm to herself, especially by amplifying her colic. However , don't make attempts to stop her at the risk of injury to yourself or others.
9. Keep your horse safe from injury. Remove all objects that might cut or harm her from her vicinity. Line her stall walls with bales of hay to stop her from injuring herself.
10. You've no choice if you are alone, but if you can call on the help of others, do so. It'd be a real relief to have someone hold your pony while you are grooming her or checking for vital signs.
And more than anything else, remain positive.
These are some other tips. There is no verifiable scientific proof for this, but some horses do seem to feel better when they're listening to soft music. You can try out all of the genres of music that could be classified as soft and see what your horse appears to like best.
Rather like humans, some horses feel better when there's company around, but some appear to prefer to be left alone. If your horse is of the company-seeking type, let her hobnob a bit with her pasture mates, if there are any.
So far as water is concerned, it's much better to be safe than to be sorry, and therefore unless you have express contrary instructions from your vet, it is better to get rid of all water from around your pony.
There are lots of misconceptions about colic in horses and this could cause unintentional delays in arranging for care and treatment when colic does strike. Horses recover fast and completely if they receive immediate treatment. As a pony owner, it befalls you to be completely familiar with all the signs of colic and to be prepared for it at any time in the slightest. You can play a no-risk, very effective game by following the steps detailed below if you suspect colic:
1. Contact your vet immediately. Get his advice on what to do and comply.
2. Keep cool and calm. Taking some deep breaths gets you focused. You aren't going to be of much help to your stricken horse if you're jumping around like a cat on hot bricks. Just keep in mind that colic can be serious, but unless in an exceedingly extreme stage, it's not a killer.
3. Dispose of all hay and grain in the immediate area of your horse.
4. If you understand how to, monitor and note down your horse's vital signs once in 5 minutes. While your notes can be of great assistance to your veterinarian, don't get upset if you can not do it. It is handy but not a life-saving requirement.
5. Leave your horse alone if she seems to be calm. Groom her gently with a curry or massage her if you can do it without causing distress. Beware of kicks and bites because she could be tender. When soothing hurting animals, including humans, remember the golden rule: if they don't want it, don't do it!
6. Try taking your pony out for a walk if she looks to be awfully restless. A walk may keep her thoughts off her pain and also assist in moving gas or other obstructions. Leave the pace to your pony. Whatever speed she appears to want to set, let her do so. In everything you do, target decreasing of stress and increase of comfort for your pony.
7. Do not restrain your horse in any manner whatsoever, whether with cross ties or otherwise. You'll just panic her, leading to injury to either or both of you. Never forget you are handling a horse in pain.
8. Try your absolute best to stop your pony from rolling on the ground, if she attempts to. She may cause harm to herself, especially by amplifying her colic. However , don't make attempts to stop her at the risk of injury to yourself or others.
9. Keep your horse safe from injury. Remove all objects that might cut or harm her from her vicinity. Line her stall walls with bales of hay to stop her from injuring herself.
10. You've no choice if you are alone, but if you can call on the help of others, do so. It'd be a real relief to have someone hold your pony while you are grooming her or checking for vital signs.
And more than anything else, remain positive.
These are some other tips. There is no verifiable scientific proof for this, but some horses do seem to feel better when they're listening to soft music. You can try out all of the genres of music that could be classified as soft and see what your horse appears to like best.
Rather like humans, some horses feel better when there's company around, but some appear to prefer to be left alone. If your horse is of the company-seeking type, let her hobnob a bit with her pasture mates, if there are any.
So far as water is concerned, it's much better to be safe than to be sorry, and therefore unless you have express contrary instructions from your vet, it is better to get rid of all water from around your pony.
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers visit HorseHorses
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