Grain feed and colic

[Elvengirl]

Well, just got home from the most stressful night of my life. My horse colicked in the night and was so bad he had to be taken to hospital and was prepped for surgery when he suddenly "got better". So he is ok so far and I hope it stays that way.

I was worried something bad was going to happen last night too because the barn workers have been bringing in the horses rather late and it's really bothering me. Lessons start at 5:30 and they bring in the horses at 5 to eat. So yesturday my horse ate a huge load of grain and barely any hay and then had a lesson. I honestly think this is why he colicked, but when I told the YO how I felt she said that it doesn't matter and that he couldn't colic from eating grain and then excersizing shortly afterwards. Is that true?

Also I am concerned about it regardless of the colic episode because doesn't that mean he won't digest his grain properly and make use of the extra energy and fats that he needs (he is NOT an easy keeper). What should I do in this situation? I suppose I could come out and bring him in myself everyday, and wouldn't mind, but I do PAY the workers to bring in my horse, therefore shouldn't he be brought in when I want him to be?

What do you guys think? I feel like I am just being grumpy because I've had a very stressful night and day, but I also am feeling that little twinge of doubt. Some reassurance needed!

[jUmPingIsLifE]

being worked shortly after being grained or eating grain shortly after being worked can result in colic i have heard, i have never seen it be a problem before i had heard of it i would feed after comming home from riding Autumn. However i learned of this and started waiting to feed. the summer camp i work at any horse used before dinner time has their grain set outside and we wait to feed them until after our dinner so they have a chance to fully cool down before being fed grain.

in a way maybe your horse should be brough in when you want but at the same time barns have a routine that they tend to follow strictly and thats the way things are really done and they dont usually change it for boarders because it kind of throws off their routine.

[Elvengirl]

I totally agree, as I have worked at the barn myself..hence why I am worried about saying anything because I don't want to be annoying. I forgot to mention that they have just started bringing them it at this time and the YO says it is because the days are longer. The funny thing is, they have never done this in the 4 years I have been riding/working there and the latest they were ever brought in was, during the summer, 4:30. 4:30 and 5 is a big difference in convenience for me, and it's not like it's been a routine practice. If it was, we would be scheduling lessons for 6 instead.

Maybe I could just ask them to set his grain aside on my lessons days and give it to him after the lesson? That way he can have some hay before his lesson but not a big grain feed. What do you think?

[galadriel]

If you have them set aside the whole thng, and he gets none while the other horses get fed, he may *stress* himself enough that it'll have the same effect anyway. You could ask them to give him only a little grain with the hay, though, so he feels like he's been fed.

That's a tactic I've taken in the past when I wanted to work a horse too close to regular feeding times. It's worked fine for me.

[Elvengirl]

That sounds like a great idea, thanks! I'm feeling a lot better today about the whole situation. It's amazing what stress can do to your mind! :o :D

[galadriel]

I'm feeling a lot better today about the whole situation.

Oh good!

A colicking horse is such a terrifying experience...as an owner or rider, we don't know enough to know how bad the colic is, or what's causing it. Colic can result in a horse who's miserable for a few hours, or colic can be so bad it requires surgery (dangerous and not all horses make it) or even having the horse put down. Yours was being prepped for surgery--that's really scary and nerve-wracking. You had every right to be upset and stressed.

Glad you're feeling better now, though, and that you've got more of a grip on what's going on with your horse. Good luck convincing the manager/staff that it IS important not to feed a lot just before you ride.