Natural colic support

 Colic is one of the most common and potentially life‑threatening emergencies in horses. Understanding the early signs - and knowing exactly what to do - can dramatically improve outcomes. Digest can be used at the first sign of gut discomfort, gas, or bloat to support the digestive system while you monitor closely.

How to Spot Colic Early

•  Early Behaviour Signs (the first clues something is wrong)
• These subtle changes often appear before severe pain:
• Leaving feed or hay untouched
• Repeatedly looking at or biting at the flank
• Pawing with a front foot
• Stretching out as if trying to urinate
• Restlessness, lying down and getting up
• Depression, dullness, or withdrawal
• Standing quietly but with tense facial expression
• Reduced interest in surroundings
• Curling the upper lip (flehmen response)
• Digest fits here: These early signs often indicate gas or spasmodic colic, where Digest can be given immediately to support gut comfort.

Physical Signs You May Notice

• Reduced or absent gut sounds
• Dry or small manure pellets
• Excessive gas or bloating
• Elevated heart rate
• Sweating without exercise
• Tight abdominal muscles
• Changes in breathing pattern
• Fact: Horses have a long, complex digestive tract - more than 30 meters - which makes them uniquely prone to blockages, gas buildup, twists, and motility problems. Digest is designed to support horses experiencing gas, bloat, or early colic behaviours.

What To Do When Your Horse Has Colic

 1. Stay calm and observe carefully

• Your observations help your vet determine severity. Watch for:
• Pawing
• Flank‑watching
• Stretching out
• Rolling
• Not eating
• Reduced manure
• Sweating
• Changes in breathing
• Digest fits here: If your horse is showing mild, early signs, Digest can be given while you continue monitoring.
• Fact: Horses in severe pain may alternate between frantic behaviour and sudden quietness - the “quiet phase” can indicate exhaustion or a serious twist.

2. Remove all feed immediately

Take away:

• Hay
• Grain
• Treats
• Grass
• Water stays available.
• Fact: Feeding during colic can worsen impactions or gas buildup. Digest supports gut comfort while the digestive system settles.

3. Check vital signs (if safe)

• Heart rate: normal 28-44 bpm; ≥60 bpm = urgent
• Gut sounds: quiet or absent = danger
• Gum colour: pale, purple, or brick red = emergency
• Respiration rate: elevated breathing indicates pain or shock
• Capillary refill time: >2 seconds suggests dehydration or poor circulation
• Fact: Heart rate is the single most important indicator of colic severity. Digest is appropriate only for mild signs - anything moderate or severe requires a vet.

4. Call your vet for moderate or severe signs

• Call immediately if you see:
• Repeated rolling
• Sweating
• No manure
• Dry, small manure
• High heart rate
• Distended belly
• Horse suddenly becomes quiet after severe pain
• Rapid breathing
• Dark or toxic gum colour
• Early intervention saves lives. Digest may still be used as supportive care while waiting for your vet, but never replaces veterinary treatment.

5. Keep the horse in a safe area

Move them to:

• A paddock
• A large box
• Away from fences, concrete, or sharp objects
• Fact: Horses in pain can thrash violently - protecting both horse and handler is essential.

6. Gentle walking ONLY if needed

Walk the horse only if:

• They are trying to roll violently
• You need to keep them safe
• Do NOT force walking if they are calm.
• Fact: Forced walking can worsen certain types of colic, especially twists or displacements.

7. Encourage drinking

Offer:

• Fresh water
• Slightly warm water (many horses prefer it)
• Electrolyte water if advised by your vet
• Hydration supports gut motility. Digest can be repeated during this stage for ongoing gut comfort.

8. Monitor every 15-30 minutes

Track:

• Pain level
• Manure output
• Gut sounds
• Heart rate
• Behaviour changes
• If anything worsens → call the vet immediately.
• Digest fits here: Can be repeated while monitoring mild cases that are improving.

9. Follow your vet’s instructions

• Your vet may advise:
• Monitoring
• Walking
• Withholding feed
• Administering medications
• Bringing the horse in for tubing or fluids
• Hospitalisation for severe cases
• Stay in communication until the horse is stable. Digest may be used alongside vet care for comfort and recovery.

10. Aftercare once colic resolves

• Reintroduce feed slowly
• Start with soaked hay
• Monitor manure
• Check hydration
• Review diet, stress, water access, and parasite control
• Evaluate dental health
• Consider gut‑support supplements
• Digest fits here: Useful during recovery to support gut comfort as the digestive system returns to normal.
• Fact: Horses who have had colic once are statistically more likely to colic again - prevention matters.

What NOT to Do During Colic

• No feed
• No forced walking
• No waiting to “see if it passes”
• No pain meds without vet approval
• No trailering unless instructed
• No leaving them alone
• No assuming mild signs mean mild colic
• No forcing water
• No ignoring manure changes
• No celebrating too early if they suddenly go quiet
• Fact: A horse that becomes suddenly quiet after severe pain may be entering shock - this is an emergency. Digest is only for mild signs - anything more requires a vet.

Common Causes of Colic

• Sudden feed changes
• Dehydration
• Parasites
• Poor dental condition
• Lack of movement
• Sand ingestion
• Rich spring grass
• Toxins (mouldy feed, poisonous plants)
• Stress
• Gut inflammation
• Twists or displacements
• Weather changes
• Ulcers
• High‑sugar diets
• Inadequate salt intake
• Fact: Horses produce stomach acid 24/7 - long periods without forage dramatically increase ulcer risk, which can lead to colic. Digest supports horses during feed changes, grass flushes, and gut sensitivity.

Quick Prevention Checklist

• Consistent diet
• Clean water always
• Regular dental care
• Daily movement
• Targeted worming
• Manage grass intake
• Reduce stress
• Avoid spoiled feed
• Support gut health
• Monitor manure
• Adjust feed and water for weather
• Provide adequate salt
• Avoid sudden changes in routine
• Digest fits here: Useful for horses prone to gas, bloat, grass‑affected tummies, or sensitivity during feed changes.
• Fact: Most colic cases are preventable with good management, hydration, and consistent feeding practices.