What Is Impaction Colic in Horses?

Horses often develop colic, which is the name for a condition that means abdomen pain. There are a lot of varied possible causes for horses developing colic. Some types of colic can be fatal; others are much milder. One common type of horse colic is impaction colic, which is when the horse's intestines become blocked by a firm, thick food mass. The impactions most often happen in the large intestine around the flexures. This is a relatively common colic that can usually be easily treated--though in certain cases, it can be a symptom for a more serious condition.

Impaction colic is generally constipation for horses. The main symptoms and signs of impaction colic include decreased appetite, depression, lower production of manure, and dryer manure in general. Horses are more likely to develop impaction colic during the winter.

Horse owners can help lower the risk of their horses developing impaction colic. Some ways to do this include evaluating the quality of hay the horses are consuming (some hay has more crude fiber, which leads to indigestible bulk and constipation in horses); making sure the horses are drinking enough water and getting enough physical activity; de-worming their horses frequently; and ensuring they receive proper dental care.

There are several reasons that impaction colic can occur in horses' intestines. There are several parts of the large intestine where the colon turns 180 degrees, which can result in very easy blockage. Also, along the colon, the functions vary--and where the colon's diameter lessens, the ingesta consistency can transform from a liquid to a dry state.

Impaction colic occurs in horses with much more frequency during the winter because cold weather makes horses consume less water, which makes the ingestas inside of their colons even drier. The dryness increases the risk of constipation. Also, the fact that there is less grass in the winter causes horses to have drier feces.

There are some signs to check out to see if your horse has impaction colic. These signs include typical colic symptoms such as pawing, appetite loss, rolling, lessened production of manure and smaller, drier feces, lessened consumption of water, and behavioral and attitude changes.