Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Comparison of age, sex, breed, history and management in 229 horses with colic.
Abstract: A study, at a university in south eastern USA, aimed to determine whether age, sex, breed, management and history differed in colic cases. A detailed history was obtained for 229 horses between January 1987 and June 1988. Causes for colic determined by clinical examination, exploratory laparotomy and/or necropsy included: gastric rupture (GR, 6); ileal impaction (II, 17); small intestinal strangulating obstruction (SIO, 22); proximal enteritis (PE, 16); transient small intestinal distension (TSID, 18); large colon displacement (LCD, 52); large colon impaction (LCI, 34); colitis (8); small colon obstruction (SCO, 7); peritonitis (7); and unknown (42). Prevalence of age, sex, breed and use, type and amount of grain and roughage fed, supplement feeding, diet change within 30 days, stocking density, deworming rate and routine, and previous colic were determined in each category and compared by multiple regression and chi-square analysis (P < 0.05). The PE group included a greater proportion of horses aged five to 10 years (68.8 per cent) and stallions (37.5 per cent) than other categories. Most horses with II were under five years. Horses under one year were most prevalent in SIO (22.7 per cent) and SCO (28.6 per cent), and those of 15 years or more were most prevalent in SCO (57.1 per cent) and GR (50 per cent). Quarterhorses comprised 48.1 per cent of the LCD group and there was a high incidence of Arabians in groups with II (29.4 per cent) and TSID (27.8 per cent). Pelleted grain was associated with LCD. Prevalence of Bermuda grass hay feeding was less in PE and SCO groups, and pelleted roughage was associated with LCI. Showing and racing/training the day before colic were associated with LCD and LCI, respectively. There was no dietary association with II development and no correlation between use, amount of grain or hay fed, type of pasture, deworming or history of previous colic and various causes for colic.
Publication Date: 1989-06-01 PubMed ID: 9118095DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb05672.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research aimed at determining the relationship between horse characteristics and management practices, such as breed, age, diet, and activity, in appearing cases of colic disorders. It analyzed 229 cases of colic in horses and evaluated various factors contributing to different types of colic.
Research Methodology
- The study was conducted at a university in the south-eastern part of the USA and covered the period from January 1987 to June 1988.
- Comprehensive histories of 229 horses with colic were compiled and analyzed.
- Reasons for colic were determined through clinical examination, exploratory laparotomy, or necropsy. The types of colics studied included gastric rupture, ileal impaction, small intestinal strangulating obstruction, proximal enteritis, transient small intestinal distension, large colon displacement, large colon impaction, colitis, small colon obstruction, peritonitis, and unknown.
- Various factors like horse’s age, sex, breed, usage, their diet consisting of type and amount of grain and roughage, any supplement intake, changes in diet past month, rate and routine of deworming, and previous colic history were considered and compared. Multiple regression and chi-square analysis was used to understand the significance of these factors.
Observations
- In the study, it was observed that the proximal enteritis group had a higher frequency of horses aged between five to 10 years and stallions.
- Horses younger than five years were mostly associated with ileal impaction.
- Both small intestinal strangulating obstruction and small colon obstruction were more common in horses younger than one year, while old horses aged 15 years or more were associated more with small colon obstruction and gastric rupture.
- Breed also played a role, with Quarterhorses forming 48.1% of the large colon displacement group and Arabians being common in ileal impaction and transient small intestinal distension groups.
Association with Feeding and Activities
- Pelleted grain was found to be associated with large colon displacement, whereas pelleted roughage was linked with large colon impaction.
- Bermuda grass hay feeding was less in proximal enteritis and small colon obstruction groups.
- Horses involved in showing and racing/training the day before colic were associated with large colon displacement and large colon impaction, respectively.
Non-Associations
- The study did not find a dietary association with ileal impaction development.
- There was not any correlation between use, amount of grain or hay fed, type of pasture, deworming, or history of previous colic and various causes for colic.
The research highlighted the role of factors like age, sex, breed, dietary patterns, and activities in the development of different types of colic in horses, while also indicating the non-association of certain factors like past diet, deworming, and such with causes of colic.
Cite This Article
APA
Morris DD, Moore JN, Ward S.
(1989).
Comparison of age, sex, breed, history and management in 229 horses with colic.
Equine Vet J Suppl(7), 129-132.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1989.tb05672.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Breeding
- Colic / epidemiology
- Colic / etiology
- Colic / veterinary
- Colitis / complications
- Colitis / physiopathology
- Colitis / veterinary
- Diet / veterinary
- Enteritis / complications
- Enteritis / physiopathology
- Enteritis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Intestinal Obstruction / complications
- Intestinal Obstruction / physiopathology
- Intestinal Obstruction / veterinary
- Male
- Prevalence
- Regression Analysis
- Sex Characteristics
- Southeastern United States / epidemiology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Muñoz-Prieto A, Escribano D, Contreras-Aguilar MD, Horvatić A, Guillemin N, Jacobsen S, Cerón JJ, Mrljak V. Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) Proteomic Analysis of Saliva in Horses with Acute Abdominal Disease. Animals (Basel) 2021 Apr 30;11(5).
- Voss JK, Dubois MS. Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt. Can Vet J 2021 Feb;62(2):179-183.
- Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
- Walker WT, Callan RJ, Hill AE, Tisher KB. Effects of oral powder electrolyte administration on packed cell volume, plasma chemistry parameters, and incidence of colic in horses participating in a 6-day 162-km trail ride. Can Vet J 2014 Aug;55(8):765-71.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
