Comparison of age, sex, breed, history and management in 229 horses with colic.

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.