June SmartTip of the Month Presented by SmartPak: Colic Risks

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Understanding common colic risk factors

Colic is a potentially deadly and unfortunately common condition that affects horses of all ages, breeds, and disciplines. In fact, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) estimates 700,000 horses will colic each year in the U.S. alone. With statistics like that, you want to understand what increases the risk and how you can help. Unfortunately, several day-to-day barn events are proven to increase a horse’s risk of colic, including:

• Changes in hay, including switching types or feeding a new cut
• Grain changes, including changes in amount, type or brand
• Sudden changes in exercise or activity level

But with the right care and management, you can support a happy and healthy hindgut. To learn more about the management strategies you can implement to help your horse, check out SmartPak’s Top 5 Tips for Helping Lower Your Horse’s Colic Risk article.

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Staying in the dark about colic and its risk factors

Many riders feel helpless about colic and often think that it’s best to avoid the subject altogether because if they talk about colic, then they’re jinxing their horse. However, staying in the dark is the worst thing you can do because what you don’t know can hurt. You’re not powerless to reduce colic, and the best way to help your horse is to understand the common colic risks, such as the ones listed above, and learn smart management practices to help your horse cope.

To learn more about your horse’s current colic risk level and find out how you can help, visit SmartPak.com/ColicRiskQuiz