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Re: [RC] Weather Change Colic - heidiTheory: Weather goes from hot to cool or cold. Even working, horses not as thirsty. Drinking goes down. Hind gut gets dry as body uses up the water, due in part to decreased intake. = Colic. Vets (many I have spoken with) say the # of Colic's increases in September.....Sudden Weather changes to the cooler? I try to add VERY WET beet pulp at that time, Just to add moisture when they might slow down their drinking. JMHO.... Becky and the gang Becky and others who have mentioned weather are likely right on the money on this one. Even WITHOUT being ridden, the weather changes that we see in the fall are usually accompanied by an increase in the number of colics. And yep, Becky is right that the horses simply have an abrupt change in their drinking pattern. Steph mentioned cold water--on cold days, this can be an issue that contributes considerably. They don't seem to mind the cold water as much when it is really hot out, but studies of winter water consumption have pretty clearly shown that simply raising the water temperature will greatly increase consumption of water in cold weather. Impaction could certainly cause some reflux if the entire gut has slowed down--although like Angie, if there is very much reflux, I'd also be curious to know if the horses are on daily dewormer, and if the attending vets felt that the reflux was due to anterior enteritis or to impaction. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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