Smart, natural ways to safeguard your horse’s gut—and your peace of mind
Dr. G on the trails with Ranger
If you’ve spent any time around horses, you’ve probably heard the word “colic” whispered like a curse.
And rightly so. Colic is the leading cause of death in horses¹—more feared than lameness, founder, or even infectious disease. But here's the truth: while not every case is preventable, many are. And with the right knowledge and daily practices, you can significantly lower the risk of a gut emergency.
Let’s break it down.
🧠 First, What Is Colic?
Colic isn’t a disease—it’s a symptom.
It simply means abdominal pain, and it can show up as restlessness, pawing, rolling, looking at the flanks, or refusing food. Some cases are mild, while others escalate into full-blown surgical emergencies.²
Because a horse’s digestive system is both complex and delicate (thank you, 80 feet of intestine in one body), gut issues can spiral fast. That’s why prevention is your best defense.
💡 10 Ways to Reduce Your Horse’s Risk of Colic
Think of this as your stable's gut-health checklist—a mix of commonsense wisdom and often-overlooked details that can make all the difference.
Best Barn Buddies: Sundown & Ranger
1. Stick to a Routine
Horses thrive on predictability. Feed and turn out your horse on a consistent schedule—even small deviations can stress their system.
2. Let Forage Be the Foundation
Hay should be the cornerstone of every horse’s diet. It’s what their bodies are built to process. High-quality, mold-free roughage supports consistent digestion, healthy gut flora, and happy colons.³
3. Ration the Grain
Grain overload is a fast track to gut disruption. If your horse needs concentrate, make sure it’s no more than half (ideally far less) of their total caloric intake. The bulk should still come from forage.⁴
4. Divide and Conquer
Feed concentrates in smaller meals, at least twice daily. Big, single feedings overwhelm the GI tract. Hay, on the other hand, is best fed free-choice to mimic natural grazing.
5. Control Parasites—Strategically
Internal parasites can wreak havoc on the digestive tract. Work with your equine vet to create a deworming schedule based on fecal egg counts—not just the calendar.⁵
6. Hydration = Gut Health
Fresh, clean water should always be available. Dehydration slows gut motility and increases impaction risk. In winter, consider warming water to encourage drinking.⁶
7. Watch the Ground
Feeding on sandy soil? Use feeders, mats, or hay nets to avoid ingestion of sand, which can accumulate in the gut and cause serious issues.⁷
8. Protect Them From Stress
Trailering, shows, new barns—it all takes a toll. Stress changes gut motility and microbial balance.⁸ Transition routines, feeding schedules, and turnout gradually when possible.
9. Peristalsis Is Everything
Your horse’s GI tract relies on rhythmic contractions (peristalsis) to move food through the system.⁹ Sluggish motility = higher colic risk. Keep it flowing with hydration, movement, and targeted support.
10. Scan for Toxins
Regularly check hay, pasture, and bedding for harmful substances—like blister beetles, mold, or poisonous plants. Prevention starts before the feed even hits the bucket.
You can’t control everything, but you can control a lot. Prevention isn’t just good care—it’s peace of mind.
🌿 A Natural Ally for Colic Prevention: Equine Colic Relief
Even with excellent care, some horses remain prone to gut disturbances. That’s why I formulated my new Equine Colic Relief bioformula: a gentle, non-pharmaceutical remedy that supports the digestive system before problems arise.
This unique formula works by:
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Enhancing intestinal motility
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Supporting healthy peristalsis
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Assisting in the prevention of simple, non-surgical colic
🧪 What’s Inside?
Gemmotherapy:
- Prim Wort Shoots (Ligustrum vulgare): These young plant shoots support the drainage of intestinal mucus membranes, helping to keep the gut well-lubricated, protected from outside invaders, and functioning smoothly for healthy digestion.
- Rosemary shoots (Rosmarinus officinalis): Supports liver detox; eases spasms
- Wine Berry shoots (Vaccinium vitis idaea): Stimulates the intestines; enhances pelvic organ function¹⁰
Lithotherapy:
- Pink Sandstone: Supports optimal manure formation and consistency¹¹
Organotherapy:
- Large Intestine extract (potentized): Promotes healthy peristaltic contractions for smooth, regular bowel movements¹²
🐴 Prevention with Purpose
A healthy gut is the cornerstone of a healthy horse and Dr. Garber’s Equine Colic Relief bioformula offers a proactive, natural approach to support the equine digestive system.
👉 Use daily in horses prone to colic or during times of stress, travel, or dietary change.
Because when it comes to colic, the best-case scenario is never needing to treat it at all.
Chowin' down.
Ready to support your horse’s gut, naturally?
Explore Dr. Garber’s Equine Colic Relief bioformula and give your horse the gut support they deserve.
For serious or acute colic symptoms, always call your veterinarian immediately. No supplement replaces emergency care.
🔍 Sources
¹ American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). “10 Tips for Preventing Colic.” https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/10_Tips_for_Preventing_Colic.pdf
² The Merck Veterinary Manual. "Overview of Colic in Horses." https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/colic-in-horses/overview-of-colic-in-horses
³ University of Minnesota Extension. “Forage First Horse Diets.” https://extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/forage-first-horse-diets
⁴ MadBarn. “How to Review & Optimize Your Horse’s Diet.” https://madbarn.com/equine-diet-review
⁵ AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines. “Internal Parasite Control in Horses.” https://aaep.org/guidelines/internal-parasite-control
⁶ The Horse. “Managing Your Horse’s Water Intake in Cold Weather.” https://thehorse.com/1124559/managing-your-horses-water-intake-in-cold-weather
⁷ The Merck Veterinary Manual. “Sand Enteropathy in Horses.” https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/miscellaneous-intestinal-diseases-in-horses/sand-enteropathy-in-horses
⁸ Santos, T. C., et al. (2020). “Effects of transport stress on behavior and gastric ulceration in horses.” Animals, 10(2), 293. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32009244/
⁹ Al-Tamimi, D. M., et al. (2023). “Understanding and managing equine gastrointestinal motility disorders.” Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10446712
¹⁰ Bergeret, C., & Tétau, M. (1991). Gemmotherapy: Therapeutic Use of Embryonic Plant Extracts. Boiron Laboratories.
¹¹ Muller, Marie-France, MD, ND, PhD - Colloidal Minerals and Trace Elements: How to Restore the Body's Natural Vitality. 2005, Inner Traditions / Bear & Company, Rochester, Vermont, USA.
¹² Rozencwajg, Joe, NMD - Organotherapy, Drainage & Detoxification. 2010, Emryss Publishers, Haarlem, Netherlands.
