Colic is one problem that both humans and horses share. But unlike with babies, of which colic is just an incidental problem that will go away after a few months; colic in horses is a serious problem that need to be addressed immediately.
Baby cramps
Colic is a problem with the digestive system that makes the stomach or abdomen hurt. Up to now, no one knows why this happens to babies. Experts believe that colic arises from the gas in the intestines. Colic can start as early as three weeks old in babies.
First, the baby will cry and scream a lot, which can last anywhere from an hour to five hours straight. It's highest in the second month and lowest in the third. By the end of the fourth month, incidents of colic will just cease.
And though there is really not much danger that colic poses to babies, parents are still worried because of the amount of crying that it can ensue. Because there is no known cause, there is also no specific cure or solution. In fact, all parents can do is try to make their child's colic as comfortable as possible. This is done by putting babies in comfortable positions like in swaddling, walking them or making them listen to some soothing music. Parents shouldn't feed them too much, since that will only make the problem worse.
Horse colic
Horse colic is not the same as human colic. Colic in horses is a serious problem that can happen at any age or time. Horses also respond in the same way. They will also cry, moan, jump around, and kick all over the place. When the pain is really bad, they can even get so crazy that they will put themselves in hard, almost unnatural positions just to feel better.
But people who own horses should keep in mind that colic in horses starts in a very different way. In humans, pain is easy to feel and shows itself through crying. Horses, on the other hand, will deal with it on their own by getting lazy and losing energy.
They will start to turn down food and won't want to eat at all. When dealing with colic, this is one of the signs that horse owners often miss. Remember that they will only act wild and restless when the pain is too much for them to handle. If not, they will just have to suffer in silence.
A different way
Horses can't handle colic the same way that people can. Because of how their bodies are built and how their bodies work, they can't throw up or relieve the pressure in their stomachs. This can cause the pain and problem to build up inside, making the situation worse. Maybe this is why colic in horses is so dangerous. In fact, some horses do respond to therapy and get better, but most will get worse no matter what they are given.
The fact that horses are built differently is another reason why colic is a problem for them. Their blood and food tubes are much smaller, so they are more likely to get clogged or hit by something, especially with food.
When your pet has colic, it's important to call a vet as soon as possible so that he can give the right treatment. Also, make sure your horse can't get to any solid foods like hay or grass. Water is the only thing the horse is allowed to drink.
