Last Updated on April 15, 2022 by Allison Price
There are many myths about colic treatment, such as giving horses a beer or rescue medication. However, a home remedy might not be sufficient to treat colic. Your veterinarian should inspect every colic episode.
There are many causes of colic. Although there are success stories about horses suffering from colic who were able to recover by drinking a “cold” beverage, the dangers of colic can still be fatal. Even mild cases can prove life-threatening.
Diagnosing colic
Colic is a term that refers to any discomfort or pain in horses’ gastrointestinal tract. There are many colic types and many health conditions that can mimic it, so it is difficult to diagnose without the help of a qualified veterinarian.
They are equipped with the necessary knowledge and equipment to determine the type of colic and the best treatment. You’re just betting that your guess was correct by using home remedies.
Using beer to cure colic
If your veterinarian suspects that your horse is suffering from spasmodic or gastric colic, they will not advise you to give it a beer. Your horse will recover from colic if it has had a cold flat beer. You can try food removal and short lunges if your horse is not responding to the food. If your horse is unable to stand or roll, or hasn’t had manure for 12hrs or eaten for more than 12 hours, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.
If you are unsure of the type of colic your horse has, we do not recommend giving it beer. We also advise that you consult a qualified veterinarian before feeding it beer. Home remedies can cause more harm than good, and should not be used.
