It's been raining for days here, but looks like we may have a couple of days of sunshine to dry things out. This is the type of weather change (from the extreme dryness we had to soggy or visa verse) that is hard on the horses. The reason they usually colic when the weather changes is not only from the change in air pressure, but from the change in water consumption. I am such a believer in PRO-active care that I soak their hay in water (if nature hasn't already done it for me) and feed big, wet bran mashes. I'll add Milk of Magnesia to the mash (an ounce - 30cc's), cook flaxseed jelly to keep things moving, etc. Of course, one can always get the Vet out for shots of Banamine and stomach tube administrations of mineral oil... lots of walking, ear massaging and, worst case, surgeries... how much better is it to prevent trouble whenever possible!? Herbs that help prevent colic are FENNEL (anti GAS!) seed; ANISE seed; FENUGREEK seed; soaked SENNA pods for impaction/constipation; FLAXSEED ground or cooked into jelly (whole flaxseeds cause gas!); PARSLEY for digestion.
