266 The Care of Animals 



digestion, the pain is usually continuous and moderate, 

 not coming on in severe and intermittent attacks, as 

 in colic. 



The treatment is the same as for mild indigestion, 

 except that the Jamaica ginger dose may be repeated 

 every three hours. If the horse is in much pain, an 

 ounce of laudanum may be given two or three times 

 daily. Laxative and easily digested food, with careful 

 exercise, are needed as soon as the horse recovers. 



COLIC IN HORSES 



Indigestion and colic are the most common digestive 

 diseases of the horse. Colic occurs in two forms : 

 spasmodic, or cramp colic, and flatulent, or wind colic. 



Spasmodic or cramp colic is a violent and painful 

 contraction of the muscular coats of the bowels. It 

 is usually caused by some irritant in the bowels, such 

 as undigested food, or cold water when the horse is 

 tired from a long hard drive, exposure to cold w^hich 

 chills the animal, a lack of sufficient exercise, sudden 

 changes of diet, especially from dry to green food, or 

 a large amount of bulky, indigestible food in the 

 bowels. 



The pain comes on suddenly and is severe. The 

 horse stops, points toward the flank with his nose, 

 kicks at his belly, or throws himself down violently 

 and rolls. The breathing is rapid, the pulse-beats are 

 increased in number and the animal sweats profusely. 

 The temperature may go up a degree or two as a result 

 of the pain and exercise. In standing, the horse fre- 



