What to do if your horse gorges on grain!

 

Colic and laminitis are two very real problems that result from a horse that ate his way through the feed room. Even just a little bit. The first thing to do is to call your horse’s veterinarian. ASAP. This is a real emergency and with prompt veterinary attention, your horse might not even develop the tiniest twinge of colic or laminitis.

 

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How does this gorging of grains lead to laminitis and colic?

 

  • Fortified feeds and grains are delicious and quickly digested. They don’t spend a lot of time in the stomach, and therefore most of the digestion happens in the hindgut.

 

  • The hindgut is where the microbes have set up shop to help your horse digest. Some microbes LOVE sugars and starches, and the other microbes LOVE fiber.

 

feed bin with feed bag inside

No smorgasbord allowed.

 

  • Now….if your horse eats a bunch of grain/fortified feed (as little as six pounds can be dangerous) the sugar and starch-loving microbes feast.

 

  • The sugar and starch-loving microbes produce by-products, which change the pH of the hindgut as well as cause inflammation.

 

  • This makes the fiber-loving microbes die…. which in turn makes endotoxins as the fiber-loving microbes break down.

 

  • It’s these endotoxins that act in your horse’s hooves to create laminitis.

 

The second thing to do is get your horse’s hooves into some ice.

 

  • Even if his hooves don’t feel hot. All of his hooves.

 

  • Nothing battles laminitis better than ice, and getting a jump start is the best thing you can do, long before any heat or obvious pain starts.

 

  • This is going to seem like a lot – but icing his feet for 24 to 48 hours is the best thing you can do to head off laminitis.

 

  • If you decide foolishly to wait and see, laminitis will have a head start and by the time your horse tells you he’s painful, so much damage has already happened.

 

 

horse in buckets of ice

Ice the hooves. It’s your best bet for hoof health.

 

While you are waiting for your veterinarian to arrive, you have some homework to do.

 

  • Try and determine how much he ate and how much manure he has passed since then.

 

 

  • Check your horse for hydration. Use a finger to feel his gums – sticky or dry is BAD, slippery is good.

 

  • These actions monitor a measurable value that you and your vet can track over the next few days.

 

  • Your vet will likely administer some anti-inflammatory meds, and perhaps some activated charcoal to absorb the toxins.

 

  • In some cases, your vet may need to perform gastric lavage to physically flush your horse’s digestive system.

 

  • Then your vet can give you a plan of action regarding managing any colics and laminitis (or diarrhea) or anything else that can pop up as a result of gorging on grains.

 

 

check your horse's digital pulse

Check his digital pulses often. As a general rule, more pulse = more things happening in the hoof = more reasons to ice and call the vet!

 

 

This video shows you how the digital artery “works” to check your horse’s hoof health.

 

This video shows you how to measure the digital pulse.

 

 

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Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you.  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

The Essential Hoof Book: The Complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet BOOK
$43.76

If hooves are your jam, this book is for you. 

02/14/2025 05:38 am GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Rx Therapy Hoof Boot 0
$95.24

For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.

02/14/2025 02:07 pm GMT
Magic Cushion Hoof Packing 4LBS
$54.59

The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.

02/14/2025 05:52 am GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.95

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

02/14/2025 05:52 am GMT
Grand Circuit White Lightning Liquid (64 oz)
$114.00 $99.95

Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.

02/14/2025 05:53 am GMT
Quiessence (Large-14 lbs)
$85.98 $81.99

This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.

02/14/2025 05:52 am GMT
Professional's Choice Ballistic No-Turn Overreach Bell Boots
$33.99

The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.

02/14/2025 03:49 pm GMT
CENTAUR Double Tab Bell Boots
$17.95

So bright and fun for hoof protection.

02/14/2025 03:48 pm GMT
Cavallo Horse & Rider Sport Regular Sole Hoof Boot
$159.93

These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.

02/14/2025 05:33 am GMT
Cavallo Simple Hoof Boot for Horses, Size 3, Black
$180.00 $150.43

This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.

02/14/2025 05:55 am GMT
CHALLENGER Crease Nail Puller Shoe
$42.99

Using this makes shoe removal easy!

02/14/2025 03:28 pm GMT
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Silver Bells - Sox For Horses

For hoof protection when equine pastern dermatitis is a risk.

Durasole
$16.85
02/14/2025 08:28 am GMT
Handson Ergonomic Hoof Pick
$19.99

This is the strongest hoof pick available!

02/14/2025 09:49 am GMT

Thank you!

 

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