Feeding practices associated with colic in horses

Objective-To determine whether specific feeding practices were associated w ith development of colic in horses. Design-Prospective matched case-control study. Animals-364 horses examined by veterinarians in private practice in Texas b ecause of colic (cases; n = 182) or any other reason (controls; 182). Procedure-Participating veterinarians were sent forms at the beginning of t he study to collect information on signalment, feeding management practices , farm management practices, and preventive medical treatments. Case and co ntrol horses were compared by use of conditional logistic regression to ide ntify factors associated with colic. Results-Risk factors for colic were a recent change in batch of hay, decrea sed exposure to pasture, a recent change in type of grain or concentrate fe d, feeding >2.7 kg (6 lb) of oats/d, feeding hay from round bales, and Thor oughbred breed. Recent anthelmintic administration decreased the risk of co lic. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Results suggest that certain changes in diet (eg, change in batch of hay, change in type of grain or concentrate, f eeding hay from round bales) and management (eg, decreased availability of pasture) increase the risk of colic in horses.