They will often require supplemental feeding, such as additional hay or cubed feed. Colic is a year round problem, but seems to be more common in springtime. This may be due to a variety of reasons, including foaling, weather changes, green grass and weeds being available for feed, depletion of sources of good quality hay, and increased incidences of internal parasites. Prevention includes selecting quality hay, feeding small amounts several times a day, rather than large amounts twice daily, and regular deworming. In broodmares, the amount of hay should be reduced and grain increased to reduce bulk in the large intestines during the final 2 weeks prior to foaling.
Horses are expensive animals to buy and maintain.
The time and money spend on prevention often can eliminate disease or death loss, which can be economically and emotionally devastating.