Author: Amanda Munson

Strider and I have been a team since he was fresh off the track at 4 years old. He’s my dream horse; full of heart, willingness, attitude and such love that he seems more human than horse sometimes. He gives me his heart no matter what we’re doing. He’s the best endurance and event horse, tearing up the trails and cross-country courses, while maintaining finesse and control in dressage. But Strider is a bit high stress, which has lead to many colics.

Colic is such a scary thing, especially when you and your horse are so close. We have had everything from mild gas colics to near death colitis. I have seen that “thrashing about in pain” colic in some horses, but the scariest moments are when the horse just lies there all too quietly, trying to get through the pain. There isn’t enough to be said about checking your horse whenever your gut says something might be wrong. Check for sounds, and if something’s not right, and your gut says so, then get a vet out as soon as possible. If your horse picks up a strange behavior, or just acts differently and more irritable than usual, then check his gut first.

It’s amazing how much improvement and happiness can come from a properly functioning and happy gut!

**Amanda was the winner of our Equine Colic Awareness Month contest. She sent in her photo and story and was the recipient of a free SUCCEED Challenge Registration.**