If your horse is prone to colic, look closely at your feeding methods.
Horses are built to move and graze freely. Pasture is best, but not always possible. If you are feeding your horse supplemental hay and grain, be sure to maintain a regular, consistent schedule.
Speak to your veterinarian about the best feeding schedule for your horse. Factors to consider include your horse's age, weight, activity level and metabolic sensitivities.
Always make changes in your horse's diet slowly—over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. This allows your horse's digestive system to process and acclimate to the change, reducing the chance of colic.
Other Horse Feeding Tips:
Choose the best quality hay you can find. You can learn more about hay testing here.
The healthiest position for a horse to feed is in the grazing position. Consider building a simple horse stall corner feeder to help preserve hay.
An inconsistent feeding schedule can cause cribbing which can, in turn, cause colic. There are several ways to reduce or prevent cribbing, including a cribbing collar