Depending upon the type and severity of the colic, some horses will need to be held off feed for 12 to 48 hours post-surgery. | Photo: Amelia Munsterman, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC, CVA

During a presentation at the 2012 Kentucky Equine Research Conference, held May 17-18 in Lexington, Ky., Amelia Munsterman, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC, clinical lecturer in equine critical care medicine and surgery at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, gave a presentation on feeding horses with or after colic.

The Relationship Between Feeding Choices and Colic

Munsterman first explained that horses evolved to consume small quantities of high fiber, low carbohydrate feeds continuously. Many modern-day feeding techniques, she said, contradict these nutritional needs. Tactics such as stall confinement and large meals, for instance, can lead to digestive upset and colic, she said