Dietary management in horses recovering from colic

There is limited scientific knowledge about an adequate feeding management in horses recovering from colic. In general, feeding recommendations will depend on the underlying cause of the colic as well as the respective treatment, hereby considering possible complications and the horse's appetite. Horses with simple colic can quickly return to normal feeding, however feeding mistakes as a possible cause of the colic should be prohibited. After large intestine impaction, water should be provided soon after resolution of obstruction. Small amounts of highly digestible feedstuffs like hay, alfalfa or grass should be offered to the horses under the premise of an adequate gastrointestinal function. In general, hay ad libitum intake can be provided within 24-48 h. Because of an increased risk of ileus and other complications after small intestine enterotomy or anastomosis, soft feedstuffs like linseed mash should be offered to the horse. In the following, a gradual reintroduction to the normal diet (2-4 days) is recommended in case of a re-established intestinal motility and ingest passage. Parenteral nutrition should be considered with ongoing intestinal dysfunction (i.e. postoperative ileus) and a prolonged starvation period (>24-48 h) after surgery.