• Good stewardship of your horses means watching what they eat, as well as their overall environment.horses image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  According to ultimatehorsesite, colic can define a wide range of abdominal discomforts for horses. The site says it's the number one cause of natural death in the horse population. It is not totally preventable; however, you can lower the chances that your horse becomes a victim of this deadly condition. If you know the causes, you can work to eliminate these hazards.
  
  

Internal Parasites

• Colic can develop as a result of infestation with internal parasites. According to infohorse.com, it's best to institute a program to reduce parasites in the horse's habitat as well as regular deworming of horses according to the needs of each horse.
  
  

Changing Feed Suddenly

• Colic can result from sudden changes in the food that your horse consumes. Make whatever changes you deem necessary; just do it gradually. His intestines need time to accustom themselves to the change. The new feed may not agree with his bowels, and that could cause colic to develop.
  
  

Sand Ingestion

• Horses can develop colic from ingesting small amounts of sand. According to ultimatehorsesite, this happens over time as owners feed their horses on sandy territory. Traces of sand end up in the feed, and then into the stomachs of horses. The site also indicates that it's possible for a horse to carry 30 to 80 lbs. of sand before any symptoms begin to show.
  
  

Moldy Feed

• Bad feed can also be a cause of colic in horses. Administer to your horses only fresh feed. If you allow them to eat feed that contains mold or mildew, your horse could become sick.
  
  

Irregular Feeding Times

• If you are erratic about the times you are feeding your horse, ultimatehorsesite suggests you can cause them to gorge themselves because they are extremely hungry. Excessive eating can cause intestinal blockages, which could lead to colic.
  
  

Nonfeed Materials

• As ultimatehorsesite points out, a horse can acquire colic from ingesting materials from the ground mixed with the feed. If the horse swallows sticks, stones, pieces of twine or wood splinters, colic could develop.
  
  

Twisted Intestines

• According to ultimatehorsesite, twisted intestines is cause of colic and is a life-threatening condition demanding immediate medical attention.