05/23/2026
I tell you what… there’s been a handful of scary situations on this farm, but last night was up there.
I’ve never dealt with colic before. Honestly, I didn’t even know exactly what I was looking at—but I knew something was wrong.
Jazz wouldn’t eat. Totally out of character.
I went out with a carrot to check on him and immediately noticed mucus dripping from his nose, sunken temples, and him looking back at his flanks, tense and uncomfortable.
I grabbed my phone for documentation and started making calls—to a friend, my parents, anyone I trusted.
Colic. Most likely an impaction.
For my non-horse people: essentially, Jazz had a severe stomach ache that led to dehydration and constipation. In horses, this can become life-threatening very quickly if not addressed.
For Jazz, this felt especially catastrophic. Without a bowel movement, we were looking at an emergency vet situation. In a younger horse, surgery may be an option. But Jazz is 35… and the reality is, that may not have been for him.
It felt like his life was in my hands.
And then Oakley started showing signs too—which I can only attribute to this brutal heat and likely not drinking enough water.
Emily from Harry’s Hidden Acres Sanctuary walked me through colic protocol:
• Mineral oil (lots of it)
• Electrolytes
• Water
• Monitoring re**al temp
• Banamine for inflammation
Dr. Compton added:
• Maalox
• Milk of Magnesia
So we got to work.
My husband and I did walks and checks through the night—9pm, 11pm, 3am, and 7am.
By this morning, Oakley had a bowel movement and was back to her normal sassy self.
Jazz… we had our finger hovering over the emergency vet button when he finally pooped around 3pm—almost 24 hours after I first noticed symptoms.
I cannot tell you the relief.
He is one lucky old fellow to have so many people who love and care about him 🤍
We’re not fully out of the woods yet, but we’re close. For now: wet feed, electrolytes, close monitoring, and likely switching hay. Coastal may have played a role here.
Please keep a close eye on your babies in this heat. Sometimes the smallest change in behavior is the first sign something is very wrong.
And now, I’m going to rest… much like Jazz. 🤍
Keep him in your prayers 🙏
