Colic is the leading cause of death in horses after old age, causing severe pain that is often preventable through appropriate management.
Horses experiencing colic suffer severe abdominal pain that prevents normal posture and behaviour. Animals in pain roll violently, risking additional injury. Pain causes elevated heart rate, sweating, and inability to eat or rest. Delayed veterinary attention allows straightforward cases to progress to more serious conditions. The distress expressed by colicking horses and the observation that horses in pain hide it less well than many species suggests significant suffering. Chronic low-grade colic from inappropriate management causes recurrent pain episodes throughout a horse's life.