Colic in Horses: Prevention and Welfare

Colic is the leading cause of horse death and causes significant acute suffering; many types are preventable through good management of diet, water access, and parasite control.

Key Facts

Colic — gastrointestinal pain — is responsible for more horse deaths than any other condition
Simple obstructive colic is often caused by inadequate water intake or sudden dietary change
Parasitic colic from large strongyle larval migration is preventable through strategic anthelmintic treatment
Horses at grass with access to clean water have lower colic rates than those on high hay and grain diets
Surgical intervention for severe colic carries significant welfare implications through recovery period

Welfare Considerations

Colic causes acute abdominal pain that can range from mild transient discomfort to life-threatening surgical emergency. The welfare impact of severe colic is profound: horses in pain roll, thrash, and show obvious distress that can last hours before veterinary intervention achieves relief. Many common colic causes are preventable: adequate water access prevents impaction; gradual dietary changes prevent fermentative colic; strategic parasite management prevents parasitic damage. Veterinary attention promptly when colic is suspected prevents deterioration from mild to life-threatening. The welfare burden of colic across the equine population represents significant suffering that good management can substantially reduce.

What You Can Do

Ensure your horse has continuous access to clean fresh water as the primary colic prevention measure
Make any dietary changes gradually over 2-3 weeks to allow microbiome adaptation
Implement strategic parasite management including regular faecal egg counts
Call your veterinarian promptly when any colic signs are observed rather than waiting
Support research into colic prevention and non-surgical management methods