Colic — abdominal pain in horses — is the leading cause of premature death in domestic horses and a major welfare concern requiring both prevention through management and rapid response when it occurs.
Colic causes significant pain ranging from mild discomfort to acute agony depending on the type and severity. Horses experiencing severe colic before veterinary intervention suffer considerably, and the welfare case for rapid professional assessment is strong — delayed treatment worsens outcomes for both welfare and survival. Many colic episodes are preventable through management practices that better approximate natural horse behaviour: ad libitum forage access, adequate water provision, gradual diet transitions, regular dental care, and sufficient turnout. The mismatch between natural horse digestive requirements and the management conditions of many stabled horses creates the physiological vulnerability from which most colic arises. Welfare-centred horse management prioritises forage, movement, and social contact as the foundation for gastrointestinal health.