Colic is the leading cause of death in horses and causes acute suffering, but prompt owner recognition and veterinary response dramatically improve survival and welfare outcomes.
Colic pain in horses ranges from mild discomfort that resolves spontaneously to severe, unrelenting agony from intestinal torsion that requires emergency surgery within hours to prevent death. The welfare suffering during a serious colic episode is acute: horses in severe colic pain throw themselves to the ground repeatedly, roll violently, and are unable to stand calmly. Prompt recognition and veterinary response is the critical welfare determinant, as pain management can be administered quickly while the cause is investigated. Owner education about early colic signs, rapid veterinary contact protocols, and not allowing horses to roll excessively before the vet arrives are the most important welfare-focused owner behaviours.