Colic — abdominal pain in horses — is the most common cause of equine veterinary emergency and death, and rapid response combined with good management can dramatically improve welfare outcomes.
Colic causes acute suffering in horses and creates some of the most urgent welfare decisions in equine ownership. The clinical spectrum from mild discomfort to catastrophic intestinal torsion means that accurate assessment and rapid veterinary response are critical. Owners who delay calling a veterinarian — hoping colic will resolve spontaneously — risk allowing conditions that require surgical intervention to progress beyond the point where surgery can succeed. Early veterinary assessment does not commit to expensive treatment but establishes diagnosis and treatment options. Prevention is equally important: dietary management, water provision, dental care, and appropriate deworming are all evidence-based approaches to reducing colic incidence. Equine owners benefit from colic recognition training and clear protocols for when to call a vet.