Horse Colic Prevention and Management: The Leading Cause of Equine Death

Colic — abdominal pain — is the leading cause of death in horses. Evidence-based prevention management dramatically reduces incidence, and rapid response improves outcomes.

Key Facts

Colic kills more horses than any other condition, accounting for 28% of equine deaths
Spasmodic colic resolves with veterinary treatment in 90% of cases; surgical colic has 50-80% survival
Diet changes, inadequate water, and insufficient forage are primary colic risk factors
The gut microbiome of horses is highly sensitive to rapid dietary change
Horses need a minimum of 1.5-2% of body weight in forage daily to maintain gut motility

Welfare Considerations

Colic encompasses a spectrum from mild spasm to life-threatening small intestinal displacement. Prevention focuses on the primary risk factors: ensuring continuous forage access, maintaining consistent diet, providing clean fresh water at all times, managing sand ingestion in susceptible environments, and regular dental care to ensure proper chewing. When colic occurs, rapid veterinary assessment is critical — early intervention dramatically improves outcomes and reduces suffering. Owners who recognize early signs (pawing, flank watching, rolling, refusing feed) and call a vet promptly save lives.

What You Can Do

Provide horses with continuous access to forage — avoid long periods without hay
Introduce any dietary changes gradually over 10-14 days minimum
Ensure fresh clean water is always available and intake is monitored daily
Call a veterinarian promptly at any sign of colic — never wait to see if it resolves
Maintain a regular dental program to ensure horses can properly chew and digest forage