Horse Colic: Recognising and Responding to a Welfare Emergency

Colic — abdominal pain in horses — is the leading cause of death in domestic horses outside old age. Rapid recognition, appropriate first aid, and prompt veterinary attention are essential for good welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Colic accounts for approximately 10 to 11% of equine deaths and is the most common veterinary emergency in horses
Types range from simple gas colic resolving within hours to strangulating lesions requiring emergency surgery
Signs include pawing, looking at flanks, rolling, sweating, and elevated heart rate above 52 beats per minute
Surgical intervention is required in approximately 10 to 15% of colic cases
Horses that roll violently during colic can cause intestinal displacement or torsion, worsening the condition
Risk factors include sudden dietary changes, dental problems, parasites, insufficient water intake, and sand ingestion
Survival rates for surgical colic average 70 to 80% in specialist referral centres

Welfare Considerations

Colic causes severe visceral pain that horses cannot effectively communicate or resolve themselves. The distress drives compulsive rolling that risks worsening the underlying problem. Welfare management requires recognising even mild signs early, calling a veterinarian immediately for any colic lasting more than 30 minutes or showing severe pain signs, and controlling the horse to prevent dangerous rolling while awaiting help. Delayed treatment is the single most important factor increasing mortality — owner education about early recognition and rapid response saves horse lives.

What You Can Do

Learn to take your horse's pulse, respiratory rate, and gut sounds as baseline health monitoring skills
Call your veterinarian immediately for any colic showing moderate or severe pain signs
Walk a mildly colicking horse gently — do not trot or canter — to encourage gut movement without exhaustion
Prevent colic through consistent feeding schedules, dental care, parasite control, and constant water access
Consider colic surgery insurance for horses — surgical costs can exceed thousands of dollars