Colic — abdominal pain in horses — is one of the leading causes of death and veterinary emergency in equines worldwide, with welfare implications that range from acute severe pain to chronic recurring discomfort.
The welfare burden of colic spans from the acute agony of severe cases — where horses may roll violently and injure themselves in pain — to the chronic anxiety of horses managed in ways that predispose them to recurrent episodes. The fundamental tension in equine management is that horses are evolved for continuous movement and foraging on forage, while competition and pleasure horse management often involves stall confinement and high-starch concentrate diets. These management practices directly elevate colic risk. Ensuring horses have adequate forage access, turnout time, fresh water, and a consistent feeding schedule is both sound welfare practice and evidence-based colic prevention.