Colic — gastrointestinal pain in horses — is the leading cause of equine death and one of the most welfare-significant conditions in domestic horses. Understanding it is essential for all horse owners.
Colic is acutely painful — horses experiencing severe gastrointestinal episodes are in significant distress that is unmistakable to experienced observers. The welfare challenge lies in the spectrum of severity: mild gas colic may resolve with walking and analgesics, while severe displacement or strangulation requires emergency surgery within hours to prevent death. Delayed recognition, inadequate pain assessment, or deferred veterinary attention all extend the period of suffering. Owners must be educated to recognise early signs, contact a vet promptly, and administer prescribed pain relief while waiting. The decision about surgical intervention is complex and expensive — but welfare principles require that the horse's pain and prognosis should be central to the decision, not only the financial cost.