Colic is the leading cause of equine death and a major welfare emergency, with prevention through management and rapid veterinary response being the twin pillars of reducing its toll.
Colic causes intense acute suffering in affected horses, and the welfare stakes are particularly high because the range of severity — from transient discomfort to fatal surgical emergency — is difficult for owners to assess without veterinary guidance. Every colic event should be treated as potentially serious until a vet has assessed it. Prevention through management is the most powerful intervention: forage-based diet, constant water access, regular dental care, appropriate parasite management, and consistent exercise reduce colic incidence significantly. When colic does occur, owner knowledge of how to monitor vital signs and report accurately to a vet enables better triage and faster intervention when surgery is needed.