Colic is the most common cause of death in horses and causes severe suffering. Understanding prevention and early intervention is critical for equine welfare.
Colic in horses represents one of the most acute welfare emergencies in equine medicine. The pain of surgical colic — a displaced intestine or twisted gut — is among the most severe experiences documented in any domestic animal. The welfare imperative is twofold: prevention through management practices that reduce colic risk, and rapid intervention when colic occurs to minimize suffering duration. Many colic cases are preventable through consistent feeding routines, appropriate forage provision, water access, and management that avoids abrupt dietary change. When colic does occur, early veterinary assessment prevents manageable conditions from progressing to surgical emergencies. Euthanasia is a welfare tool for horses with colic that cannot be successfully managed, and the decision to pursue expensive surgery must be genuinely weighed against realistic outcomes and recovery welfare.