Colic is the most common equine emergency and a major welfare concern, requiring rapid assessment, appropriate pain management and timely referral decisions to optimize outcomes.
Colic welfare management requires rapid response because pain is the primary welfare issue and delayed treatment prolongs suffering while worsening outcomes for surgical cases. The challenge for horse owners is distinguishing mild colic that may resolve from serious colic requiring urgent intervention — a decision requiring veterinary assessment rather than waiting. Appropriate analgesia provided by attending veterinarians reduces suffering during the assessment and transport periods. Decision-making about medical versus surgical management, and about euthanasia when prognosis is poor, must incorporate welfare considerations alongside economic factors. The welfare case for immediate euthanasia in cases of uncontrollable pain with poor prognosis is clear and must be supported by veterinary guidance.