Colic — abdominal pain in horses — is the most common medical emergency in equine practice. Rapid, appropriate owner response and veterinary assessment are critical for welfare and survival outcomes.
Colic causes severe acute abdominal pain — a horse with strangulating colic is in the most extreme pain that equine medicine encounters. The welfare imperative is rapid pain relief and accurate assessment of whether surgical intervention is needed. Owners who delay calling a vet while attempting home treatment of potentially serious colic cases allow preventable suffering and reduce survival chances. Equally, gentle walking and basic analgesics while awaiting veterinary arrival are appropriate first responses. The welfare risk zone is waiting too long before calling professional help when a horse's condition is not improving — prompt action saves lives and prevents prolonged suffering.