Colic is the most common cause of death in horses outside old age, and rapid recognition and appropriate response can mean the difference between life and death.
Colic causes some of the most severe pain horses experience, and the welfare stakes of appropriate emergency response are enormous. Horses with severe colic roll violently, sweat profusely, refuse food and show signs of extreme distress that are unmistakable to experienced observers. The challenge is that early colic can appear mild before rapidly progressing to surgical emergency. Delayed veterinary call in horses with escalating pain is one of the most common welfare failures in equine management. The development of gut volvulus causes intestinal necrosis and toxaemia that make surgery outcomes dramatically worse with every hour of delay. Early, decisive veterinary consultation saves lives and reduces suffering.