Colic is the leading cause of death in horses and a major welfare emergency. Understanding the causes, signs, and urgency of colic helps owners protect their horses.
Colic is among the most painful conditions horses can experience. Intestinal strangulation or impaction creates severe visceral pain that prevents horses from resting - they roll violently, throw themselves to the ground, and may injure themselves in distress. The severity of pain in acute colic cases is extreme, and without prompt intervention, many cases are fatal. The welfare challenge is that colic severity is not always immediately obvious from external signs, and delay in veterinary consultation is one of the leading factors in preventable deaths. Every horse owner should know the signs of colic, understand the urgency of different presentations, and have a veterinary contact they can reach immediately. Pain management while awaiting veterinary arrival is also a critical welfare priority.