Horse Colic: Emergency Welfare and Long-Term Management

Colic is the leading cause of death in horses and a major welfare emergency requiring rapid recognition, veterinary assessment and appropriate management.

Key Facts

Colic is a general term for abdominal pain in horses covering many underlying conditions
Severity ranges from mild gas colic resolving with walking to life-threatening surgical emergencies
Signs include pawing, looking at flanks, rolling, refusing food and elevated heart rate
Large colon displacements and small intestinal strangulations require emergency surgery
Pain management with NSAIDs and anti-spasmodics is critical for welfare during episodes
Around 10-15% of colic cases requiring veterinary attention need surgical intervention

Welfare Considerations

Colic represents one of the most acute welfare emergencies in equine medicine - horses experiencing severe colic are in profound pain and distress, unable to communicate their need for help except through behavioural signs that owners must recognise. Rapid assessment and pain management are ethical imperatives. Even mild colic episodes involve real suffering that should not be dismissed. Long-term welfare involves addressing predisposing factors: diet changes, forage provision, water access, parasite management and dental care all influence colic risk. Horses that survive surgical colic often require extended recovery management with significant welfare considerations.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise colic signs in horses and have your vet's emergency number ready
Discuss preventive management strategies with your vet including diet and parasite control
Ensure horses always have access to fresh water to reduce impaction colic risk
Have a clear decision-making plan with your vet about surgical intervention thresholds