Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Colic Prevention and Welfare

Colic is the leading cause of death in horses and significant welfare harm is preventable through management interventions.

Key Facts

Colic encompasses multiple gastrointestinal conditions from mild spasm to fatal displacement
Dietary management including consistent forage supply is the most important preventive factor
Regular dental care ensures adequate feed processing reducing impaction risk
Parasite control reduces the contribution of small redworm hypobiosis to colic risk
Surgical colic has a good prognosis when performed promptly by specialist surgeons

Welfare Considerations

Colic causes acute and severe abdominal pain that is sometimes fatal. Preventable risk factors including inconsistent feeding, poor dental care and inadequate parasite control cause unnecessary colic episodes. Management improvements have the most significant welfare impact.

What You Can Do

Maintain consistent feeding patterns and forage supply to reduce dietary colic risk
Implement regular dental care to ensure adequate feed processing
Develop an emergency colic response plan with your vet before an emergency occurs