Companion Animals

Colic Management in Horses: Welfare and Emergency Response

How to respond to equine colic to protect horse welfare and improve outcomes.

Key Facts

Colic is the leading cause of premature death in horses
Simple spasmodic colic resolves with treatment — surgical colic carries high mortality without rapid surgery
Early veterinary intervention dramatically improves welfare outcomes
Pain signs include pawing, flank watching, rolling, and reluctance to eat

Welfare Considerations

Colic causes acute welfare compromise — pain intensity ranges from mild discomfort to severe agony depending on type. Welfare-focused colic management involves rapid assessment, early veterinary contact, appropriate analgesia, and referral when surgical lesions are possible. Delay in surgical referral is the most common preventable welfare failure in colic cases.

What You Can Do

Call your vet at the first signs of colic — do not wait to see if it resolves
Do not withhold pain relief before vet arrival — analgesia does not mask serious signs
Know your nearest equine surgical hospital and transport options in advance