Equine Colic Welfare and Emergency Response

Colic is the leading cause of death in horses and the most common welfare emergency, requiring rapid recognition and appropriate management to maximise welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Colic affects approximately 10% of horses in the UK annually and is the leading cause of death
Spasmodic colic often resolves with pain management while surgical cases require immediate referral
Pain levels in colic range from mild discomfort to extreme distress in cases of volvulus
Delay in veterinary contact significantly worsens outcomes in surgical cases
Gut motility and appropriate feeding management significantly reduce colic risk

Welfare Considerations

Colic represents a spectrum of abdominal pain conditions from mild discomfort to life-threatening intestinal volvulus causing extreme pain. Horses with severe colic experience some of the most intense pain of any domestic animal welfare emergency, with gut torsion causing unrelenting agony. Delayed recognition and treatment significantly worsens welfare outcomes. Early veterinary assessment, effective analgesia, and prompt referral for surgical cases are the key welfare interventions that separate preventable deaths from those requiring euthanasia.

What You Can Do

Learn to recognise the signs of colic including pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, and reduced gut sounds
Contact your vet at first signs of colic rather than waiting to see if it resolves
Prevent colic risk factors including sudden diet change and reduced water intake
Ensure teeth and dental health are maintained as feed quality affects colic risk
Maintain adequate forage intake and reduce high-starch feeds wherever possible