Colic — abdominal pain in horses — is the leading cause of equine death in the UK and USA. From mild spasmodic episodes to life-threatening large colon displacements requiring surgery, colic welfare management requires owner education, rapid veterinary response, and good husbandry practice.
Horses in severe colic show intense and obvious distress: rolling, pawing, sweating, flank-watching, and refusal to stand. The pain of large colon torsion or small intestinal strangulation is among the most severe any animal experiences. Welfare during colic management depends on rapid pain relief — flunixin meglumine or buscopan — and assessment to determine whether surgical intervention is needed. Walking horses with colic was historically recommended but is now discouraged; controlled rest and pain assessment are preferred. Post-surgical colic cases require weeks of intensive post-operative care, and complications including laminitis secondary to endotoxaemia pose additional welfare risks.