Early Signs of Colic In Horses

Colic is the most common reason for emergency equine veterinary calls and the leading cause of death in horses under 20 years of age. This unpredictable equine condition affects horses with little to no warning, causing potentially severe abdominal pain. In some cases, colic can be life-threatening.

Whether you’re a brand-new horse owner or an experienced equine enthusiast, knowing how to spot the early signs of colic in horses can help you act quickly and seek prompt medical treatment.

It may even save your horse’s life.

The term equine colic simply means abdominal pain. It may be further defined by its cause or location along the horse’s digestive tract (i.e., the stomach, small intestine, cecum, large intestine, or colon).

Common types of colic include:

• Gas colic —This is caused by gas buildup in the colon

• Impaction colic — Impaction refers to a blockage, often caused by an accumulation of food material in the colon.

Colic can progress quickly, causing not only severe pain for the horse but also serious internal changes such as:

• Shock — Shock can develop secondary to infection and a release of toxins in the blood.

• Reduced blood supply — Colic can cause the colon to distend and twist (colonic torsion), resulting in strangulation of blood flow. In some cases, the colon can wrap around the kidney.

• Organ rupture — Fluid buildup or excessive gas can cause the stomach or colon to tear (rupture), spilling contents into the horse’s abdomen.

Although many cases of colic are unpreventable, recognizing signs of colic at the earliest possible stage is the best way to protect your horse from these devastating complications.

Keep Learning: 7 Common Equine Diseases and How To Recognize Them 

As herd animals, horses instinctively hide signs of pain, weakness, and injury. This can make it difficult to know when a horse is colicking until their condition is life-threatening.

Understanding your horse’s normal behavior and routine can help you spot early signs and seek medical treatment before they need emergency care or surgical intervention.

Early signs include:

• Looking at the abdomen (flank watching)

• Biting, kicking, or pawing at the belly

• Lethargy or depression

• Passing little or no manure

• Fever

• Abdominal distention (bloated appearance)

• Loss of appetite

• Lying down

• Stretching

• Reduced thirst (dehydration)

Contact your equine veterinarian if you notice any of these signs. Timely medical treatment and pain relief can often help restore motility and prevent complications or the need for emergency care.

Unnoticed or untreated colic episodes can worsen quickly. Symptoms of colic requiring immediate veterinary care include:

• Frequent rolling

• Thrashing

• Reduced or absent gut sounds

• Elevated heart rate or respiratory rate

While horses with gas colic may recover with minimal treatment, there is a risk of colon shift. This happens when the colon moves out of place or twists, stopping blood flow and allowing the release of toxins into the blood. This is extremely painful and can be fatal. Surgical intervention is required.

Horses with impaction colic are unable to pass a blockage within the large colon. This causes additional food materials and fluid to back up into the stomach, leading to shock or stomach rupture.

Despite its frightening presentation, many cases of colic respond well to standard veterinary care.

If your horse is colicking, take a few deep breaths and call your veterinarian. Be prepared to describe your horse’s condition in detail, so your veterinarian can advise you on what to do until they arrive. This may include:

• Removing access to food

• Providing fresh water

• Walking your horse to promote motility

• Preventing your horse from rolling (especially in a stall or small area where they may become cast)

Although colic cannot be prevented, you can protect your horse by understanding and lowering common risk factors. Triggers or causes of colic can include:

• Changes in diet, exercise, or weather — Sudden changes can cause stress and disrupt the horse’s digestive tract.

• Parasites — Heavy intestinal parasite populations alter the horse’s digestive ecosystem.

• Weight gain — Feeding a concentrated, high-grain diet for weight gain can lead to colic and other conditions, such as laminitis.

• Dental problems — Dental pain can prevent horses from thoroughly chewing their food, which may contribute to impaction colic.

• Sand ingestion — Horses grazing over sand can swallow the gritty particles, which accumulate in the digestive tract.

• High-grain diets — Horses on hay-based diets have a lower colic risk.

• Recent foaling — Post-partum mares are more susceptible to colon displacement and torsion.

• Previous colic episode — Horses who have colicked are more likely to colic again.

More Equine Content: Foaling Season: 7 Steps to Get Your New Horse Up and Running 

Equine colic is a sneaky condition, but by staying alert and providing consistent care, you can lower the likelihood of motility-related conditions.

Recommended steps include:

• Providing regular turnout — Allowing horses to graze promotes normal motility and relieves stress.

• Deworming your horse — Consistent deworming keeps your horse free from intestinal parasites that can interfere with digestion and motility.

• Identifying and removing stress triggers — Look for ways to ease your horse’s stress.

• Avoiding sudden changes — If you must change your horse’s routine, including diet or exercise, do it slowly and watch for symptoms of colic.

• Maintaining routine veterinary care — Annual exams, dental care (floating), and deworming are the best ways to protect your horse’s health and well-being.

• Monitoring your horse’s behavior and health — Stay alert for subtle changes and seek prompt veterinary care.

Colic is an unfortunate reality for many horse owners, but understanding why it happens and how to spot it can make it more manageable. By knowing your horse’s normal routine and behavior, along with their risk factors, you’ll be better equipped to notice subtle changes before they become a serious problem.

Colic care is proactive care. If something seems unusual about your horse’s behavior or appearance, don’t wait—notify your veterinarian right away. Attentive monitoring and swift action give your horse the best chance of recovery and provide you with the greatest peace of mind.