Colic is the most common emergency in horses, and one of the main causes of death. The British Horse Society (BHS) tells owners to contact their vet straight away if they suspect it, and warns that with colic any delay could affect the outcome. If you suspect colic, call your vet now and read this article afterwards. For everyone else, knowing the early signs and having a plan in place before anything happens is one of the most useful things you can do for your horse.
What colic is
Colic is not a single disease. It is a general term for abdominal pain, and it has many possible causes, from gas and impactions to twists of the gut that need surgery. Some cases settle with simple veterinary treatment, while others become critical within hours. Owners cannot tell at home which type of colic a horse has, which is why every case needs a vet.
Research from the University of Nottingham, published when the REACT campaign launched in 2016, found that more than 90% of horse owners did not feel confident spotting the early signs of colic. The same research found that colic accounted for one in three emergency veterinary call-outs, that at least one in ten of those cases may be critical, and that up to 80% of critical cases ended in death or euthanasia.
Recognising the warning signs
The BHS and the University of Nottingham developed REACT to help owners spot colic early. The BHS pocket guide groups the signs as follows.
| REACT | What you might see |
|---|---|
| Restless | Attempting to lie down, repeatedly rolling, unexplained sweating, agitation, pacing or circling |
| Eating less and droppings reduced | Reduced appetite or not eating, passing fewer or no droppings, changes in droppings consistency |
| Abdominal pain | Looking at the flanks, pawing the ground, kicking at the belly |
| Clinical changes | Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, reduced or absent gut sounds, a change in gum colour, cuts and grazes around the eyes |
| Tired | Lying down more, lowered head, withdrawn, dull and depressed |
The BHS points out that horses show pain differently. Signs can range from appearing quieter than normal to obvious distress, so the dramatic picture of a horse rolling and kicking is not the only one to watch for. A horse that leaves its hay or has fewer droppings in the stable than usual deserves a closer look. Our article on the signs of poor gut health covers other changes worth noticing.
Know what is normal for your horse
Changes are easier to spot if you know your horse's normal behaviour, appetite, droppings and vital signs. The BHS pocket guide gives typical adult ranges of 37.5 to 38.5°C for temperature, 28 to 44 beats per minute for heart rate and 8 to 16 breaths per minute for breathing. Take your horse's temperature, pulse and respiration regularly when it is well, so you have a baseline, and never attempt it if doing so is unsafe.
What to do if you suspect colic
Contact your vet immediately, even if the signs seem mild or vague. Tell them what you have seen and when it started, and make sure they have a phone number that will reach you. If your vet does not know your yard, share your location, for example using what3words or your phone's live location. Only give medication if your vet instructs you to.
While you wait for the vet
The BHS gives clear guidance for the time between your call and the vet's arrival.
- Keep yourself safe. Horses in pain can behave unpredictably. Wear a hat and gloves, and if it is unsafe to handle your horse, do not attempt it; wait for your vet.
- Move to a safe area. Keep your horse somewhere safe and remove hazards such as haynets and buckets, along with any food.
- Allow lying down and rolling. The BHS states that letting a horse lie down or roll will not make colic worse.
- Follow your vet's advice on walking. Your vet will tell you whether to walk your horse. Keep walks short and never force a reluctant horse.
- Keep notes. Record what you see, including droppings, behaviour and the times signs changed, to pass on to your vet.
- Be prepared. Check your emergency care plan, your insurance cover and your transport arrangements in case referral is needed.
Make an emergency care plan
Decisions made in a crisis are hard, especially if referral for surgery is a possibility. The BHS provides a free emergency care plan template that records your vet's details, transport options, insurance information and your wishes if you cannot be contacted. Keep a copy at the yard where others can find it, and talk through costs and options with your vet and insurer before you need them.
Prevention through everyday management
Not every case of colic can be prevented, but management makes a real difference. The BHS recommends the following.
- Make changes to diet and routine gradually, over at least 10 to 14 days, so gut bacteria have time to adapt.
- Feed a high-fibre, forage-based diet, keep concentrates low in starch and sugar, and feed little and often.
- Control grass intake where needed with strip grazing or a grazing muzzle, and feed hay off sandy ground.
- Never feed grass cuttings, garden waste or human food.
- Provide clean, fresh water at all times and monitor intake, especially in hot or cold weather.
- Have teeth checked every 6 to 12 months and follow a risk-based worm control plan.
- Reduce stress and keep a written daily care plan so anyone looking after your horse keeps to the routine.
World Horse Welfare adds that plenty of forage helps lower the risk of colic and that water must always be available to help prevent impaction. Our articles on how much forage a horse needs and winter gut health go into more detail, and our page on diet changes and turnout explains how to make transitions safely.
Where supplements fit
No supplement prevents colic, and none should ever delay a call to the vet. Products such as gut balancers are designed to support the hindgut through changes in diet and routine, but they work alongside good management rather than in place of it. Read our veterinary disclaimer for more on how our editorial guidance relates to veterinary advice.