Emily Decker, DVM

September 2005

Colic in the horse is defined as “abdominal pain”.  The pain can be due to many different gastrointestinal diseases, as well as a few diseases that are not directly related to the gastrointestinal tract.  The causes of colic range from mild gas in the intestine to severe, life threatening intestinal twists.  Therefore, when signs of colic are first observed, it is important to call your veterinarian immediately to determine the source of pain in your horse and treat your horse. 

Horses can show colic in many ways.  Often, horses with abdominal pain will appear depressed and refuse feed and water.  They may lie down for excess periods of time or appear restless.  As horses become more painful, they may begin flank-watching, stretching as if to urinate, rolling on the ground, and kicking at the abdomen.  The severity of these signs does not always correlate with the severity of gastrointestinal disease.  Therefore, any sign of colic warrants an immediate call to your veterinarian.  Before you call, attempt to gather a few important facts to help your vet determine the severity of your horse’s condition.  If possible, take your horse’s rectal temperature; normal temperature for a horse is 99.5⁰ F +/- 1⁰.  In addition, your horse’s hydration status can be determined by pinching your horse’s skin on the neck.  When released, a hydrated horse’s skin will snap back into place, whereas a dehydrated animal’s skin will take several seconds to go back into place.  Finally, observe your horse’s gums carefully.  Normal horses have pale pink, moist gums.  Dark red, white, or bluish gums indicate a serious problem.  Your vet may also want to know how long your horse has been painful, any changes in your horse’s management or diet, and very importantly, a phone number where you can be reached and good directions to your farm. 

Waiting for the veterinarian to arrive can be an anxious and stressful time.  Several things can be done to aid your horse and facilitate the veterinarian’s visit.  Walking your horse, especially if it is rolling or down can aid in relieving the source of some colics.  By keeping your horse up, you may also prevent casting in the stall or rupture of distended intestines.  In addition, your horse should have access to water during a colic.  Dehydration can be your horse’s worst enemy in a colic situation.  Finally, unless instructed by your veterinarian, avoid giving any medication to your horse before the veterinarian arrives.  Some medications may mask signs of colic and impede the veterinarian’s exam. 

Once the veterinarian arrives, he or she will usually perform a physical exam to determine hydration status, attitude, heart and respiratory rate, gut motility, degree of pain and body temperature.  In addition, your veterinarian may perform a rectal examination to gather information on the type of gastrointestinal problem.  The veterinarian may also pass a nasogastric tube to check for fluid in the stomach and to administer fluids and mineral oil.  Horses are unable to vomit and can rupture their stomach when unable to pass stomach contents during a colic.  Depending on the degree of pain and the likely sources of colic in your horse, your veterinarian and you can develop an appropriate treatment plan for your horse.  Although most colics can be treated in the field, the occasional colic may require advanced care at a referral clinic, surgery or even euthanasia.  Prepare yourself for these circumstances and try to decide whether referral is a financial and logical option for you and your horse before an emergency arises.  The cost of surgery and after-care can range from $3000 to over $10,000.  The prognosis for colic surgery varies greatly depending on the type of colic surgery required.  For simple displacements of the intestine, complete recovery rates are 90%; however, if some of the intestine has to be removed, recovery rates can be as low as 50%. 

The causes of equine colic are many.  Horses may become painful due to improperly digested food, parasite overload, gas, or sand impactions in the intestine.  In older horses, intestinal tumors may be responsible for intestinal blockage or pain.  Another source of pain in the horse could be due to displacement or twisting of the intestine.  Unlike humans, horses have few attachments between their intestines and body wall, enabling the intestine to be highly mobile in the abdominal cavity.  In addition, stomach ulcers are another common cause of pain in the horse.  Ulcers can be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian.  Finally, many diseases not directly related to the intestine can look like colic in a horse including neurological disease, abdominal infection, skeletal fractures, or kidney disease. 

There are several ways you as a horse owner can prevent colic in your horse.  One of the most important steps is to deworm your horse regularly.  Contact your regular veterinarian for a deworming schedule that is appropriate for your area and horse.  Another important way to prevent colic is to create a regular routine for your horse.  Dramatic changes in management, training, or feeding are major factors in causing colic in the horse.  In some colics, sand is the culprit.  A good way to check for sand in your horse’s diet is to place manure in a clear, plastic bag with water.  If excess sand is present, it will quickly sink to the bottom of the bag.  Horses can be given psyllium supplements to help prevent sand colics.  In addition, horses should be fed off the ground or feed should be placed in a tub to prevent ingestion of sand, dirt, parasites, and foreign bodies that could cause colic.  Finally, always have free-choice fresh water available for your horse.  Dehydration can be a major factor in colic and other illness as well.  Although using the above suggestions will reduce the chance of colic in your horse, no amount of preparation can completely protect your horse from colic.  Therefore, monitoring your horses regularly for signs of colic and calling your veterinarian at the first sign of trouble are the best measures you can take to prevent the possibly severe consequences of colic.