Signs of Colic in Horses

Colic is not only frightening for the horse owner but it can be deadly for the horse. Colic is a catch-all term for stomachache in horses. Some cases can be just a mild passing thing but in certain circumstances colic can turn deadly for your horse. Knowing the signs of colic will help you determine when to call your veterinarian.

  1. Causes

    • Colic has many causes. Changes in the weather, feeding habits, infection, parasites and overexertion are among a few. The most common type of colic is related to feeding. If you feed your horse large amounts of grain and offer little or no roughage your horse may suffer from colic. The deadliest form of colic happens when a horse's intestinal tract becomes completely blocked or even twisted. This prevents food from passing the blockage and it gets backed up. A visit from your veterinarian is always necessary when your horse gets colic to rule out a twisted intestine or blockage. Twisted intestines and blockages are life threatening and require professional intervention. Blockages also occur if you horse has the habit of cribbing or chewing on nonfood items. Your horse may swallow bits of wood or other foreign matter that get stuck in the digestive tract. (See Reference 2.)

    Mild Colic

    • If your horse has mild colic, he will paw the ground repeatedly with his front feet. He may lie down and get up frequently and look at his belly. He may even attempt to bite at his abdomen. (See Reference 1.)A horse with mild colic will be less willing to respond to you. He may try and avoid being caught or handled. In most cases, mild colic passes within 24 hours but impaction and twisted intestines still need to be ruled out by a veterinarian. (See Reference 2.)

    Severe Colic

    • If your horse has severe colic he will likely throw himself to the ground and roll violently. He may lie on his back and stretch out his legs. This helps relieve the pressure in his stomach. He will not pay any attention to you or what you are doing. These horses are dangerous to work with and require a sedative to be handled safely. (See Reference 1.)

    When to Call a Veterinarian

    • It is important to call a veterinarian as soon as you suspect colic. An impaction or twisted intestine will be deadly if left untreated. You should suspect colic if your horse has any of the symptoms of mild or severe colic. Also suspect colic if you cannot hear normal gassy intestinal sounds and if you note that your horse has stopped producing feces. Feces that is unusually dry is also an early sign of colic. A horse with colic will have elevated respiratory and pulse rates. If your horses pulse goes above 50 beats per minute and his respiratory rate gets over 25 breaths a minute call a veterinarian right away. (See Reference 1.)

    Prevention/Solution

    • Not all causes of colic can be prevented but there are some steps you can take to lessen the risk to your horse. Never overgraze pastures, and if pasture is unavailable provide a good supply of hay. Always make sure your horse has a fresh and plentiful supply of clean water. Keep to a regular schedule when feeding your horse and do not make any sudden changes in the type of diet you provide. Stick to a regular deworming program to prevent parasites. Keep all of your horses' stalls and paddocks free from objects they might be tempted to ingest. (See Reference 1.)