How to Treat Equine Colic

Colic in horses is a common, yet potentially serious, condition. Equine colic is stomach pain caused by a change in the feed given to a horse or from a blockage of the horse's intestines. Symptoms of equine colic range from mild to serious and should be reported to a veterinarian immediately. The earlier colic is treated, the better the outcome for the horse.

Things You'll Need

  • Veterinarian
  • Sedative
  • Pain relievers
  • Surgeon
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Instructions

    • 1

      Recognize the early signs of colic that your horse may exhibit. Symptoms of the condition that appear early on include the horse curling his lip, refusing food and seeming concerned about his stomach by looking at it or appearing anxious and restless.

    • 2

      Call the veterinarian if symptoms of equine colic persist. More advanced signs include rolling on the ground in response to the stomach pain, either not eliminating at all or producing feces that are covered in mucous, sweating and an abnormally fast heartbeat.

    • 3

      Withhold food from your horse if you suspect colic and call your vet right away.

    • 4

      Try to get the horse off the ground if she's rolling and walk her around slowly. If she is resting quietly without trying to hurt herself, let her be.

    • 5

      Give permission for the vet to administer a sedative to your horse. The medication will help calm the animal down enough to be examined so the doctor can determine how severe the colic is. Spasmodic colic is the most mild form of the disease and is usually treated with pain medications and rehydration fluids.

    • 6

      Allow your horse to be fitted with a nasogastric (NG) tube if necessary. The NG tube relieves gaseous pressure in the digestive tract. Water may be introduced into the horse via the tube as well if the intestines are blocked or otherwise damaged. Colic that results from structural damage or blockages is called impaction colic, incarceration colic and displacement colic.

    • 7

      Have your horse undergo surgery to correct impactions or strangulating hernias that are causing your horse's colic. In extreme causes of equine colic, such as displacement colic in which the blood supply is cut off, surgery may be the only treatment that can save your horse's life.