Equine Colic: Types, Signs & Symptoms

Equine colic refers to a broad range of gastrointestinal disorders in horses that result in abdominal pain. It is a potentially life-threatening condition that can range from mild to severe. The term “colic” itself simply means abdominal pain, but in horses, it can signify different types of underlying issues.

It can be difficult to spot the signs and symptoms of equine colic, with so many to watch out for. That’s why we’ve put together some of the most common symptoms of the gastric disorder, some risk factors you should keep in mind when monitoring your horse for colic development, and some high-tech ways to give you piece of mind over this worrying period of change.

As the season changes, so do our horses’ daily routines, which means we need to be extra vigilant when monitoring equine colic symptoms. Routine is very important to horses, and even though we try our best to maintain a daily schedule, changeable weather, life commitments, and unpredictable circumstances can all throw routine off course.

Types of Equine Colic

There are a number of equine colic types, these are:

1. Gas Colic: Caused by the accumulation of gas in the intestines or stomach.
2. Impaction Colic: Occurs when food or foreign material creates a blockage in the intestines.
3. Sand Colic: Ingestion of sand or dirt leading to accumulation and blockage in the intestines.
4. Spasmodic Colic: Resulting from muscle spasms in the intestines.
5. Displacement/Torsion: When a part of the intestine moves out of its normal position or twists, cutting off blood supply.
6. Enteritis/Colitis: Inflammation of the intestines, often due to infection.
7. Strangulation: Blood supply to a section of the intestine is cut off, often due to a twist or a hernia.

All of which will be diagnosed by a qualified veterinary practitioner.

Risk Factors

With the change in season comes an increased risk of colic. Routine changes, stress, and changes to feed can all increase the chance your horse may experience colic symptoms. When monitoring your horse for colic symptoms, make sure to bear in mind your horse’s health status and environment. Think about;

• Possible tooth problems: Has your horse recently seen a registered equine dentist? While once per year is normally recommended, those suffering from poor-quality teeth or dental conditions may need to be seen more regularly.
• Digestive Health: is your horse suffering from a worm burden, or have they suffered from colic before; both of these factors can majorly increase the risk of a colic episode.
• Feeding regime: has your horse’s feeding regime recently changed? This can be anything from introducing hay back into your horse’s diet after a summer of grazing to poor feed hygiene or a change in daily timings.
• Stress: has your horse recently experienced a stressful situation? This could be physical, such as a long travel period or intense competition, or psychological, like a change in yards.
• Pasture quality: poor or overgrazed pasture predisposes horses to ingest sand and soil, which cannot be broken down in the stomach. This may build up and cause a blockage, otherwise known as impaction colic. Make sure to keep on top of your pasture quality and put in place management to maintain grass length.

Colic Symptoms

Symptoms of equine colic include, but are not limited to;

• Restlessness and pawing at the ground
• Sweating and increased breathing rate
• Irritated, kicking to the stomach
• Stretching as if to urinate
• Rolling or attempting to roll
• Elevated hear rate and respiration
• Reduced or absent gut sounds
• Looking at the flank
• Increased anxiety

One or more of these symptoms can indicate equine colic. Monitoring the horse during this time, alongside writing down notes will be valuable when the vet arrives.

Treatment of equine colic

The earlier to establish the signs of colic, the better. Treatments vary depending on severity and progression of the issue.

Options for treatment may include:

• Pain relief (analgesics)
• Fluid therapy (oral or intravenous)
• Administration of medications to promote gut motility
• Decompression of the stomach using a nasogastric tube
• Surgery in severe cases (e.g., to correct displacement, torsion, or remove an obstruction)

Prevention

While not all colic cases can be prevented, horse care and routine can help prevent and reduce the severity of colic. The following tips can prove beneficial in working towards preventing colic:

• Regular dental care to ensure proper chewing of food
• Providing high-quality feed and forage
• Ensuring regular access to clean water
• Implementing a consistent feeding schedule
• Avoiding sudden changes in diet
• Reducing stress and ensuring regular exercise
• Managing parasites with a deworming program

Equine colic requires prompt attention as some forms can rapidly become life-threatening. Early detection and treatment are critical for a positive outcome.