by vet Bethan Harper
Colic is a scary word used to describe one of the most common emergencies seen in equine patients. But what actually is it?
Horses have a large and complex gastrointestinal system, so it is unsurprising that sometimes things go wrong.
Simply put, the word ‘colic’ means abdominal pain, which can be caused by a variety of conditions ranging from a minor gas spasm to a life threatening twist of the intestines.
Determining the specific cause of a colic can be tricky, but it is important that you have a vet examine your horse to try to get further information, as this can make a big difference to the treatment plan and prognosis.
The major types of colic include spasmodic, gas, impaction, sand, displacement, and strangulating colic.
Most horse owners are familiar with the typical ‘colic’ signs, but as with the causes of colic, these can vary from case to case. Symptoms can be as little as a dull horse with poor appetite, or the more severe cases may be throwing themselves on the floor and rolling.
Being restless, agitated, rolling, pawing, flank watching, teeth grinding, sweating and not passing droppings are also common signs seen in colic cases.
As always, if you are concerned about your horse or their behaviour is out of the ordinary then it is best to call your vet for advice.
As there is no singular cause of colic, it is hard to know how to prevent it. Some types of colic are unavoidable, but there are risk factors associated with certain causes.
Signalment such as age, breed, and size can contribute to risk, as well as management factors. Horses like routine, and one of the most common precursors to a mild colic episode is a change in management. Changing yards, coming back into a box after summer turnout, and changing hay are all times where horses may colic. Typically, we see cases of large intestinal impactions in winter when the weather gets cold, as horses tend to be stabled more, and moving and drinking less. Encouraging your horse to drink more in colder temperatures by giving warm water or sweetening it with apple juice (where appropriate) can reduce the risk of an impaction colic.
Another way to reduce risk is to keep them moving - winter turnout is not possible in all cases, but even a few hours in the arena, or a hack out can help keep their guts moving.
So what do you do if you think your horse might have colic? Firstly, it’s important to know what is normal for your own horse so that you can pick up on any abnormalities quickly and call your vet for advice. While you are waiting for the vet to arrive, the most important thing is to ensure your own safety and that of other people on the yard.
If your horse is down and rolling it’s best to stand back and let them, as attempting to get them up is dangerous and won’t benefit them. If your horse is standing and seems stable, gentle walking can help to ease discomfort, but you don’t want to exhaust them.
A short period of walking followed by rest is much more productive than running them around the arena. When walking your horse make sure to wear a hat and gloves and keep them on a lunge line so you can get to a safe distance if they go down. Take away any access to food but ensure water is available and, if possible, bringing them to a well lit area is ideal for the vet to do a thorough exam.