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Equine Colic

Alt. Names: Gas colic, Impaction colic, Displacement colic, Sand colic, Bellyache

This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly.

Definition of Equine Colic

There are several types of Colics with different causes:
Entrapment Colic – caused by colonic motility dysfunction or an accumulation of gas.
Gas Colic – caused when a horse ingests forage that is high in sugar, causing excessive fermentation in the gut, creating a buildup of gas.
Impaction Colic – caused by an obstruction in the bowel due to dry, firm feed or foreign materials
Sand Colic – caused by the ingestion of large quantities of soil.
Spasmodic Colic – caused by worms, deworming, changes in diet, excitement, stress, heightened activity, and excessive cold water intake.
Strangulation Colic – caused when the blood supply to an intestine area is cut off.

Symptoms of Colic in Horses

  • Rolling
  • Stiff
  • Recumbency (Laying often)
  • Dog-sitting
  • Repeated Stretching
  • Kicking / Biting Stomach
  • Pacing
  • Stiff Legs
  • Pawing
  • Camped under or camped out
  • Excessive Sweating
  • Low Appetite
  • Infrequent Gut Sounds
  • Diarrhea
  • No Passing
  • Fecal water
  • Bloated
  • High Heart Rate
  • High Respiration
  • Flared nostrils
  • Dull
  • Depressed
  • Stressed
  • Anxious
  • Flehmen

Treatment of Colic in Horses

The underlying medical cause for the colic symptoms must be identified.

Medical treatment for colic may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antispasmodics medication to alleviate pain and inflammation. The administration of fluids, electrolytes, and/or mineral oil via the nasogastric tube. If the horse does not improve with medications or treatments given, then hospital or surgical care may be required for treatment.

Prevention of Colic in Horses

Establish a daily routine – including feeding and exercise schedules – Feed a high-quality diet comprised primarily of roughage. Avoid feeding excessive grain and energy-dense supplements. Divide daily concentrate rations into two or more, smaller feedings. Float your horse’s teeth every six months Set up a regular parasite control program. Provide exercise and/or turnout daily. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils. Reduce stress.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

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