Respond to Signs of Colic in Horses

As a horse owner, understanding and recognizing the signs of colic in your horse is crucial. Colic, a common and often serious condition, can manifest in various ways and knowing your horse's normal behaviors can make all the difference.

Before diving into the signs of colic, let’s detail what colic is and how it impacts your horse. Caused by any number of factors, colic can be categorized by impaction colic, when feed materials build up in the gut of the horse, and gas colic, when the microbes in the colon excessively produce amounts of gas. A shift in the colon can cause the intestines to flip or twist, leading to impactions and gas buildup. When the colon twists, emergency surgery is immediately required. Ulcers, poor motility and blood supply also contribute to the all-too-common condition.

Early Detection Is Key

The key to early colic detection is to know your horse. Sometimes, the signs of colic are subtle. Owners have called me saying their horse didn't eat one night but wasn't showing any other distressing signs like rolling. In these cases, understanding your horse's regular eating habits is critical. If they usually rush to eat and suddenly don't, this is a red flag.

Some horses, like in this example, can be quite stoic and won't display signs of pain as easily. A more stoic horse might just go off of feed, stand stiffly, shift their weight occasionally and give subtle signs like a small kick to their belly or bite at their sides. Others might be more distressed and roll, sweat excessively and kick at their belly when in pain. Recognizing these nuances can make a significant difference in identifying colic early.

If you notice mild signs and suspect your horse may be experiencing colic, immediately bring him to a confined area to closely monitor him. Watch for any change in attitude, signs of pain or manure output.

If your horse continues to display these symptoms and act abnormally, call your veterinarian. And if you have not observed your horse in several hours and notice these symptoms, immediately contact your veterinarian, as it is possible your horse has experienced colic for an extended period of time. While waiting for the vet, it's crucial to keep your horse moving. Walking can help alleviate some cases of colic, and it's essential to prevent them from rolling, as this can exacerbate the condition or lead to more severe issues like a twisted intestine.

At the first symptom displayed, identify your horse’s heart rate by placing a stethoscope tightly under the horse's elbow and listening for the beats. Knowing their heart rate can tell you whether they're experiencing colic or not, especially if you have a horse who is really quiet, standing in the back of his stall and not rolling. Not everyone owns a stethoscope, but it's a handy tool for horse owners to have on hand. Typically, an adult horse's heart rate should be between 28 to 48 beats per minute. This can be naturally higher in foals. Anything over 40 could indicate pain in adult horses, and as a rule of thumb, we are taught that any heart rate over 60 means that it's a surgical colic case and the horse needs colic surgery right away. In this case, get your horse to a university veterinary hospital or equine specialty hospital that can perform surgery as soon as possible.

Preventative Measures

There are also several preventative steps you can take to minimize the risk of colic. In the winter, for example, when mornings are cooler, horses are less likely to drink before eating, which can cause choke and heighten risk for impaction colic. You can help reduce risk by ensuring horses always have access to water. A helpful solution to prevent water intake concerns during the cold weather is to provide horses with a sole heated water source and remove their access to cold or icy water. A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found that horses consumed 41% more water when provided continuously heated water than when provided ambient near-freezing water.

Before an emergency arises, consult with your local veterinarian about having emergency pain relief medication on hand, like Banamine. These can be invaluable for managing pain and inflammation until professional help arrives. But remember, always use these medications under the guidance of your veterinarian to ensure you're administering the correct dosage.