Practical Guide to Preventing Colic in Horses

Updated: June 2026 · Guidance information only; does not replace veterinary judgment.

Colic is the leading cause of preventable mortality in horses worldwide. It is not a specific disease but a symptom of abdominal pain with diverse causes. Some colics resolve with simple medical treatment; others require surgery and can be fatal. Prevention is the most effective tool.

Why Horses Are Vulnerable

The horse's digestive system has several particularities that make it sensitive:

Small stomach relative to the animal's size. Designed to eat small amounts continuously, not large meals.
Very long small intestine (over 20 meters).
Large intestine with several turns and folds that can twist.
The horse cannot vomit: any digestive problem manifests forward.
Sensitivity to diet and management changes.

Factors That Increase Colic Risk

Feeding Management

Abrupt changes in diet (type of feed, quantity, brand).
Lack of sufficient forage (horses need to eat continuously).
Meals that are too large and spaced out.
Poor quality or spoiled feed (moisture, mold).
Ingestion of bedding (excessive straw, shavings).
Lack of water or dirty water.
Very low water temperature in winter (reduces intake).

Management and Environment

Stress (transport, stable changes, separation from companions).
Abrupt change in activity (long break from exercise or sudden increase).
Intense work immediately after eating.
Sudden access to very green pastures or frozen grass.
Exposure to abundant sand (sand colic).

Parasitism

High intestinal parasite load can cause lesions that predispose to colic. An appropriate deworming program, guided by a veterinarian and fecal analyses, is basic prevention.

Dental Problems

Horses with poor teeth chew forage less effectively, which reaches the intestine less triturated and predisposes to obstructions. Regular dental check-ups are preventive.

Good Practices That Reduce Risk

Feeding

Ensure quality forage is available most of the day.
Divide feed rations into at least 2-3 meals.
Always make dietary changes progressively (7-10 days mixing new feed with regular feed).
Clean and abundant water. In winter, warm water if possible (horses drink more).
Avoid feed suspected of being damp or moldy.
Controlled pasture access, especially in spring (introduce gradually).

Exercise and Routine

Maintain a stable daily routine. Abrupt changes cause stress.
Do not subject the horse to intense work immediately after eating.
Daily turnout or light exercise.
Scheduled rest periods, not long abrupt breaks after an intense season.

Veterinary Management

Deworming according to veterinary guidelines with periodic analyses.
Dental check-ups every 6-12 months.
Up-to-date vaccinations.
Attention to any behavioral changes.

How to Recognize Colic

Colic symptoms vary in intensity. It is important to know the most common signs to act promptly.

Initial Symptoms

Apathy or sudden loss of appetite.
Restlessness, continuous movement in the stall.
Looking at the flank or trying to bite the side.
Repeatedly pawing the ground with a front hoof.
Strange stretching as if trying to urinate but not urinating.

More Severe Symptoms

Lying down and getting up repeatedly.
Rolling from side to side on the ground.
Sweating without apparent physical exertion.
Elevated heart and respiratory rate.
Pale or very dark gums (sign of shock or circulatory problem).
Visible abdominal distension.
Kicking the ground with hind legs towards the belly.

Any suspicion of colic requires immediately calling the veterinarian. Time is critical with colic.

What to Do While Waiting for the Veterinarian

Take the horse out of the stall if possible. Walk it gently at a slow pace. Movement can help relieve gas or mild discomfort.
Do not allow it to roll violently. Abrupt rolling can cause intestinal torsion.
Remove water and food. Until the veterinarian assesses. Ingestion can worsen some types of colic.
Do not administer medication on your own. Especially painkillers: they can mask the condition and complicate veterinary diagnosis.
Keep the horse on a surface with bedding. If it lies down, it should not be on hard ground.
Note the observed symptoms and time. Useful information for the veterinarian.

Types of Colic (Guidance Information)

There are many types. Some of the most common:

Gaseous colic. Accumulation of gas in the intestine. Usually resolves with medical treatment.
Impaction. Accumulation of food or matter in the intestine that obstructs transit. Medical treatment with tubing and fluids in most cases.
Torsion / intestinal displacement. Serious case. Usually requires surgical intervention.
Sand colic. In horses that graze or eat on sandy soils. Accumulation of sand in the intestine.
Nervous or stress colic. Associated with stressful situations. Usually resolves with management and, if necessary, veterinary sedatives.

The veterinarian determines the type and appropriate treatment. Equine surgery, when required, is costly (€3,000-8,000+) and does not guarantee recovery. That's why prevention is so important.

Supplementation That Can Help

Some supplements are aimed at digestive health. The choice should be guided by an equine veterinarian.

Probiotics and prebiotics. To maintain a healthy intestinal flora. Useful after antibiotic treatments or in stressful situations.
Psyllium. Fiber that helps move sand in horses at risk of sand colic.
Linseed oil. Provides fatty acids that can aid intestinal lubrication.

No supplement prevents all colics. Proper management and feeding are the most important.

Special Cases

Older Horses

Higher risk due to worn teeth, reduced chewing ability, accumulated parasites, metabolic problems. Special attention to soft feed if teeth require it.

Pregnant Mares

Colic in pregnant mares is particularly delicate. Any suspicion requires immediate attention.

After Long Transport

Transport dehydrates and stresses. Ensure the horse drinks well upon arrival and rests before resuming routine.

Stable Changes

Gradual adaptation to the new facility's feed. Ask the previous facility for exact ration details to make a progressive transition.