Colic in Horses - FAQs

What is colic?

Colic simply means a pain in the belly and therefore there can be 101 reasons for this. Most of these reasons relate to the gastrointestinal tract but very occasionally the pain may be arising from a kidney (renal colic), the liver, or a host of other places. Colic can be life-threatening so call the vet straight away.

What are the signs of colic?

Horses with a belly ache may exhibit restlessness, sweating, pawing at the ground with one of their forelimbs, kicking at their belly with a hindlimb, getting up and down, “flehmen” (curling their top lip), lying down more than usual, groaning, and rolling.

What are the most common causes of colic?

Vets always ask about: (1) dentistry - “when was your horse’s teeth last attended to?” Your veterinary dentist should be attending to your horse’s teeth every 6-12 months depending on their age and other factors. Teeth problems can lead to poor chewing and so food can enter the gut coarser than it should be and end up blocking the bowel. (2) worming - intestinal parasites are a common cause of colic as they can block the bowel, irritate the lining of the bowel or interfere with the bowel’s blood supply. (3) nutrition - changes in feed can cause colic and therefore all changes should be made very gradually.

Should I walk my horse during a bout of colic?

As a general rule, while you are waiting for the vet to arrive, it is a good idea to walk your horse during a bout of colic as the movement can sometimes stimulate gut activity which helps push things along a bit. Walking is also recommended if the pain is causing the horse to want to get up and down or roll because it may prevent the horse from damaging itself. Some horses with severe pain, such as from a twisted bowel, can really knock themselves around, and very quickly end up looking like they have been around the ring with Mike Tyson.

Why do vets pass a tube through the horse’s nose and into the stomach?

Horses cannot vomit. In some situations, particularly when the bowel is blocked, the stomach can fill-up with backed-up fluid and gas. If this pressure is not relieved by passage of a nasogastric tube, the stomach can rupture and this will lead rapidly to death. In some situations, laxatives will be introduced into the stomach via the tube and this will help in resolving food blockages of the bowel known as impactions.

Mark Ethell BVSc MVetClinStud MACVSc Diplomate ACVS
Specialist in Equine Surgery, Canberra Equine Hospital
www.canberravet.com.au