If you own horses long enough, you'll eventually hear that word that makes every horse owner's stomach drop: colic. It's one of the most common reasons horse owners call us, and honestly, that's a good thing. Colic can range from a mild, self-resolving bellyache to a true emergency, and knowing what to do in those first crucial minutes can make all the difference.
Here's what we want every horse owner to know.
First, What Is Colic, Really?
"Colic" isn't a disease, it's a symptom. It just means your horse is showing signs of abdominal pain. The cause could be something as simple as gas building up in the gut, or something more serious like a twist or blockage. That's exactly why we take every colic call seriously, even the ones that turn out to be minor.
Signs to Watch For
Some horses are dramatic about pain. Others try to hide it. Here's what to look for:
Pawing at the ground
Looking at, biting, or kicking at the belly
Lying down more than usual, or trying to roll
Not interested in food or water
Sweating without exertion
Stretching out like they're trying to urinate but not producing much
Fewer or no manure piles in the stall or pasture
Restlessness: pacing, getting up and down repeatedly
If you notice any of these, don't panic, but don't ignore it either.
What to Do in the First 30 Minutes
1. Check the vitals.
If you can safely do so, take your horse's heart rate, gum color, and gut sounds. A normal resting heart rate is usually 28-44 beats per minute. Gums should be a healthy pink and moist. Gut sounds (you can listen with your ear or a stethoscope against the flank) should be present on all four quadrants. Silence is actually more concerning than loud gurgling.
2. Remove food, but leave water.
Take away hay and grain so nothing else moves through a potentially compromised gut. Fresh water can usually stay available unless we tell you otherwise.
3. Keep them gently moving.
Hand-walking can help stimulate gut motility and distract a horse from trying to roll. A horse that wants to roll violently or thrash, though, is telling you this is serious. Don't put yourself at risk trying to keep them up.
4. Call us. Don't wait it out.
This is the one we can't stress enough. A lot of owners want to "give it some time" before calling, hoping it resolves on its own. We'd always rather get a call for a mild colic that turns out to be nothing than get a call three hours in when a horse has gone from uncomfortable to critical. Time matters enormously with colic. Some cases can go from manageable to surgical in a matter of hours.
What NOT to Do
Don't give banamine or other medication without talking to us first. It can mask pain and make it harder for us to accurately assess what's going on when we arrive.
Don't force a horse to keep walking if they're truly distressed or dangerous to handle. Your safety matters too.
Don't assume mild symptoms mean a mild problem. Some of the most serious colics start out looking pretty unremarkable.
When It's a True Emergency
Call immediately, day or night, if you see:
Repeated, violent rolling or thrashing
Heart rate consistently above 60 bpm
Pale, dark red, or purple gums
Absolute refusal to stand or extreme distress
No gut sounds at all
The Bottom Line
Colic is scary, but it's also incredibly common, Most horses will have at least one episode in their lifetime, and the vast majority resolve without surgery. The best thing you can do as an owner is know your horse's normal baseline (their resting heart rate, typical manure output, usual demeanor) so you can spot when something's off quickly. And when in doubt, call.
Is your horse showing signs? Give us a call. We're happy to help.
This blog is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Every horse is an individual, and what is right for one may not be right for another. Reading this post does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. If you believe your horse is experiencing an emergency, call Arrowhead Veterinary Services right away. For all other concerns, contact us to create a treatment plan tailored to your horse.
