Know the signs, risks and the true cost of colic in horses

Colic is one of the most common medical emergencies affecting horses and remains one of the leading reasons for emergency veterinary call-outs worldwide. While the word “colic” often creates understandable concern among horse owners, it’s important to remember that colic isn’t a disease itself. Rather, it is a term used to describe abdominal pain, with causes ranging from mild digestive upset through to life-threatening intestinal twists requiring emergency surgery.

At Petcover Australia, we’ve been supporting horse owners across the country for decades and understand that colic is one of the most common and concerning conditions affecting horses. That’s why our Equine Insurance plans have been designed to help provide peace of mind, with cover available for eligible veterinary expenses relating to colic.

The good news is that most horses recover with prompt veterinary treatment. Recognising the early warning signs, acting quickly and following modern evidence-based management practices can make all the difference to your horse’s outcome.

Understanding colic

Unlike people, horses have a highly specialised digestive system that is both remarkable and vulnerable. Their gastrointestinal tract stretches more than 30 metres in length, much of their large intestine is only loosely attached within the abdomen, and they are physically unable to vomit. These anatomical features make horses particularly susceptible to digestive disturbances.

Colic simply means abdominal pain, and there are many different conditions that can cause it.

Common causes include:

• Gas accumulation
• Feed impactions
• Sand ingestion
• Sudden dietary changes
• Reduced water intake and dehydration
• Heavy parasite burdens
• Poor dentition affecting chewing
• Stress associated with transport or competition
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Intestinal displacement or torsion

In many cases, even after a thorough veterinary examination, the exact cause may never be identified.

The early signs every horse owner should know

One of the biggest challenges with colic is that the earliest signs can be subtle. Horses instinctively mask pain, meaning owners who know their horse’s normal behaviour are often the first to notice something isn’t quite right.

Early warning signs may include:

• Pawing at the ground
• Looking or biting at the flank
• Restlessness
• Repeatedly lying down and standing up
• Stretching as though trying to urinate
• Reduced appetite
• Passing less manure than usual
• Quiet or withdrawn behaviour

As the condition becomes more serious, horses may show:

• Persistent rolling
• Sweating
• Violent thrashing
• Rapid breathing
• Elevated heart rate
• Dark, red or purple gums
• Weakness or depression
• Difficulty standing

Any horse showing persistent or worsening signs should be assessed by a veterinarian immediately.

The cost of colic can add up quickly

While every case is different, colic can become one of the most expensive veterinary emergencies a horse owner faces.

Simple cases treated on the property may only require a veterinary visit and medication, while more serious cases can involve referral to a specialist equine hospital, advanced imaging, intensive care or emergency surgery.

Indicative Australian veterinary costs include:

Indicative costs only. Actual veterinary fees vary depending on your location, after-hours attendance, referral hospital, diagnostics required and the complexity of treatment.

What to do if you suspect colic

When it comes to colic, time matters.

If you suspect your horse may be experiencing abdominal pain, contact your veterinarian immediately. Remove hay and hard feed unless advised otherwise, while ensuring clean, fresh water remains available unless your veterinarian recommends restricting it.

Monitor your horse closely, noting when the signs began, whether they are changing and any manure production. If it is safe to do so, recording your horse’s temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate can provide valuable information for your veterinarian.

Avoid administering pain relief, sedatives or worming products unless specifically instructed by your veterinarian, as these medications may mask important clinical signs and make diagnosis more difficult.

Contrary to older advice, horses do not need to be walked continuously. Gentle walking may help if your horse is calm and comfortable, but prolonged walking is no longer routinely recommended. The priority is keeping both the horse and handlers safe while awaiting veterinary assessment.

How your veterinarian will diagnose colic

Because colic has many possible causes, your veterinarian’s first priority is determining whether the condition is likely to respond to medical treatment or requires emergency surgery.

A veterinary examination may include:

• A complete physical examination
• Assessment of heart rate, temperature and respiratory rate
• Evaluation of gum colour and hydration
• Listening to gut sounds
• Passing a stomach tube (nasogastric intubation) to relieve pressure and assess stomach contents
• A rectal examination
• Blood testing
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal fluid analysis where appropriate

Most horses recover without surgery

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding colic is that every horse will require surgery.

Fortunately, this is not the case.

The majority of horses recover successfully with medical treatment, which may include pain relief, intravenous fluids, electrolyte therapy, stomach decompression and careful monitoring.

However, surgery becomes necessary when the intestine becomes displaced, trapped or twisted, cutting off its blood supply. In these situations, rapid referral to an equine surgical hospital offers the best chance of survival.

Early intervention significantly improves outcomes.

Prevention starts with good everyday management

Although not every case of colic can be prevented, many of the known risk factors can be reduced through consistent management.

Feed consistently

The equine digestive system thrives on routine.

Veterinarians recommend:

• Feeding high-quality forage
• Introducing dietary changes gradually over 7 to 14 days
• Dividing concentrates into smaller meals
• Avoiding long periods without forage
• Providing unlimited access to clean, fresh water

Maintaining hydration is especially important during hot weather, travel and competition.

Adopt modern parasite management

Internal parasites remain an important contributor to certain forms of colic, particularly in younger horses.

However, veterinary recommendations have changed significantly over the past decade.

Routine calendar-based worming has largely been replaced by evidence-based parasite management that includes:

• Regular Faecal Egg Counts (FECs)
• Strategic deworming based on veterinary advice
• Good pasture hygiene
• Frequent manure removal
• Monitoring young horses more closely

This targeted approach helps protect horses while slowing the development of anthelmintic (wormer) resistance, an increasingly important issue recognised by veterinarians across Australia and internationally.

Don’t overlook dental care

Healthy digestion starts in the mouth.

Routine dental examinations help horses chew fibre effectively, reducing the risk of feed impactions and supporting efficient digestion.

Keep daily routines stable

Small management decisions can have a big impact on digestive health.

Maintaining regular exercise, encouraging water intake after travel, minimising unnecessary stress and monitoring manure production daily can all help reduce your horse’s risk of developing colic.

Early action can save your horse’s life

Colic remains one of the most common equine emergencies, but it doesn’t have to become a tragedy. Learning to recognise the early signs, acting quickly and working closely with your veterinarian gives your horse the best possible chance of a successful recovery.

While many cases resolve with prompt medical treatment, some require intensive care or emergency surgery, making preparation just as important as prevention. Good nutrition, effective parasite management, regular dental care, consistent routines and access to appropriate insurance can all play an important role in protecting your horse’s health and your peace of mind.

With Petcover’s Equine Insurance, eligible veterinary treatment for colic is included across our equine insurance plans, helping horse owners prepare for the unexpected so they can focus on what matters most – the health and wellbeing of their horse