Colic is a term used to describe a symptom of abdominal pain in horses, which is usually caused by problems in the gastrointestinal tract. There are over 70 different types of colic, and it is a common concern for horse owners because it is often unpredictable and frequently unpreventable. Horses are naturally prone to colic, and over 80% of colic types respond well to treatment on the farm.

The most common signs of colic in horses include frequently looking at their side, biting or kicking their flank or belly, lying down and/or rolling, little or no passing of manure, fecal balls smaller than usual, passing dry or mucus (slime)-covered manure, poor eating behavior, change in drinking behavior, and heart rate over 45 to 50 beats per minute. In mild cases, horses may display lip curling, flank watching, restlessness, and pawing the ground. In moderate cases, they may posture to urinate frequently, lie down and get back up, or lie on their side for long periods. In severe cases, horses may exhibit violent rolling, sweating, rapid breathing, and injuries to the body and face from rolling and thrashing around.

Colic can be caused by various factors, including high grain-based diets, low forage diets, moldy/tainted feed, abrupt change in feed, parasite infestation, lack of water consumption leading to impaction colics, sand ingestion, antibiotics, and dental problems. Strangulating colics occur when the blood supply to a piece of gut gets cut off, while torsions occur when the bowel twists on itself, cutting off the blood supply.

Colic is a potentially life-threatening disease, and if a horse displays moderate or severe symptoms, they will need urgent veterinary attention and possibly referral to a hospital. If a horse displays mild symptoms of colic, owners can try walking them around (do not canter or trot) for no more than ten minutes. If symptoms persist for more than 30 minutes or are more severe, owners should contact a veterinarian immediately. With appropriate and timely treatment, the prognosis for medical colics is very good to excellent, and for surgical colics that receive immediate treatment is good to excellent.