Horse Colic in Horses — Causes, Types, Prevention & Care
Horse colic prevention is one of the most important areas of equine care — because colic is the leading cause of death in horses worldwide. The term colic refers to abdominal pain and covers a wide spectrum of digestive conditions, from mild gas build-up that resolves on its own to life-threatening intestinal torsions requiring emergency surgery. Understanding why horses are so prone to digestive problems, what causes colic, and how to prevent it can make a genuine difference to your horse's health and longevity.
Understanding Digestive Problems in Horses
Horses are more prone to digestive problems like colic or gastric ulcers than any other domesticated animals. This is because of their unique and incredibly sensitive digestive system and how stabled horses are fed.
The Unique Digestive System of Horses
The digestive system of a horse is made up of two main sections- the foregut comprising the stomach and small intestine and the hindgut which comprises the caecum and colon, collectively called the large intestine. The stomach of the horse is relatively small and can moderately digest simple carbohydrates found in grains. The long and narrow small intestine further digests food and absorbs vitamins and minerals. The small intestine opens into the large intestine which is the site of fermentation and breakdown of complex carbohydrates that come from forage like grasses and hay. The gut flora found in the hindgut is responsible for the fermentation of complex carbohydrates. The horse, by nature, is a foraging animal and its digestive system is designed to transfer its natural food (grass and hay) to the hindgut as quickly as possible. Chewing of forage stimulates the flow of copious quantities of saliva which helps buffer the stomach against acids and maintain a healthy pH. Without sufficient forage the acidity of the gut can become too high, risking damage to the stomach lining and the rest of the digestive tract causing problems like gastric ulcers and colic.
Horses do better when fed small quantities of low-calorie high fiber food on a regular basis. Giving a large quantity of grain rich diet containing simple sugars can cause an upset in the pH of the gut because of excessive fermentation by gut microbes. This imbalance can lead to diarrhoea, laminitis and colic.
Colic in Horses
Colic is a broad term for abdominal pain & encompasses a variety of problems ranging from pain due to excessive gas to life-endangering intestinal torsions. In many cases though painful and causing discomfort to the horse, the digestive system rights itself with time and without too much medical intervention. Serious intestinal disruptions like blockages, twists (torsion) and ruptures can be fatal without fast medical action and/or surgery to remove or repair the damaged part is successful.
Signs of Colic
The typical signs include:
- Pawing the ground
- Kicking or biting the flank
- Repeatedly lying down and getting up
- Rolling
- Sweating
- Curling the upper lip
- Dullness & depression
- Increased breathing
- Stretching hind legs far behind
- Inappetance
Causes of Colic
Some of the common causes of colic are:
- High grain/ low forage diets
- Mouldy or contaminated feed
- Abrupt change in feed
- Parasite infestation
- Lack of adequate water
- Ingestion of sand
- Stress
- Long-term use of NSAIDs
- Obesity
Types of Colic
- Gas Colic: It occurs when there is an excessive gas build up within the intestines and causes a lot of flatulence.
- Spasmodic Colic: This is the result of intestinal cramps or spasms.
- Impaction Colic: This happens when semi or partially digested feed builds up in the large intestine and stops moving causing a blockage or impaction. Horses with impaction colic do not pass dung.
- Sand Colic: Occurs when horses are fed from sandy floor. Fine particles of sand get ingested with the food and can build up causing colic.
- Twisted Gut: Can occur when a portion of the intestine twists (torsion) on itself or inverts into itself (intussusception). This type of colic is not very common but is very serious and life threatening.
- Displacement/ Entrapment Colic: This happens when a portion of the intestine moves from its normal location. If the displacement cannot move back to its location it becomes as entrapment. Neither is very common but can be potentially life threatening and need immediate surgical treatment.
- Strangulation Colic: Another uncommon but very serious and life threatening type which occurs when the blood supply to an area of the intestine is cut off or ‘strangulated’ causing death of the intestinal wall.
Prevention of Colic
While it may not be possible to guarantee your horse a colic-free life, there are certain precautions that you can take to minimize instances.
Forage
This is by far the most important step necessary to avoid colic. Feed at least 50%- 60% of the daily ration as good quality forage (hay or pasture grazing)
Water
Provide access to clean fresh drinking water at all times
Feeding Program
Feed your horse on a regular schedule and do not make sudden changes to his diet. Gradual change to the diet allows the gut microbes or bacteria to adjust to the change.
Exercise
Make sure your horse gets adequate exercise. Research has shown that horses who spend a large part of their day confined to stalls are more prone to abdominal stress.
Grains
If possible, avoid grains as much as you can. If you have to include grains in the diet, give in small and more frequent portions that allow the small intestine to digest the carbohydrates properly, preventing acidosis that can cause colic.
High Energy
In cases of horses who have higher energy requirements, give a high-energy, high-fiber diet when more calories are needed.
Parasite Control
Follow a regular deworming and parasite control program for your horse
Sand Control
Keep feed off the ground to prevent ingestion of sand by giving the feed in a suitable container. Forage can be provided in a hay net.
Supplements
Supplements play an important supporting role in digestive health — Venttura EQUImega+ provides omega-3 fatty acids to reduce gut inflammation, and Venttura EQUIhance+ supports overall digestive health, immunity, and recovery in horses.
Frequently Asked Questions — Horse Colic Prevention
Q1. What are the first signs of colic in a horse?
Recognising colic early significantly improves treatment outcomes — and in severe cases can save your horse's life. The earliest signs are often subtle behavioural changes — your horse may seem dull, depressed, or disinterested in food. As discomfort increases, more obvious signs appear including pawing the ground repeatedly, kicking or biting at the flank, looking back at the abdomen, repeatedly lying down and getting up, rolling, sweating without exercise, stretching the hind legs far behind, and increased breathing rate. Some horses curl their upper lip — a behaviour called the Flehmen response — which can also indicate abdominal discomfort. If your horse shows any combination of these signs, call your veterinarian immediately. Never wait to see if colic resolves on its own — what appears to be mild gas colic can escalate rapidly into a life-threatening condition.
Q2. What causes colic in horses most commonly?
The most common causes of colic in horses are dietary and management related. High-grain, low-forage diets are among the leading causes — excess grain ferments rapidly in the hindgut, disrupting pH balance and causing gas, acidosis, and inflammation. Sudden changes in feed — whether switching hay types, introducing new grain, or moving from dry lot to pasture — can disrupt the gut microbiome and trigger spasmodic or impaction colic. Inadequate water intake is another major cause, particularly in winter when horses drink less — dehydration leads to impaction as feed becomes too dry to move through the intestine. Parasite infestations, ingestion of sand from ground feeding, prolonged stabling without exercise, and long-term NSAID use are all additional risk factors. Understanding these causes allows horse parents to make targeted management changes that significantly reduce colic risk.
Q3. How can I prevent colic in my horse?
The most effective colic prevention strategy centres on forage-first feeding, consistent routine, and good management practices. Feed at least 50 to 60% of your horse's daily ration as high-quality hay or pasture — the fiber in forage stimulates saliva production that buffers stomach acid and supports healthy gut pH. Always provide constant access to clean, fresh water — even in winter. Never make sudden changes to your horse's diet — any feed transition should happen gradually over 7 to 14 days to allow gut bacteria to adjust. Minimise grain feeding and when grains are necessary, feed small frequent portions rather than large single meals. Ensure your horse gets regular daily exercise — horses confined to stalls for extended periods are significantly more prone to digestive stress. Follow a regular deworming and parasite control program, and feed from containers rather than the ground to prevent sand ingestion.
Q4. When is horse colic an emergency?
While mild cases of gas or spasmodic colic may resolve with veterinary treatment and monitoring, certain signs indicate a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgical intervention. Call your vet as an emergency if your horse shows violent, uncontrollable rolling that cannot be stopped — this can cause the intestine to twist. Persistent colic that does not improve within 30 to 60 minutes of initial veterinary treatment, complete absence of gut sounds on both sides of the abdomen, no passage of droppings for 12 or more hours, a heart rate above 60 beats per minute, or pale and tacky gums all indicate severe compromise. Twisted gut, strangulation colic, and displacement colic are all surgical emergencies with a narrow window for intervention — delay significantly reduces survival rates. When in doubt, always call your veterinarian immediately rather than waiting.
Q5. What supplements help prevent colic in horses?
Several supplements support digestive health and reduce colic risk in horses. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce intestinal inflammation and support gut lining integrity — Venttura EQUImega+ provides a comprehensive omega fatty acid profile formulated for Indian horses. Probiotics and prebiotics help maintain a healthy hindgut microbiome — particularly important after antibiotic treatment, feed changes, or periods of stress. Vitamin E supports gut tissue repair and immune function, which is particularly valuable for horses recovering from digestive disturbances. Psyllium husk supplements administered periodically help clear sand accumulation from the hindgut in horses at risk of sand colic. Venttura EQUIhance+ provides comprehensive digestive and immune support formulated for the unique challenges of Indian equine management. Always consult your equine veterinarian before starting any supplement, particularly if your horse has a history of recurring colic.
Conclusion
Since the digestive system of a horse is complex and delicate many practical steps can be taken to improve digestive health. Even the smallest details can make a large difference. In the overall picture, a healthy horse is a happy horse and able to perform to his best ability.
Also read: Horse Nutrition Guide — Diet, Supplements & Care Tips