Colic Symptoms in Horses

Horses are very delicate animals. Therefore, they are susceptible to equine colic. Colic in horses is somewhat different than the colic symptoms of an infant. While human babies will cry for hours at a time, the colicky horse will restlessly paw the ground, roll on the ground, grunt, sweat profusely, kick at the abdomen, look at its flank, nip its sides, or will suddenly drop for no apparent reason. This is the horse reacting to intense abdominal pain. 

Providing your horse with enough fresh water (10-12 gallons per day) is essential to keeping materials moving through the stomach, intestines and colon. Horses do not need large amounts of protein. They should get some grains, but the majority of their diet should come from roughage, like high-quality, dry hay and grass. Also be sure you're not changing feed abruptly or feeding your horse off the ground. Many times horses will pick up insoluble impediments like gravel, sand and fine grain powder that may create blockages. If your horse is suffering from colic symptoms, then go to the veterinarian immediately. You cannot treat this on your own!

In some cases, the horse may have gotten a build up of foreign impediments or injured itself somehow. Torsion and intussusception occurs when the horse's intestinal tract or colon twists in an uncomfortable way. With Epiploic Foramen Entrapment or "strangulation", a piece of the intestine traps blood flow to the digestive tract.

A third cause of colic in horses is "enteritis" or ulcerations caused by infections, inflammations or intestinal disease. Parasites -- like roundworm, tapeworm and cyathostome worms - can cause an obstruction or inflammation in your horse's intestines. In extreme cases, these worms can create tremendous blockages or organ rupturing.

Once you have noticed that your horse's abnormal behavior and suspected colic symptoms, check in with the vet to avoid thousands in surgery bills later. If caught in time, then most cases of equine colic can be treated with analgesic and antispasmodic medication, deworming or dietary changes. In some instances, organ contortion will require surgery, which is dangerous because of the shock risk. Equine colic is the leading cause of death for old horses and young foals, so recognizing symptoms early on is crucial!