Warning after pony fed bread by walkers develops colic
‘I’m trying to raise awareness that what people might think is a nice little treat could actually be a death sentence’
Colic in horses
Colic in horses is a term used to describe all types of abdominal pain in horses. It can affect horses of all ages and types, and can vary from a mild bout of discomfort that resolves itself to something more serious that requires medical management, or most dramatically a serious abdominal crisis requiring surgery. Every year hundred of horses lose their lives to colic, with some high profile top competition horses among them.
Most colic cases are successfully cured medically, but between 5-10% will require emergency colic surgery. It is difficult to know which colic case fits into which category, as in the early stages the clinical signs are the same. Therefore it is vital that a vet is called promptly so they can give expert advice and start appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. Any colic that requires surgical intervention has a much better chance of success if surgery happens as soon as possible.
Types of colic in horses
• Spasmodic colic
• Impaction colic
• Torsion or twisted gut
• Sand colic
Other related topics
• Causes of summer colic
• Care after colic surgery
• Horse has colic: what to do while you wait for your vet
• Can eating frosty grass cause colic?
• Colic in veteran horses
• How to avoid winter colic
• Peritonitis
• Idiopathic focal eosinophilic enteritis
• Pedunculated lipoma
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‘A true champion who fought and fought': Roaring Lion put down after battle with colic
The superstar horse has lost his battle with colic following numerous operations
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Roaring Lion recovering after second colic operation
The superstar Flat racer, who retired to stud at the end of last year, had 25% of his small intestine removed in a second emergency colic operation
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Roaring Lion in early stages of recovery after emergency colic surgery
The 2018 Cartier Horse of The Year underwent surgery while standing at stud in New Zealand
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‘She was one in a million’: star mare loses battle with colic
‘She had a beautiful character, a very kind filly and everybody just adored her’
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Rider and horse overcome spinal and colic surgery to take two wins
‘Nothing’s going to stop me now, and if I can do it, anyone can’
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Rider pays tribute to silver medal-winning horse lost to colic
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Colic: what to do while you wait for the vet
Being a horse owner is an emotional rollercoaster — and never more so than when you're faced with a bout of colic
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New faecal test aims to help prevent colic
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Experts join forces in the fight against colic
’Colic is the most common emergency in the horse and can involve some really difficult decisions for owners’
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Owners warned to be vigilant for colic signs as freezing weather hits
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‘Heartbreak’ as colic kills retired police horse
Romulus served with Thames Valley Police for eight years and received two chief constable commendations
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Rio Olympic team gold medal-winning horse dies, aged 13: ‘He was my faithful friend’
His rider and owner have paid tribute to a horse who won medals at European and Olympic level and was placed at four-star
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Pedunculated lipoma: a common cause of surgical colic in horses
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Sand colic in horses: spotting the typical signs
Ingested sand that settles in a horse’s stomach can cause sudden and potentially serious colic, which could result in surgery, reports Andrea Oakes
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‘I’ve lost my best buddy’: Tributes paid to HOYS champion
The seven-year-old was crowned HOYS maxi cob of the year last season
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Busting the myths surrounding colic in horses
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Winter colic: owners warned after a spate of calls
The British Horse Society said many owners have been in touch in recent weeks
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Colic claims life of top para dressage rider’s ‘amazing’ horse
The para dressage multi-medallist has paid tribute to her ‘amazing’ competition horse, who was long-listed for the Beijing Olympics
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'He was the most exceptional jumper’: Grand National hero Amberleigh House dies of colic
The diminutive gelding, who won the 2004 Grand National for the late Ginger McCain, has died aged 25.
