Colic

Colic is a term used to describe a pain within the tummy and can be life threatening so here is what to look out for.

Signs:

• Dullness, depression and lack of appetite
• Pawing at the ground, kicking or looking at their abdomen (flank-watching)      
• Restlessness, repeated standing and lying down             
• Excessive rolling and/or sweating

What to do:

• Ensure your own safety – horses with colic can sometimes react violently so be careful!
• Call the vet as soon as possible and take further advice, it can be hard to distinguish mild cases of colic from severe ones in the early stages
• Remove food and any objects such as buckets to stop any injuries        
• In mild cases, horses maybe walked gently to relieve pain. Otherwise, put horse in a suitable, safe place like a deep bedded stable, outdoor school or paddock until the vet arrives
• If your horse is rolling; do not try and stop them! It does not increase the risk of the gut from twisting but will increase the risk of you getting hurt!