Signs of Colic in Horses: How UK Owners Can Spot Trouble Early

Colic is one of the most feared words in any UK yard — and for good reason. It's the leading medical cause of death in horses, but spotting the signs early can make all the difference. This guide walks you through what to watch for, what to do, and how to reduce the risk on your own yard.

What Is Colic and Why Should UK Owners Be Worried?

Colic isn't a single condition — it's a catch-all term for abdominal pain in horses. Causes range from a simple gas build-up to twisted intestines that require emergency surgery at a referral hospital like Liphook Equine Hospital, Rossdales in Newmarket, or the Royal Veterinary College in Hatfield.

UK horses are particularly prone during seasonal transitions — think the move from stable to spring grass around March and April 2026, or sudden weather drops in autumn. Sand colic is also a growing concern in sandy regions like parts of Norfolk and the New Forest.

Because colic can escalate from mild discomfort to life-threatening within hours, knowing the signs intimately is non-negotiable for any responsible owner.

Early Warning Signs to Watch For

Subtle behavioural changes are often the first clue. A horse that's normally enthusiastic at feed time but suddenly leaves their hard feed — a Spillers Conditioning Mash or Baileys No.4, for instance — should set off alarm bells.

Look for:

• Reduced or absent droppings (count them when you muck out) • Pawing at the ground or repeatedly looking at their flank • Restlessness, pacing the box, or unable to settle • Curling the upper lip (Flehmen response) more than usual • Lying down more often, or getting up and down repeatedly • Sweating without obvious cause • Reduced gut sounds when you press your ear to the flank

Many owners find that catching one or two of these subtle signs — rather than waiting for full-blown rolling — gives the vet a much better chance of treating colic medically rather than surgically.

Severe Signs That Need Emergency Vet Attention

If your horse is showing any of the following, ring your vet immediately — don't wait to see if it passes:

• Violent rolling or thrashing • Kicking at the belly repeatedly • Heart rate above 60 beats per minute (a normal resting rate is around 28–44 bpm) • Pale, dark red, or purple gums, or capillary refill time over 2 seconds • Distended, bloated abdomen • Reflux from the nostrils (a very serious sign) • Complete loss of interest in surroundings or appearing 'switched off'

While waiting for the vet, remove all food, keep water available, and only walk the horse gently if they're trying to throw themselves down dangerously. Don't exhaust them by walking for hours — that's an outdated approach. Modern advice from the BHS and BEVA is to allow the horse to rest if they're standing quietly.

How to Check Your Horse's Vital Signs

Every UK owner should know how to take basic vitals — your vet will ask for them on the phone. A digital thermometer (around £8–£15 from Robinsons or Equine Superstore), a stethoscope, and a watch are all you need.

Normal parameters: temperature 37.2–38.3°C, heart rate 28–44 bpm, respiration 8–16 breaths per minute, gums pink and moist, capillary refill under 2 seconds. Practise on your horse when they're well so you have a personal baseline.

Apps like Horse Side Vet Guide are useful for double-checking what you're seeing, but they're never a substitute for calling your vet.

Reducing the Risk of Colic on Your Yard

Prevention isn't foolproof, but small changes drastically lower risk. Provide constant access to fresh water — frozen troughs in winter are a classic colic trigger. Feed plenty of forage (ideally ad-lib hay or haylage) and make any feed changes gradually over 7–10 days.

Stick to a consistent worming programme using faecal egg counts from providers like Westgate Labs or EquiSal, rather than blanket dosing. Ensure regular dental checks every 6–12 months with a BAEDT-qualified equine dental technician, as poor mastication is a leading cause of impaction colic.

Finally, manage turnout carefully when grass is growing rapidly in spring, and avoid feeding on sandy ground — use rubber mats or hay nets instead.

Colic can be terrifying, but informed owners save lives every day by acting quickly. Get to know your horse's normal behaviour and vital signs, trust your gut when something feels off, and never feel embarrassed to ring your vet — most would far rather a false alarm than a late call. Keep your vet's number on your phone, share it with everyone on the yard, and consider running through a colic emergency plan with your livery mates this spring.