Signs of Colic in Horses

What to look for, and what to do while you wait for the vet

Quick Answer

Colic is the term for abdominal pain in horses — it’s a symptom, not a single condition, and it has many possible causes
Common signs include pawing, repeated rolling or lying down, looking at the flank, sweating, and reduced or no droppings
Colic can range from mild and short-lived to life-threatening within hours
Always treat colic as an emergency until a vet has assessed your horse

Signs of Colic to Watch For

Pawing at the ground repeatedly
Lying down and getting up more than usual, or rolling
Turning to look at, biting, or kicking at the flank
Stretching out as if to urinate, without doing so
Sweating without obvious physical exertion or heat
Reduced appetite, or leaving feed untouched
Reduced, absent, or unusually dry droppings
A tense, “tucked up,” or visibly distended abdomen
Restlessness, an inability to settle, or unusual quietness

What Causes Colic in Horses

01 Gas colic Common

Build-up of gas in the gut can be linked to a sudden change in diet, rich spring grass, or feeding patterns. It often causes mild, short-lived discomfort.

02 Impaction colic

A blockage of feed material, often where the gut narrows, can be linked to insufficient water intake, coarse forage, or limited turnout. Signs may develop gradually over several hours.

03 Spasmodic colic

Increased gut motility causing cramping-type pain. This can be linked to stress, a change in routine, or parasite burden, and signs often come and go.

04 Torsion or displacement Surgical emergency

A twisted or displaced section of gut cuts off blood supply and is one of the most serious causes of colic. It typically causes intense, unrelenting pain that doesn’t settle.

This type of colic usually needs emergency surgery — early veterinary assessment makes a real difference to outcome.

05 Sand colic

Ingestion of sand or fine soil while grazing short or bare pasture can build up in the gut over time and may be linked to recurring, low-grade colic episodes.

Contact Your Vet Immediately

Violent, repeated, or uncontrollable rolling
Pain that isn’t easing, or is getting worse
A heart rate that’s notably elevated for your horse
No droppings passed for an extended period, alongside other colic signs
A visibly swollen or distended abdomen
Pale or off-colour gums, or signs of collapse

Colic can progress quickly. Call your vet straight away rather than waiting to see if it settles.

While You Wait for the Vet

Remove feed and hay — but leave water available unless your vet advises otherwise.
Keep your horse calm. A short, gentle walk in hand can help some horses, but don’t force or exhaust them.
Move to a safe space with good footing if your horse wants to lie down or roll, away from hard or sharp objects.
Monitor and note gum colour, heart rate if you’re able to check it, and how the signs change while you wait.
Stay close but stay safe — a horse in pain can move unpredictably.

Avoid

Don’t Do This

Don’t give any painkiller or sedative without veterinary advice — this can mask signs your vet needs to see
Don’t force a horse to keep walking if it’s clearly exhausted or distressed
Don’t assume mild signs will pass on their own without contacting your vet for advice first
Don’t withhold water unless specifically told to by your vet

When to Contact Your Vet

Any first episode of suspected colic, even if it seems mild
Repeated or recurring colic episodes over weeks or months
Colic alongside reduced or no droppings for several hours
Colic in a pregnant mare, a foal, or an older horse
You’re unsure whether what you’re seeing is colic at all

How Pet Med Direct Can Help

Once your vet has assessed your horse and identified a likely cause, ongoing management may include dietary adjustment, parasite control, or other supportive products recommended by your vet.

Pet Med Direct stocks a range of equine wellbeing and parasite control products to support your vet’s recommendations.

Some treatments require a valid veterinary prescription. Pet Med Direct can only supply prescription medicines after the prescription has been checked. Always follow your vet’s advice and the directions on the medicine label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all colic an emergency?

Treat every suspected colic episode as urgent until a vet has checked your horse. Some cases settle quickly, but it isn’t possible to tell mild and serious colic apart just by looking.

Can colic happen more than once?

Yes — some horses are prone to recurring colic. If this happens, mention the pattern to your vet, as it can point towards an underlying cause that needs investigating.

Should I let my horse roll if it has colic?

Gentle movement can help some horses, but violent or repeated rolling can be a sign of severe pain and a risk to the horse. Keep the area safe and call your vet rather than trying to stop rolling by force.

Does colic always cause visible pain?

Not always. Some horses, particularly with milder or chronic colic, may just go quiet, go off their feed, or seem subdued rather than showing obvious pain behaviour.

Can diet changes cause colic?

A sudden change in feed type, amount, or grazing — such as a sudden increase in rich spring grass — can be linked to colic. Introducing dietary changes gradually is generally recommended.

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This this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice.
If you are concerned with your dog’s health, please consult a qualified veterinarian.