Overview
Colic is a potentially fatal condition of a horse's digestive system. There are three main causes--trapped gas, eating too much or a blockage in the intestines. Since a horse can't throw up, once something is in the digestive system, it is there to stay. Colic often happens to a horse that lives on sandy soil and can't help but swallow sand when grazing. If your horse starts to experience these symptoms, call the vet.
Restlessness
One of the first symptoms of colic is that a horse will turn to look at his sides, as if he is expecting to find someone or something causing the pain. He may even try to bite or kick his sides. The horse gets restless. He may stretch out his hind legs as if he needs to urinate. He may walk around and around the stall. He may paw and stamp. He will often try to lie down and roll.
Sweating
Colic is very painful. This can make a horse upset, which leads to sweating. This usually starts out as damp, dark patches but can lead to dripping or foaming sweat if the pain intensifies. Sweating can also be a sign of infection or internal injury. If the horse's intestines twist in his attempt to roll for relief, the blood supply can cut off to parts of his gut and it may lead to serious injury. Once that part no longer functions, it needs to be surgically removed.
Silence in the Gut
Put your ear up against the horse's flank. A healthy horse will always have a rumbling or gurgling going on. But a horse with colic will give off only silence. This is a very bad symptom.
High Pulse Rate
Because of the pain and the stress, a horse with colic will have a noticeable elevated pulse. A normal pulse for a horse at rest is about 30 to 40 beats per minute. A horse with colic will often have beats of 50 or more a minute. If the horse is too upset to have his pulse taken, don't bother, because you want to try and keep the horse as comfortable as possible.
Feel of Sides
The horse's abdomen will usually be distended, meaning he will look like he suddenly gained weight. When you feel the horse's sides, they will feel tight and firm under your hand. Some horses with colic will stand with their heads down trying unsuccessfully to push feces out. They may groan while doing this movement.
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