The presentation of these acute and intense pains that originate in the gastrointestinal tract – if not treated in time – can even cause death. It is therefore important that appropriate measures be taken to avoid their appearance and if these fail, to recognize the symptoms.

The horse is the domestic species that most frequently suffers from gastrointestinal colic. Those in contact with work horses, sports horses or involved in breeding horses are only too aware of the serious sequelae of colic in horses, either because their horses have previously suffered or died from colic, since colic is a frequent cause of mortality in horses.
Colic may be defined as the presentation of an acute, intense and in some cases exhausting pain that has its origin in the gastrointestinal tract. The perception of pain by animals and its appropriate treatment is currently known to Veterinary Science. In the case of colic in a horse, it is known that pain is accompanied by a series of abnormal symptoms that affect the circulatory system, the respiratory system and the hydroelectrolitic balance. If no fast, effective measures are taken the animal becomes dehydrated and goes into shock and dies.
The main reason for colic being frequent in horses is due to multiple and varied causes, the following being the most important:

• The anatomical characteristics of horses: the digestive tract is made up of an intestine of about 30 to 35 metres length with large variations in diameter. To this must be added a stomach with a reduced capacity (8-15 litres) with very rapid gastric transit times, so that the stomach is emptied several times a day of its contents: food, water, saliva and gastric juices, and therefore some food is sent on to the intestine without being sufficiently digested.
• Mistakes in the feed provided: basically in the quantity and quality of a feed given to a horse. No sudden changes should be made in feed, for example, such as occurs when a horse on pasture is suddenly given a grain ration.
• Inappropriate management practices: such as excessive exercise, allowing a horse to catch cold or giving it large quantities of cold water.
• As a consequence of other diseases, infectious diseases or diseases that affect the urinary, reproductive, cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory or musculosqueletal system.
• Parasite diseases.
• Intestinal problems that cause obstruction of normal intestinal transit, for example torsion or volvulus.
• Stomach problems such as dilatation or rupture.
• Mastication defects. Mastication must be slow and careful, the mouth must be healthy and all teeth in perfect condition. A complete and efficient mastication is fundamental to ensure a consequent digestion and absorption of feed.

HOW TO DETECT COLIC:
those who are in contact with horses must know how to recognize the symptoms of this disease, since any delay in treatment is directly related to an increase of poor outcomes.
The first step is to observe the horse for some minutes, its general appearance, its behaviour and attitudes. A horse with colic will be uneasy, will move around in its box or round its tether and will paw the ground. Usually a horse will frequently change position (lying down and standing up), it will express the pain it is feeling by worried looks towards its flanks. Some horses lie down, either slowly or rapidly, and roll.
Other signs to be taken note of when observing a patient are the size of the abdomen (there may be an increase in size on one or both sides), lesions of the head and hip caused by banging against the box or the ground as a consequence of the intense pain, uneaten feed in the foodbag, no urine or droppings on the straw bedding, or modifications in the consistency of the droppings, and sweating. The sweating may be intense and plain to see, and there may be a considerable loss of water and electrolytes which if not replaced may lead to shock.

STEPS TO FOLLOW:
once there is colic and pain and this has been “detected” due to the presence of recognizable symptoms, knowing how dangerous it is to the life of a horse, the Veterinarian must be immediately called.
The early attendance of a Veterinarian is extremely important since this professional will prevent possible complications. It is a known fact that as pain progresses, the body suffers diverse negative processes. Therefore, early intervention is related to a better outcome.
After a complete physical exam the Vet will decide on a diagnosis and consequent treatment, either medical or surgical, according to each case. The Vet will also assess the general state of the patient, its dehydration and degree of complications. He will treat the pain and try to re-establish a normal function of the digestive tract. There are certain pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract for which treatment must be surgical, since if surgery is not carried out the horse’s life is at risk. The early clinical assessment and decision to carry out surgery are directly related to the success of the outcome of surgery. A horse with colic will show symptoms that worsen over time since the beginning of the process, these will affect the decision on how to treat and if and whether to treat surgically.

PRVENTIVE MEASURES:
the main causes of colic must be avoided. For example, any teeth deficiencies must be corrected so as to facilitate mastication, periodical worming must be carried out, no cold water must be given. The feed must also be strictly controlled. It must be remembered that horses are very sensitive to imbalances in the quality and quantity of feed given. In the case of stabled horses, it is convenient to divide the feed into several daily intakes and the quantity of feed must be calculated on the basis of the activity carried out (energy).
Horses, due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of their digestive tract, cannot vomit to empty their stomachs. To compensate for this lack the stomach is capable of increasing its size (like a balloon), repeatedly dilating and so increasing the risk of a rupture with a leakage of stomach contents into the peritoneal cavity, and death in consequence.

PROGNOSIS:
the prognosis of a case of colic in a horse will depend on various factors, amongst which are:
1) The cause: if it is only due to a slight increased motility of the gastrointestinal tract the prognosis will be very different to a case with obstruction or torsion of the intestine.
2) The speed with which the first symptoms are recognized.
3) The immediate application of an appropriate treatment, either medical or surgical, according to each case.
4) A favourable response to treatment.
5) The presence of general complications, such as dehydration and shock, which will affect the evolution of the disease.
6) The re-establishment of a normal gastrointestinal physiology.

FINAL COMMENTS
A detailed observation of abnormal behaviour in a horse: pawing the ground, lying down and standing up, are signs that must cause us to suspect colic.
Other behaviour that must be looked for: repeated looking at the flank area (left), increase in abdominal size (right) and constant movement.
It is advisable to periodically check the feeding habits of a horse, an incomplete mastication of the feed can lead to colic.
Alterations or errors in the water and feed administered that affect their quality and quantity can also cause colic.