Equine colic is a horse owner's worst fear. It is difficult to predict when or why colic will strike. The outcome of this condition is uncertain. A mild episode of colic may subside without treatment, but severe colic may result in death. The number of horses affected each year by colic is variable. One study(1) reported 4.2 colic events per 100 horses per year, whereas other sources(2,3) estimate that the figure can be as high as 10% of the horse population. It is difficult to determine the exact number of horses affected by colic because veterinarians are not required to report the condition, many cases of colic resolve without the need for medical intervention, and colic can be associated with many other conditions (e.g., parasite obstruction) as well as environmental factors (e.g., no access to water, ingestion of sand).
