Researchers studying one of the most dangerous health problems in horses have published two new studies which could transform the way the condition is diagnosed and treated by veterinarians and owners.

The studies, carried out by researchers at The University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, in England, have assessed information about more than 1,000 horses with colic and asked more than 200 veterinarians how they go about diagnosing colic.

They are the first published analyses of the initial presentation of colic, which identified key, early differences between critical and non-critical cases, and a comparison of how first evaluations of horses are conducted by veterinarians. The research is intended to help owners and practitioners recognize critical cases as early as possible and improve the selection of diagnostic tests used to assess horses with signs of colic.

Colic is the most common emergency problem in horses and is one of the main causes of death. There is a range of different causes, ranging from intestinal spasms to the gut dying due to becoming trapped, and this can make diagnosis difficult