Time is of the essence when dealing with colic—the broad term for abdominal pain—in horses. Colic is a leading cause of death in equids and, in a new study, U.K. researchers found the survival of colicking horses depends heavily on rapid decision-making from veterinarians and horse owners.

Gathering Information from Decision Makers

To collect data from the people most directly involved in managing colicking horses, researchers from the University of Nottingham’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science conducted phone interviews with 14 horse owners and 13 veterinarians across the U.K. They centered the discussions on experiences with critical colic cases—those severe enough to involve hospital referral or euthanasia. The questions explored diagnosis, treatment options, and the emotional challenges of decision-making.

Researchers found several prominent themes across the responses:

• Emotional impact: Both horse owners and veterinarians experienced significant emotional stress surrounding decision-making, influenced by the severity of the colic, the uncertainty of the outcome, and the bond between horse and owner.
• Owner preparedness: Veterinarians reported that many owners had never considered what they would do if their horse were critically ill. Even those who had thought about decisions in advance often became conflicted during an emergency.
• Information and resources: Owners reported varying levels of access to information about colic management and treatment options for their horses. Some felt inadequately informed, others appreciated detailed explanations from their veterinarians.
• Financial considerations: While finances were a concern for owners, they overwhelmingly did not consider money the most important factor when deciding on colic treatment. In contrast, veterinarians saw cost as one of the biggest influences on decision-making, especially when survival depended on urgent referral. The researchers said that having equine insurance reduced owners’ anxiety, making them less concerned about discussing costs and taking action on procedures.
• Logistics and travel considerations: Researchers noted that logistics and availability of horse transportation to a hospital were a common source of anxiety for both veterinarians and owners. Practitioners frequently reported transport-related issues, including owners not having access to suitable transport when needed and horses that were difficult to load.

What an Emergency Equine Colic Means for the Client-Veterinarian Relationship

“The long-term impact a critical colic case has on a horse owner can be profound, with feelings of intense guilt and changes in attitude to future horse ownership,” said study author Katie Burrell, BSc, PhD, assistant professor of equine welfare and knowledge exchange at the university.

To help with informed decision-making, Burrell and her colleagues called for increased resources and support for owners navigating the complexities of colic treatment decisions. “The REACT campaign is an initiative by the British Horse Society that provides owners with key information and guidance on preparing for a potential colic emergency,” she said. The REACT colic campaign includes a poster of the most common signs of colic, and ten fact sheets on colic essentials.

Take-Home Message

In cases of severe colic, minutes can make a difference. To improve the outcomes of critical colic cases, Burrell strongly encouraged horse owners to make and discuss emergency plans with their veterinarians and those directly involved in the horses’ care—such as barn owners and trusted friends—in advance to prevent delays should an emergency arise.

The study, “UK horse owners and veterinary practitioners’ experiences of decision-making for critical cases of colic,” appeared in Equine Veterinary Journal in June 2024.