A number of risk factors are associated with increased incidence of colic, and horses that have a history of colic occurrences and/or previous colic surgery might be more likely to exhibit future bouts.

Management factors might also affect the likelihood of colic episodes. Dietary management practices such as using certain types of feed, increased amounts of feed, and increased concentrations of feed may be associated with higher incidences of colic, laminitis (a painful foot condition), and endotoxemia, a condition in which toxins are released from dying bacteria (cell walls) within the body and circulated in the blood.

Changes in the diet, such as in the type and/or quality of feed and hay or other dietary forage, might lead to higher colic incidence.

In reality, a limited number of risk factors for colic can be directly controlled by owner intervention. Using good feeding practices and dietary management, parasite control, and good health practices are probably the extent of our ability to minimize the risk factors for colic in the