During these colic events, owners will be required to make fast decisions in the midst of a stressful and emotional situation. | Photo: iStock

Preparing is the single best thing a horse owner can do to increase a horse’s chance of surviving a sudden colic episode, says Michael Fugaro, VMD, Dipl. ACVS, owner of Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services and a surgeon at B.W. Furlong and Associates, both in New Jersey.

“Many cases can rapidly progress and deteriorate,” he says. “A successful outcome is often influenced by aggressive and immediate veterinary medical/surgical intervention; time is of the essence, and minutes count. During these colic events, owners will be required to make fast decisions in the midst of a stressful and emotional situation.”