Horse Colic Prevention & Management

Note: The story below recounts a personal experience of dealing with my horse’s colic while traveling in Florida. It highlights important lessons in horse care—from recognizing early signs to finding the right veterinary support and preventing future episodes. Whether you live in Florida or anywhere else, the core principles for recognizing, managing, and preventing colic remain the same. I am not a vet. Always seek advice and assistance from a trained vet in a life or death situation for your horse. 

Signs My Horse Was Colicking

We’d been in Florida for about three weeks, staying at a campground on the east side of Orlando. It’s out in the middle of nowhere, with the closest town about 30 minutes away. I headed out to feed our horses—Tucker and Ruach—their evening meal around 7:00 p.m. Right away, something felt off.

Tucker usually knows when feeding time is near and greets me enthusiastically, but he stayed silent. When I reached their pens, I noticed Tucker was lying down. He was upright and looking at me, yet not getting up to eat. Horses love their food, so it was strange for him to ignore a meal.

I went into his pen and tried coaxing him up. I even had to push him a bit. He stood but showed no interest in his feed and laid right back down again. When he laid down the second time, he stretched out his legs very stiffly, and his eyes glazed over for a moment. It alarmed me immediately; I was sure he was colicking.

My husband, Collin, was with me. I had him walk Tucker in circles to keep him from lying down while I called every vet I could find online. Most didn’t answer; some weren’t accepting new clients, and it was well past business hours. It was overwhelming because we were in an emergency without any local connections.

Locating a Horse Veterinary Hospital

Finally, we managed to reach one horse vet who advised us to take Tucker to a horse hospital in Ocala, about an hour and a half away. By then it was already 8:00 p.m. Trailering a horse usually takes more time than traveling by car, so we planned for closer to a two-hour drive. Collin ran and got the camp hosts to help him hook up our truck and trailer, and threw everything out of the stalls where Tucker would need to stand, while I continued leading Tucker.  

We had another challenge: what would we do with Ruach during the trip? If Tucker laid down in the trailer, it would be dangerous to have Ruach there with him. Also, there were no other horses around to keep Ruach company in the pens. Thankfully, the camp hosts reminded us there were volunteers staying beyond a hill who had experience with horses. They would take care of Ruach while we took Tucker to Ocala.

Hitting the Road Without Banamine

At that point, we realized we didn’t have Banamine on hand—a medication often administered for colic to relax the horse’s digestive system and help relieve pain. Fortunately, the local horse volunteers had some Banamine and gave us a tube for Tucker. We administered it orally under his tongue just before loading him on the trailer.

During the stressful two-hour drive, we weren’t sure what type of colic Tucker had. If it was gas colic (often less severe) or impaction colic (potentially life-threatening, sometimes requiring surgery). We arrived at the hospital around 10:00 p.m. Ocala, often called the “horse capital of the world,” has outstanding vet facilities, so we felt we’d come to the right place.

Evaluating Tucker at the Vet

When we unloaded Tucker, he already seemed livelier—possibly because the Banamine was working and because he was in a new environment. I explained to the vet that he’d received Banamine a couple of hours ago. They performed an ultrasound and found no impaction, which was a relief. They also manually checked his intestines (via rectal exam) and noticed his small intestine had shifted slightly, and there was some evidence of gas in his colon. These findings pointed to gas colic rather than impaction colic.

The vet explained that the sudden shift in weather—from hot to significantly cooler—had caused several colic cases. Horses that had been drinking a lot during the heat began drinking less when the temperatures dropped, increasing the risk of dehydration and colic.

Tucker’s vet team kept him overnight with no feed, giving him IV fluids and monitoring him. They said the night would determine how he recovered because, the next morning, they’d gradually reintroduce him to food. If he handled it well, he’d likely be fine. However, if problems recurred once he started eating, it might signal a more serious condition.

Making the Decision to Keep Him at the Hospital

The veterinary staff assured us that Tucker looked good overall. They said he could come home in the morning if we felt comfortable introducing his feed ourselves, but that carried a risk. If he colicked again, we’d be another hour and a half from professional help. The alternative was leaving him at the hospital an extra day or two so they could monitor him and reintroduce his feed under professional supervision. We chose the second option for peace of mind.

We arrived back at the campground around 1:30 a.m. and went straight to bed, though I barely slept after such an intense evening. Still, I felt relieved knowing the vet believed Tucker’s case was just gas colic. Early the next morning, the hospital staff let us know Tucker was doing well. They’d administered some additional Banamine, but he was showing signs of improvement and beginning to eat again. He stayed another full day, and by Saturday, we picked him up on our way to a new campground.

Colic Recovery and a New Environment

Moving to a new campground felt risky, but Tucker was doing fine. We gave him a week off to rest. For the first few days, he was clearly sore—his movement was less energetic. Think about having a severe stomachache for hours; your body would be sore, too. However, by the end of the week, he was back to his usual self, chasing Ruach around and resuming normal energy levels. 

Why Did My Horse Colic?

After reflecting on this experience, I don’t believe traveling or being in Florida directly caused his colic. He’s been comfortable in all the environments we’ve stayed in, eating and drinking well. The biggest culprit seems to be the weather change that caused him to drink less water. We also hadn’t had access to much grass in Florida, and hay doesn’t have nearly the same moisture content. Those factors likely combined to reduce his hydration levels significantly. Weather fluctuations can happen anywhere, so I won’t blame Florida entirely.

How to Tell if Your Horse Is Colicking

A valuable lesson from this ordeal is knowing how to spot colic. My husband, Colin—who’s less experienced around horses—picked up on the signs quickly. Here’s what he noticed:

• Lack of interest in food: Horses typically get excited at meal times. Tucker wasn’t.
• Unusual behavior: Tucker was lying down and wouldn’t get up. He also showed very little energy.
• Drastic personality change: Tucker is normally eager and alert, but he was lethargic.

Different horses display colic in different ways. Some may frantically roll and trot around, while others might just seem lethargic and “off.” Pay close attention to any noticeable shift in a horse’s usual demeanor.

Preventing Future Colic Episodes In Horses

Tucker lost some weight during his time at the vet due to restricted feeding. Once home, we focused on rehydration strategies and management practices that help prevent colic from recurring.

Increase Water Intake

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of colic. Here’s how we improved Tucker’s water consumption:

• Soaking Feed: We add about two gallons of water to each feed. Feeding multiple times a day ensures he ingests extra water regularly.
• Using Table Salt: The vet recommended generous amounts of plain table salt, which encourages horses to drink more. We sprinkle it into both feed and hay.
• Monitor Manure: A horse’s poop consistency can indicate hydration levels. Hard, separate nuggets suggest dehydration; moist, cohesive piles mean they’re drinking enough.

Have Banamine On Hand

Banamine is a lifesaver in many mild colic cases. It helps relax a horse’s digestive system, relieving pain and sometimes resolving a gas colic episode before it worsens. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian about keeping Banamine in your medical kit and learn how to administer it properly (orally or via injectable).

Avoid Feeding Your Horse on Sandy Ground

In regions with sandy soil, sand can accumulate in a horse’s digestive tract and cause impaction colic. We use a supplement like Sand Aid once a month to help flush out any ingested sand. We also feed in hay nets rather than directly on the ground, reducing how much sand the horses might eat. Sand impaction can be extremely dangerous, so it’s critical to take preventive measures if you live or travel with your horse in a sandy area.

Valuable Resources for Horse Owners

Owning and caring for horses can involve learning through difficult experiences. However, there are ways to prepare yourself better. One resource I highly recommend is My Horse Care: Keys To Success Course. You’ll discover vital information about horse nutrition, grooming, basic health, and everyday management strategies to help avoid common pitfalls.

Conclusion

Dealing with colic can be one of the most stressful emergencies for horse owners, especially if you’re traveling or in an unfamiliar area. However, as this experience shows, staying calm and vigilant, seeking veterinary help promptly, and following sound management practices can make a huge difference. Tucker’s quick recovery was aided by prompt action, helpful neighbors, and a reliable veterinary hospital.

To keep your horse in the best shape possible, always ensure proper hydration, feed frequently, look out for sudden behavioral changes, and consider using preventive measures if you’re located in or passing through sandy areas. If you want an even deeper understanding of how to care for your horse’s health year-round, be sure to check out My Horse Care: Keys To Success Course and get the knowledge you need to feel confident in every horse care scenario.