Colic Risk Checklist
A Practical Management Assessment for Horse Owners
Colic is not random. It is usually the result of cumulative management factors. This checklist allows owners to assess risk areas within their daily routine.
If you answer “yes” to multiple risk factors, adjustments should be considered.
1. Feeding Method
☐ Feed is offered above ground level
☐ Feed is provided in deep buckets rather than shallow flat tubs
☐ Horse consumes feed rapidly with minimal chewing
☐ Hard, dense pellets form the majority of concentrate intake
☐ Large concentrate meals are fed once or twice daily
Lower Risk Practice:
Feed at ground level in wide, flat tubs. Encourage slower intake and prioritize forage-based nutrition over dense, rapidly consumed concentrates.
2. Forage Intake
☐ Horse does not have near-continuous access to forage
☐ Long fasting periods occur between meals
☐ Forage quality is highly variable
☐ Hay is very coarse, stemmy, or dusty
☐ Sudden hay source changes occur without transition
Lower Risk Practice:
Provide consistent, high-quality forage. Introduce changes gradually over 7 to 14 days to allow microbial adaptation.
3. Water Intake
☐ Water intake decreases in cold weather
☐ Troughs or buckets are not cleaned regularly
☐ Horse has limited access to fresh water
☐ Salt intake is inconsistent
☐ Electrolytes are not considered during heavy work or heat
Lower Risk Practice:
Ensure constant access to clean, palatable water. Monitor intake during weather changes and support hydration appropriately.
4. Movement and Environment
☐ Horse is stalled for extended periods
☐ Turnout time is limited
☐ Sudden confinement changes occur
☐ Travel stress is frequent
☐ Exercise level has recently decreased
Lower Risk Practice:
Encourage daily movement. Even light turnout supports healthy gut motility.
5. Feeding Changes and Stress
☐ Recent feed change within the past 7 days
☐ Increase in starch or concentrate levels
☐ New supplement introduced abruptly
☐ High stress environment, competition, or relocation
☐ Recent illness or medication use
Lower Risk Practice:
Make dietary adjustments gradually and manage environmental stress carefully during transitions.
6. Early Warning Awareness
Owners should understand their horse’s normal patterns and monitor daily:
☐ Manure volume and consistency
☐ Appetite
☐ Demeanor
☐ Water consumption
☐ Gut sounds
Early recognition of subtle changes can dramatically improve outcomes.
Risk Interpretation
If 1 to 3 boxes are checked, risk is generally manageable with minor refinement.
If 4 to 7 boxes are checked, management adjustments should be prioritised.
If more than 7 boxes are checked, the horse may be operating in a higher-risk management model, and preventive correction should be addressed promptly.
Final Perspective
The equine digestive system evolved for continuous fiber intake, consistent hydration, and regular movement. Modern management often disrupts those fundamentals.
Colic prevention is not complicated. It is disciplined management applied consistently over time.