Myth-Buster #9. “Horses Colic From Bad Luck”

Colic is one of the most feared words in horse ownership.

And when it happens, people often say:

“It was just bad luck.”

Sometimes colic does occur despite excellent care.

But the myth is that colic is random and unavoidable.

In reality, many colic episodes are strongly linked to management and feeding factors.

Why People Believe This Myth

Colic feels sudden.

A horse can seem normal one hour and in distress the next, so owners naturally assume it came out of nowhere.

And because colic is complex, it is emotionally easier to call it chance.

But the digestive system does not usually collapse without contributing pressures.

The Horse Gut Is Powerful, and Sensitive

The horse’s digestive tract is designed for:

• Continuous forage intake

• Slow, steady fermentation

• Consistent routines

Domestic horses live very differently.

Colic risk rises when the gut is forced into instability.

Common Preventable Contributors

Many colic cases have recognizable triggers, including:

• Sudden changes in hay or feed

• Inconsistent meal timing

• Insufficient water intake

• Poor quality or mouldy forage

• High starch overload

• Sand ingestion in dry environments

• Lack of movement and turnout

• Stress and confinement

• Heavy parasite loads when unmanaged

Colic is often the outcome of disruption, not randomness.

Change Is One of the Biggest Drivers

Horses do not handle abrupt dietary shifts well.

Even changing from one load of hay to another can alter:

• Microbial balance

• Fermentation rate

• Manure moisture

• Gas production

The hindgut thrives on consistency.

Hydration Is Underrated

One of the simplest colic risk factors is inadequate drinking.

In hot weather, cold snaps, travel, or stress, horses often drink less.

Dry gut contents and reduced motility increase the risk of impaction.

The Practical Takeaway

Colic prevention is not superstition.

It is routine discipline:

• Make feed and hay changes slowly

• Prioritize clean, consistent forage

• Ensure constant access to water

• Maximize turnout and movement

• Avoid starch-heavy feeding patterns

• Monitor manure and appetite closely

Owners cannot prevent every case, but they can reduce risk dramatically.

Thrive Feed Principle

At Thrive Feed, we believe the gut is the foundation.

Colic is not usually “bad luck.”

It is often the result of digestive disruption, and good management is one of the most powerful preventive tools horse owners have.

Stability protects horses.