The signs of colic in horses range from almost imperceptible in mild cases to extremely violent in severe cases.

The symptoms of a serious colic are:-

• Groaning or rolling
• shallow breathing
• sweating and swelling of the abdomen

The symptoms of mild colic include:-

• Lethargy
• loss of appetite
• fewer droppings
• stomach ache

The following list details the most common visula signs of equine colic :

• lying down more than usual
• getting up and lying down repeatedly
• standing stretched out
• standing frequently as if to urinate
• turning the head towards the flank
• repeatedly curling the upper lip
• pawing at the ground
• kicking at the abdomen
• excessive rolling

Physical signs your horse may show :

Horses with colic have a faster heart rate and higher body temperature than normal.

The horse will sweat, become restless, paw the ground, try to roll, get up and down several times, bite at its sides, kick at its belly, show a change in its manure, or fail to defecate.

The pain may be caused by several intestinal problems such as an impacted or plugged intestine, sand in the cecum, increased activity of the intestine, inflammation of the intestinal membrane lining, blockage of blood supply to the intestine, or stretched digestive tract due to gas or undigested feed.