FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Equine veterinary journal2001; 33(4); 380-385; doi: 10.2746/042516401776249499

A cross-sectional study of colic in horses on thoroughbred training premises in the British Isles in 1997.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of colic in horses in Thoroughbred training premises in 1997 in the British Isles. The seasonal pattern and outcome of colic episodes were also investigated, together with any association between premises level variables and colic. Data were collected by a postal questionnaire. The results showed a colic incidence density of 7.19/100 horse years (s.e. 0.42) and a cumulative incidence of colic of 5.80% (s.e. 0.30). Premises were grouped according to whether they had more Flat than National Hunt horses (Flat premises) or more National Hunt than Flat horses (NH premises). A similar rate of colic episodes was found in each group. However, significantly higher cumulative incidences of one episode of colic were found in the Flat premises and of multiple episodes in the NH premises, respectively. The outcome of each episode of colic showed spontaneous recovery in 28.7%, medical recovery in 63.1%, surgical recovery in 2.0% and death in 6.2% of cases. This indicated an overall mortality rate from colic of 0.45 deaths/100 horse years. The seasonal pattern of episodes of colic showed a spring and autumn peak, with significant differences in the seasonal pattern between the Flat and NH premises. Relative risk analysis and logistic regression modelling with random effects showed significant associations between the number of episodes of colic and the number of horses on the premises (allowing for the number of horses on each premises, the larger premises had a decreased risk of colic). After adjusting for the number of horses, 3 other variables were associated with colic; Flat premises (with an increased risk), the owner being the sole person looking after the horses (a decreased risk) and the premises being a combined training and breeding establishment (a decreased risk).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2001-07-27 PubMed ID: 11469771DOI: 10.2746/042516401776249499Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study focused on estimating the incidence rate of colic (a severe, often fluctuating pain in the abdomen) in Thoroughbred horses in training premises within the British Isles during 1997. The researchers also examined seasonal patterns and outcomes of colic episodes, as well as correlations between premises-level variables and colic incidents.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers accumulated data through a postal questionnaire, sent to the management of Thoroughbred horse training premises within the British Isles.
  • The premises were categorized into two groups: those with more Flat (race-running on level ground) than National Hunt (race-running over obstacles) horses, and vice versa.

Main Findings

  • The study found an incidence density of colic in horses to be 7.19 out of 100 horse years, and a cumulative incidence of colic at 5.80%.
  • Incidence rates were similar across both types of premises.
  • The data revealed more instances of one-time colic occurrence in the Flat premises, and multiple colic bouts in the National Hunt premises.
  • Of all the colic cases, 28.7% recovered spontaneously, 63.1% required medical intervention, 2.0% necessitated surgery, and 6.2% resulted in the death of the horse. This led to an overall mortality rate from colic of 0.45 deaths per 100 horse years.
  • The data also presented a spring and autumn peak in colic episodes, with noted differences in seasonal patterns between the two premises.

Correlation Between Colic and Premises-level Variables

  • The study performed a relative risk analysis and logistic regression modelling with random effects to evaluate relationships between the number of colic episodes and the premises’ characteristics.
  • The research revealed a significant correlation between the size of the premises and the number of colic episodes, with larger premises experiencing a lower risk of colics after adjustment for the number of horses.
  • Three additional variables showed association with colic incidences: premises used for flat racing had a higher risk, premises where the owner was the sole caretaker had a lower risk, and combined training and breeding establishments showed a lower risk.

Cite This Article

APA
Hillyer MH, Taylor FG, French NP. (2001). A cross-sectional study of colic in horses on thoroughbred training premises in the British Isles in 1997. Equine Vet J, 33(4), 380-385. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516401776249499

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 4
Pages: 380-385

Researcher Affiliations

Hillyer, M H
  • Equine Centre, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, UK.
Taylor, F G
    French, N P

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Husbandry / statistics & numerical data
      • Animals
      • Breeding
      • Colic / epidemiology
      • Colic / veterinary
      • Cross-Sectional Studies
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / etiology
      • Horse Diseases / prevention & control
      • Horses
      • Incidence
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal
      • Risk Factors
      • Seasons
      • Surveys and Questionnaires
      • United Kingdom / epidemiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 24 times.
      1. Spadari A, Gialletti R, Gandini M, Valle E, Cerullo A, Cavallini D, Bertoletti A, Rinnovati R, Forni G, Scilimati N, Giusto G. Short-Term Survival and Postoperative Complications Rates in Horses Undergoing Colic Surgery: A Multicentre Study. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 20;13(6).
        doi: 10.3390/ani13061107pubmed: 36978647google scholar: lookup
      2. Osterman-Lind E, Hedberg Alm Y, Hassler H, Wilderoth H, Thorolfson H, Tydén E. Evaluation of Strategies to Reduce Equine Strongyle Infective Larvae on Pasture and Study of Larval Migration and Overwintering in a Nordic Climate. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 10;12(22).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12223093pubmed: 36428321google scholar: lookup
      3. Straticò P, Varasano V, Palozzo A, Guerri G, Celani G, Revelant O, Petrizzi L. Retrospective Study on Risk Factors and Short-Term Outcome of Horses Referred for Colic from 2016 to 2022. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
        doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100545pubmed: 36288158google scholar: lookup
      4. Smanik LE, Moser DK, Rothers KP, Hackett ES. Serial venous lactate measurement following gastrointestinal surgery in horses. J Vet Sci 2022 Sep;23(5):e66.
        doi: 10.4142/jvs.22038pubmed: 36038187google scholar: lookup
      5. Iglesias-García M, Rodríguez Hurtado I, Ortiz-Díez G, De la Calle Del Barrio J, Fernández Pérez C, Gómez Lucas R. Predictive Models for Equine Emergency Exploratory Laparotomy in Spain: Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Operative-Mortality-Associated Factors. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 27;12(11).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12111375pubmed: 35681838google scholar: lookup
      6. Dybkjær E, Steffensen KF, Honoré ML, Dinesen MA, Christophersen MT, Pihl TH. Short-term survival rates of 1397 horses referred for colic from 2010 to 2018. Acta Vet Scand 2022 May 7;64(1):11.
        doi: 10.1186/s13028-022-00631-4pubmed: 35526044google scholar: lookup
      7. Voss JK, Dubois MS. Redundant mesocolonic mesentery in a Shire colt. Can Vet J 2021 Feb;62(2):179-183.
        pubmed: 33542558
      8. Curtis L, Burford JH, England GCW, Freeman SL. Risk factors for acute abdominal pain (colic) in the adult horse: A scoping review of risk factors, and a systematic review of the effect of management-related changes. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219307.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219307pubmed: 31295284google scholar: lookup
      9. Worku Y, Wondimagegn W, Aklilu N, Assefa Z, Gizachew A. Equine colic: clinical epidemiology and associated risk factors in and around Debre Zeit. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017 Jun;49(5):959-965.
        doi: 10.1007/s11250-017-1283-ypubmed: 28401328google scholar: lookup
      10. Ericsson AC, Johnson PJ, Lopes MA, Perry SC, Lanter HR. A Microbiological Map of the Healthy Equine Gastrointestinal Tract. PLoS One 2016;11(11):e0166523.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166523pubmed: 27846295google scholar: lookup
      11. Curtis L, Burford JH, Thomas JS, Curran ML, Bayes TC, England GC, Freeman SL. Prospective study of the primary evaluation of 1016 horses with clinical signs of abdominal pain by veterinary practitioners, and the differentiation of critical and non-critical cases. Acta Vet Scand 2015 Oct 6;57:69.
        doi: 10.1186/s13028-015-0160-9pubmed: 26444675google scholar: lookup
      12. Escalona EE, Okell CN, Archer DC. Prevalence of and risk factors for colic in horses that display crib-biting behaviour. BMC Vet Res 2014;10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S3.
        doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S3pubmed: 25238292google scholar: lookup
      13. Jennings K, Curtis L, Burford J, Freeman S. Prospective survey of veterinary practitioners' primary assessment of equine colic: clinical features, diagnoses, and treatment of 120 cases of large colon impaction. BMC Vet Res 2014;10 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S2.
        doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-S1-S2pubmed: 25238179google scholar: lookup
      14. Wormstrand BH, Ihler CF, Diesen R, Krontveit RI. Surgical treatment of equine colic - a retrospective study of 297 surgeries in Norway 2005-2011. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Jun 16;56(1):38.
        doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-56-38pubmed: 24934123google scholar: lookup
      15. Christophersen MT, Dupont N, Berg-Sørensen KS, Konnerup C, Pihl TH, Andersen PH. Short-term survival and mortality rates in a retrospective study of colic in 1588 Danish horses. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Apr 8;56(1):20.
        doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-56-20pubmed: 24712831google scholar: lookup
      16. Dougal K, de la Fuente G, Harris PA, Girdwood SE, Pinloche E, Newbold CJ. Identification of a core bacterial community within the large intestine of the horse. PLoS One 2013;8(10):e77660.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077660pubmed: 24204908google scholar: lookup
      17. Cox R, Proudman CJ, Trawford AF, Burden F, Pinchbeck GL. Epidemiology of impaction colic in donkeys in the UK. BMC Vet Res 2007 Feb 2;3:1.
        doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-3-1pubmed: 17274808google scholar: lookup
      18. Archer DC, Pinchbeck GL, Proudman CJ, Clough HE. Is equine colic seasonal? Novel application of a model based approach. BMC Vet Res 2006 Aug 24;2:27.
        doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-2-27pubmed: 16930473google scholar: lookup
      19. Abutarbush SM, Carmalt JL, Shoemaker RW. Causes of gastrointestinal colic in horses in western Canada: 604 cases (1992 to 2002). Can Vet J 2005 Sep;46(9):800-5.
        pubmed: 16231649
      20. Schank N, Cottone A, Wulf M, Seiter K, Thomas B, Miller LMJ, Anderson SL, Sahyoun A, Abidi AH, Kassan M, Verma A. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) in Colic and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Dec 3;15(23).
        doi: 10.3390/ani15233482pubmed: 41375540google scholar: lookup
      21. Tharwat M, Al-Sobayil F. Equine colic: A comprehensive overview of the sonographic evaluation, diagnostic criteria, and management of different categories. Open Vet J 2025 Mar;15(3):1116-1139.
        doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i3.5pubmed: 40276205google scholar: lookup
      22. Griessel TS, Muñoz Morán JA, Byaruhanga C, Smit Y. A single-centre retrospective study of surgical site infection following equine colic surgery (2013‒2021). Vet Rec 2025 May 17;196(10):e5227.
        doi: 10.1002/vetr.5227pubmed: 40123113google scholar: lookup
      23. Tranquille CA, Chojnacka K, Murray RC. Musculoskeletal Injury and Illness Patterns in British Eventing Horses: A Descriptive Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 13;14(18).
        doi: 10.3390/ani14182667pubmed: 39335262google scholar: lookup
      24. Ryu SH, Sohn Y, Forbes E, Jeon HS, An SJ, Kim BS, Kyung SG, Lee I. A cross-sectional study of colic and rate of return to racing in Thoroughbreds at Seoul Racecourse in Korea between 2010 and 2020. J Vet Sci 2023 Nov;24(6):e81.
        doi: 10.4142/jvs.23165pubmed: 38031518google scholar: lookup
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.