Horse Colic: Emergency Management & Life-Saving Decisions

Name: Horse Colic: Emergency Management & Life-Saving Decisions
Rating: 4.0 (13 reviews)

Recognize, diagnose, and manage horse colic with confidence—practical, real-world strategies for vets, students, and hor

Created byMohamed AL ashram

Last updated 3/2026

English

What you'll learn

GIT anatomy
colic motility pattern
clinical finding
fluid thereby
surgery
treament

Course content

3 sections • 35 lectures • 1h 25m total length

ANATOMY OF THE EQUINE INTESTINAL TRACT AND ABDOMEN5:59

Equine Colic Mastery: Clinical Decision-Making That Saves Lives1:46
course over view4:42
GIT anatomey histology clinical relevance8:31
crnial view of Equine GIT1:59
colic2:02
why matter1:05
Explore the definition and diverse etiologies of equine colic, diagnose abdominal pain signs, and guide urgent treatment by understanding congenital GI physiology, ingesta and fluid movement, and endotoxin sensitivity.
colic0:54
GIT10:57
GIT22:10
Examine equine gastrointestinal anatomy, including the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and the ileocecal junction; learn how mesentery, rectal findings, and cecal landmarks guide diagnosis and surgery.
GIT33:29
Trace the horse gastrointestinal tract from the ileum to the cecum, a right-sided fermentation vat that holds 27–30 L of ingesta.
GIT motility1:19
Colonic motility in horses moves ingesta through the left ventral and left dorsal colon via peristalsis, with retrograde contractions from the pelvic flexure and a pacemaker region sensing particle size.
openings1:46
Identify natural abdominal openings, including the inguinal canal, umbilical area, epiploic foramen, and the spleen-left kidney space, as sites where colic-related intestinal events may occur.
findings0:57
symptoms2:48
history4:31
Assess the history of present and prior colic episodes, then perform a cardiovascular and GI exam evaluating hydration, mucous membranes, capillary refill, reflux, and abdominal sounds.
examination2:11
Perform a rectal examination with systematic palpation of key abdominal structures, assessing the intestine for size and content. Analyze peritoneal fluid to evaluate health and identify age-related colic risks.
examination22:11
Master the rectal exam as the definitive equine colic assessment, palpate key abdominal and reproductive structures, and assess age-related colic conditions via peritoneal fluid color, cell count, and protein.
pain relief2:24
larvae2:53
treatment2:13
treatment22:47
ttreatment35:08
Learn pain management for equine colic with analgesics and nasogastric drainage, and fluid therapy decisions (IV or nasogastric) based on obstruction type and shock status.
surgery4:54
Identify obstructions or compromised blood supply requiring surgery to prevent death. Assess severe pain, high gastric reflux, and peritoneal fluid changes to guide urgent surgical intervention.
prognosis3:55

Severe Acute Colitis with Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy2:04
Ileocecal Intussusception1:41
: Nephrosplenic Entrapment (NSLE)0:55
Large Colon Volvulus1:02
Epiploic Foramen Entrapment (Misdiagnosed Pelvic Flexure Impaction)1:39
Pelvic Flexure Impaction Managed Medically0:46
Gastrointestinal Perforation0:54
Proximal Enteritis (Medical Management)0:46
Septic Peritonitis Postpartum0:54
Proximal Enteritis with Secondary Jejunal Stricture1:32

Requirements

previous knowledge about horse care anatomy physiology

Description

Colic is one of the most common and life-threatening conditions affecting horses, requiring rapid recognition, accurate diagnosis, and decisive management. This course, “Horse Colic: Emergency Management & Life-Saving Decisions for Equine Care,” is designed to equip learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to confidently approach colic cases in real-world situations.

Rather than focusing only on theory, this course takes a clinical, problem-solving approach, guiding you through how veterinarians think and act when faced with a colic emergency. You will begin by understanding the true meaning of colic as a clinical syndrome, exploring its wide range of causes and varying levels of severity.

A strong foundation is built through a clear explanation of the equine gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology, highlighting the unique features that make horses particularly susceptible to colic. From the small stomach and inability to vomit, to the complex structure of the large colon and common sites of obstruction such as the pelvic flexure, each concept is presented in a simple and practical way.

The course also emphasizes the importance of fluid dynamics, ingesta movement, and the role of bacterial endotoxins, helping you understand why some cases rapidly deteriorate and become life-threatening.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Recognize early and advanced signs of colic
Understand the underlying causes and risk factors
Apply structured clinical thinking to assess cases
Make informed decisions about treatment and referral

This course is ideal for veterinary students, equine practitioners, horse owners, and anyone involved in horse care who wants to improve their confidence and competence in handling colic cases.

Whether you are preparing for clinical practice or aiming to enhance your field skills, this course provides practical, actionable knowledge that can make a real difference in equine health and survival.

Who this course is for:

horse owners , veterinerian , vet medicine students, horse riders, any one like horses

Horse Colic: Emergency Management & Life-Saving Decisions

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

why horse is prone to colic1 lecture • 6min

Equine Colic Mastery: Clinical Decision-Making That Saves Lives24 lectures • 1hr 8min

Clinical scenarios10 lectures • 12min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: