Emergency Colic Kit for Horse Owners: First-Hour Actions & Vitals Checklist
- Horse Education Online
- Oct 15
- 12 min read
Updated: Oct 30
When colic strikes, you don’t have time to hunt for tools or guess what to do next. An Emergency Colic Kit puts the right items in one place—thermometer with lube, stethoscope, watch, headlamp, gloves, notepad—and pairs them with a simple, first-hour plan: observe behavior, take time-stamped vitals, and call with a clear trend. This guide shows exactly what to pack, how to measure, and when numbers cross into “call now.”
We’ll keep it owner-safe and practical: short steps, red-flag thresholds, and a printable checklist. If it’s been a while since you checked baselines, review The Horse’s Vital Signs and counting tips in Average Heart Rate for a Horse before you need them. The embedded logger below turns panic into a workflow—log, auto-flag, share—so your veterinarian gets the exact information they need, fast.
TL;DR — First-Hour Snapshot
Secure & observe (0–10 min): Safe stall/aisle, remove hay/grain, leave water, time pain episodes and manure/urination.
Check vitals (10–20 min): HR, respirations, temperature, gum color/CRT, gut sounds. Record numbers + time.
Act (20–60 min): Walk only if it reduces rolling; don’t fatigue. Prep trailer. Call/update your vet if pain persists, vitals trend worse (e.g., HR climbing), no manure, or depression increases.
Have the kit ready: Thermometer + lube, stethoscope, watch, headlamp/flashlight, gloves, halter/lead, notepad/marker, phone with charger, clean buckets, reflective cones/tape for loading, and your clinic numbers.
What “Colic” Means
Colic is a symptom (abdominal pain), not a single disease. It ranges from self-resolving gas to impactions to displacements/torsions that may require surgery. Your job in the first hour isn’t to diagnose which one—it’s to measure what you can see and hear, keep the horse and people safe, and get clean information to your veterinarian quickly.
Small changes matter. A horse who’s quiet but uncomfortable (looking at the flank, stretching to urinate, lying down more than usual) can be just as concerning as one that’s obviously painful. If you’re unsure whether behavior counts as “sick,” skim our owner guide on how to tell if your horse is sick for the subtle red flags owners often miss.
Why signs vary (gas, impaction, displacement—owner context only)
Gas colic can come with intermittent cramping: short bursts of pawing or kicking at the belly followed by calmer periods. You may still hear active gut sounds.
Impaction can look quieter—reduced appetite, scant or dry manure, fewer gut sounds, a “tucked up” look, and progressive discomfort.
Displacement/torsion often presents with severe, escalating pain that doesn’t respond to walking, repeated rolling, depression between bouts, and worsening vitals.
Feed, water, weather, and stress (transport, competition, sudden pasture changes) can all shift risk—log recent changes for your vet.
💡Owner tip: Write down timestamps for behaviors (e.g., 12:14 pawing, 12:18 quiet, 12:21 attempts to roll). Patterns help your vet triage.
The single goal in hour one: assess, document, communicate
Think like a field medic: observe → measure → report.
Observe: Behavior cycles (restless vs. quiet), attempts to roll, manure/urination frequency/quality, appetite, thirst.
Measure: Heart rate, respirations, temperature, mucous membranes/capillary refill, and gut sounds. (We’ll show normal ranges and “call now” triggers later.)
Report: Send your vet a concise trend, not just one number: “HR 44 at 12:10 → 56 at 12:22; no manure since 7 am; trying to roll every 5–7 minutes; gut sounds diminished right side.”
Practical examples
Example A (mild but persistent). Over 15 minutes, HR climbs from 40 → 48 bpm. The horse paws every ~8 minutes, then settles between bouts; manure is scant. You log the times, prep the trailer, and call your vet with the trend while you recheck vitals.
Example B (urgent). HR is 64 bpm and rising. The horse tries to roll repeatedly despite short, calm walks; you hear absent gut sounds on one side. You call immediately, prioritize people safety, keep the area clear for loading, and follow your vet’s instructions without delaying.
Safety first: If the horse is trying to throw itself down, focus on people safety and space control. Don’t get trapped between horse and wall or under a lead rope.
The Emergency Colic Kit (What to Pack)
You don’t need a barn pharmacy—you need clean tools that help you measure and communicate. Pack everything into a soft-sided tote or 5-gallon lidded bucket and keep it by the main door or trailer.
Must-haves (ready to grab)
Digital thermometer + lube: Label it “RECTAL—HORSE.” Keep a small tube of petroleum jelly taped to it.
Credit: sconeequinegroup Stethoscope: Basic single-head is fine. (Practice listening at the left/right flank and behind the elbow; see our refresher on the horse’s vital signs for landmarks.)
Watch or phone with timer: You’ll time HR counts, breaths, and pain cycles.
Headlamp + flashlight: Redundancy matters if power is out or you’re trailering at night.
Nitrile gloves (box) & a few exam sleeves: Clean handling improves temperature and gum checks.
Halter/lead + spare: Choose wide, breakaway-safe halters; keep leads knot-free.
Notepad/marker (or waterproof tag) + pen/pencil: Record vitals with timestamps; hang a tag on the stall.
Phone charger/battery bank: Long triage calls and maps drain batteries fast.
Two clean buckets: One for water, one stays clean for manure inspection if asked.
Trailer readiness: Keys, hitch lock removed, tire pressure checked monthly, mats dry.
Safety cones/tape: For directing a safe loading area in low light.
💡Tip: Put laminated quick cards in the kit: normal ranges, how to count HR, when to call, clinic numbers.
Nice-to-have (helpful but optional)
Hoof pick: Sometimes “belly kicking” is a stone bruise. Rule out the simple thing.
hoof pick. Credit: greenhawk Digital luggage scale + hay net: Useful later for diet consistency and impaction prevention.
Credit: greenhawk Electrolyte mix (for vet-directed use later): Do not administer anything without instruction.
Credit: pbsanimalhealth Thermal sheet or cooler: For shivering horses in winter while you wait for the vet.
Credit: systemequine Reflective vest for handler: If walking on lanes or loading near roads.
Spare halter size: If you manage different horses.
Packing & Labeling Tips
Color-code the kit so anyone can grab the right items under stress. Use red tape for “vitals gear” (thermometer, lube, stethoscope, watch) and blue tape for “lighting & notes” (headlamp, flashlight, notepad, marker). The colors act like road signs when the aisle is busy or the power is out.
Keep the small pieces together. Seal the thermometer, lube, and a few pairs of gloves inside a zipper bag labeled “Vitals — Open First.” Add a laminated quick card with normal ranges, how to count HR in 15 seconds × 4, and your clinic numbers.
Run a short drill now and then so the kit isn’t theoretical. Every few months, do a three-minute practice: someone locates the kit, another takes a temperature, and a third counts heart rate. If technique is rusty, skim Average Heart Rate for a Horse for landmarks and counting steps.
First-Hour Action Plan (Step-by-Step)
Keep it short, focus on people safety, horse safety, and clean data for your veterinarian.
Minute 0–10: Secure, Remove Feed, Observe
Clear the space. Move the horse to a quiet stall or open aisle where you can see the whole body. Take out all hay and grain so the horse doesn’t keep eating. Do not remove water. Fresh water should stay available.
Keep people safe. Put one calm, experienced handler on the lead. Stand to the side of the shoulder, not directly in front. If the horse tries to lie down or roll, don’t wrestle a 500-kg animal. Step back, give it room, and protect people first.
Start a behavior log. Open your phone notes or a notepad and write short, time-stamped entries. Record the gap between pain signs (pawing, looking at the flank, getting up and down, attempts to roll). Note any manure or urine, appetite, and general attitude (quiet, restless, depressed).
Begin trailer prep. If a second person is available, they quietly ready the trailer while you observe: check the hitch, lights, and mats; clear a straight approach; and confirm the clinic route. You may not need to haul—but being ready saves minutes if your vet says to come.
Example note: 12:06 pawing; 12:09 quiet, nose to flank; 12:12 tries to roll; no manure since morning feeding.
Minute 10–20: Check Vitals (Numbers + Timestamps)
Heart rate (HR). Stand at the left side, place the stethoscope just behind the elbow, or feel the facial artery under the jaw. Count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Write the number and the time (e.g., “12:14 — HR 48 bpm”). If you repeat a check, you’re looking for change over time, not perfection.
Respiration (RR). Watch the flank or ribcage rise and fall for a full 60 seconds. Note effort (nostril flare, abdominal push). Record: “12:16 — RR 16/min, easy effort.”
Temperature. Take a rectal temperature with lube. Stand to the side of the hip, keep the tail controlled, and wait for the beep/steady reading. Record both value and time: “12:18 — Temp 38.1 °C.”
Credit: practicalhorsemanmag Gums and capillary refill time (CRT). Lift the upper lip. Healthy gums are pink and moist. Press a fingertip for one second and count until the pink color returns; >2 seconds is concerning. Log it: “12:19 — gums pink, CRT 2 s.”
Credit: thehorse Gut sounds. Place the stethoscope on both flanks. Note present, quiet, or absent, and if one side differs from the other. Example: “12:20 — gut sounds ↓ right, present left.”
Write a single, tidy line. Combine your checks into one time-stamped entry. For example:“12:20 — HR 48 | RR 16 | Temp 38.1 °C | CRT 2 s | Gut sounds ↓ R.”
That single line is easy to compare with your next check (e.g., at 12:35) and tells your vet whether things are stable, improving, or trending worse.
Log your numbers below and share the trend with your vet
If you need a refresher on technique and normals, scan The Horse’s Vital Signs; it includes landmarks and normal ranges. Jot numbers like this: 12:14 HR 48, RR 16, T 38.1 °C, CRT 2 sec, gut sounds ↓ right.
Minute 20–40: Walk (Only if it Helps) & Ready to Go
Walk if—and only if— it reduces rolling and the horse leads safely. Stop if the horse is trying to throw itself down or becomes sweaty/exhausted.
No laps for the sake of laps. Walking is a comfort tool, not a treatment.
Prep to trailer: Place shipping boots if the horse tolerates them. Park trailer for straight, illuminated loading. Clear bystanders and dogs.
Recheck vitals at ~30–35 min: Look for trends (stable, improving, or rising HR/temperature, worsening gums, fewer gut sounds).
Example trend: 12:14 HR 48 → 12:32 HR 56 (rising), RR 20, quiet gut sounds R side, two attempts to roll. This is more concerning than a single number.
Minute 40–60: Call/Update Vet & Follow Instructions
Call or text your vet with a bullet summary:
Vitals with times (not just the latest).
Behavior pattern (how often pain cycles repeat).
No manure since… / last normal manure at…
Recent changes (feed, travel, weather swings).
Follow the plan: You may be asked to trailer, keep the horse quiet for a farm call, or stop walking. Do not administer meds without instruction.
💡Pro tip: Keep a note template on your phone: “Colic check—Time / HR / RR / Temp / Gums/CRT / Gut sounds L/R / Behavior / Manure / Notes.” It turns panic into a checklist.
Micro-Checklist (mirrors the plan)
Secure area, remove feed, leave water.
Start behavior timestamps; prep trailer.
HR / RR / Temp / Gums & CRT / Gut sounds (record with times).
Walk only if it reduces rolling (no fatigue).
Recheck vitals; call/update vet with trend + behavior notes.
Keep kit and halter ready by the door; protect people first.
Quick refresher on counting pulse and what “normal” means? See Average Heart Rate for a Horse for ranges and a step-by-step count method.
Red-Flag Vitals & Decision Triggers
You’re watching two things: the level of each vital and the direction it’s moving. A single out-of-range value matters, but a number that climbs over 20–30 minutes is the louder siren. Pair what you measure with what you see—rolling, depression, or an absence of manure will change the urgency.
Red-Flag Vitals & Decision Triggers
Here’s how to use the table. If one red flag is present—especially a heart rate over 60 bpm—call your vet and be ready to move if advised. If you see two or more flags, or a worsening trend (e.g., HR 44 → 56 → 64 bpm), treat it as urgent even if the horse looks quiet between pain cycles. The classic concerning trio is rising HR, no manure, and quiet or absent gut sounds.
Document with times beside each recheck. “12:14 HR 48; 12:32 HR 56; 12:50 HR 64” tells a far clearer story than “high pulse.” If you need a refresher on pulse technique or normal ranges, skim Average Heart Rate for a Horse after you’ve called.
What to Tell Your Vet (Speeds Triage)
Think in headlines, not lists. Open with the trend: the numbers and the times you took them. For example: “HR 44 at 12:10 → 56 at 12:32; RR 20; Temp 38.2 °C; CRT 3 sec.” That single line shows trajectory and buys you faster, more precise instructions.
Add one or two sentences on behavior and safety. Are pain episodes cycling every few minutes? Is the horse trying to roll despite short, calm walks? Can it be safely led, or is it going down? Mention manure plainly—“no manure since 7:00 a.m.” is more useful than “less than usual.”
Offer brief recent changes that might raise suspicion. A new hay type or portion, a pasture flush after rain, a long trailer ride, competition stress, or a switch in concentrates all matter. If you’ll need to revisit ration quality and transitions later, our primers on The Basics of Equine Nutrition and Orchard vs Timothy vs Alfalfa are good context for prevention—but keep the call focused on facts from the last 24–48 hours.
Close with a clear ask so your vet can choose farm call vs. haul-in: “Trailer is hitched and ready. Would you like us to come now or wait for you here?” If you can send a photo of gums or a 10-second video of breathing effort, ask if that would help them triage on the move.
Sample call text:
“12:10 HR 44, RR 16, Temp 38.1 °C, CRT 2 sec, gut sounds ↓ R. Pain every 8–10 min, quiet between. No manure since 7:00 a.m.; feed removed, water available. 12:32 HR 56, RR 20, CRT 3 sec, gut sounds absent R; tried to roll twice despite short walk. Trailer ready. Prefer farm call or haul-in?”
Aftercare & Prevention Basics
Hydration (first 24–72 hours)
Offer two clean buckets, refreshed often; many horses drink more if water is lukewarm in cold weather. Track intake by marking bucket levels and noting refills. Daily plain salt supports steady drinking (set amounts with the Salt & Electrolyte Calculator).
Re-feeding (vet-directed)
Go forage first, small and frequent. If cleared to resume grain, ramp over 3–7 days (25% → 50% → 75% → 100%). Keep hay consistent by weighing flakes. If the ration needs a reset, revisit energy/fiber balance in The Basics of Equine Nutrition and align forage choice with work and metabolism in Orchard vs Timothy vs Alfalfa.
Movement & routine
Use light hand-walking or small-paddock turnout if approved. Return to work gradually; avoid fatigue. Keep a fixed daily schedule (feed/turnout/work)—regular rhythm favors gut motility.
Parasites
Match deworming to fecal egg counts and season. Log product/dose/date and plan follow-ups with the Equine Deworming Schedule Planner.
Weight & body condition
Measure, don’t guess. Track girth/length and BCS (1–9) weekly with the Horse Weight & BCS Calculator. Aim forage at ~1.5–2.0% BW/day (dry matter) unless your vet directs otherwise.
What to watch this week
Post a mini stall card for HR, RR, manure count/consistency, water refills, feed eaten. If resting HR/resp climbs, manure turns scant/dry, or pain behaviors return, call early.
When to escalate (post-episode)
Contact your vet promptly for no manure, falling water intake, rising resting HR/RR, fever (>38.6 °C / 101.5 °F), or tacky/abnormal gums. Early intervention prevents relapse.
FAQs: Emergency Colic Kit
Can walking make colic worse?
Sometimes. Walking is a comfort tool, not a treatment. If walking clearly reduces attempts to roll and the horse leads safely, use short, calm bouts. Stop immediately if the horse is trying to throw itself down, becomes sweaty or exhausted, or walking interferes with getting accurate vitals and calling your vet.
How often should I recheck vitals during colic?
Every 10–20 minutes in the first hour is reasonable unless your vet instructs otherwise. Always write the time beside each number. A trend like “HR 44 → 56 → 64 bpm” tells your vet far more than a single snapshot and strongly influences farm-call vs. haul-in decisions. If you need a refresher on technique, scan The Horse’s Vital Signs.
When is it safe to trailer?
Trailer when your veterinarian advises or when red-flags suggest time-critical care and you have discussed a plan en route. The horse must be safe to load and travel; a violently painful horse can injure itself or handlers. Prep the trailer early (hitch, mats, lighting) so you’re ready if the plan changes.
What if pain stops after I remove feed—is the horse “fine”?
Not necessarily. Pain can wax and wane with gas or early impaction, then return. Keep feed out, leave water, recheck vitals on a schedule, and discuss the trend with your vet. Passing normal manure and returning to normal vitals/behavior over time is more reassuring than a brief quiet period.
What information helps the vet most on the phone?
A time-stamped trend (HR/RR/Temp/CRT/gut sounds), brief behavior pattern (frequency of pain cycles, attempts to roll), manure status, and any recent changes (forage switch, pasture flush, travel, meds, deworming). Keep it factual and short; ask clearly whether to wait for a farm call or trailer now.
Does weather or forage change colic risk?
Yes. Rapid weather swings can alter water intake and motility, and sudden forage changes (new bale, lush pasture) can shift gas and impaction risk. Plan gradual transitions and daily salt; our Salt & Electrolyte Calculator can help maintain steady intake. For longer-term ration design, see The Basics of Equine Nutrition and forage selection in Orchard vs Timothy vs Alfalfa.
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