24/10/2026
COLIC ‼️ ALERT
DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS & HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN?
(Picture for attention - not the actual horse).
Yesterday at 2:30pm, a horse we see every Friday was showing obvious signs of colic - abdominal discomfort; pawing, rolling repeatedly and generally looking very uncomfortable.
While veterinary advice was suggested immediately, his owner had a homeopathic oral preparation available containing Arnica.
We administered 5mls in a syringe across the horses tongue and gently walked him while he was comfortable doing so.
Within 10 minutes we noticed a clear improvement in his behaviour. Further 5ml doses of the homeopathic preparation were given every 15 minutes while he continued to be monitored.
Important to observe that Colic episodes can change rapidly for many different reasons, and veterinary assessment remains the safest way to determine what is happening internally.
However, over approximately 26 years I have personally kept homeopathic preparations such as Arnica 30c and Nux Vomica oral liquid on hand and have used them as part of my own supportive management in 4 very serious colic situation and several mild ones.
I have witnessed some incredible recoveries, one where the Vet had given up! Including a mare with foal at foot, and some cases where the horse was extremely unwell, but with walking the horse and administering Arnica/Nux Vomica we saved them.
Thank goodness for my homeopathic chemist telling me about all the results he’s had through the Racing Industry.
If you know what colic looks like and notice changes early, you can help your horses’ gut relax and stop them from rolling…
Even if your vet is on the way, there is something you can do to help -
especially if you know your horse’s normal behaviour.
I’ve seen travel colic.
Colic from fresh grass.
From drought.
And from no apparent reason.
Common signs can include:
- pawing,
- looking at the flank,
- repeated lying down or rolling,
- kicking at the abdomen,
- sweating,
- loss of appetite,
- stretching,
- reduced manure production
- and changes in demeanour.
Gentle walking may be useful if your horse is comfortable and it is safe to do so, but don’t exhaust a distressed horse trying to keep them moving. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for your particular situation.
Being prepared at 2:30 in the morning and having the remedies on hand can be priceless.
If you’d like to know more about the practical horse-care knowledge and emergency preparation I keep around my own horses, send me a PM.
Pip Easton | Infinity Equestrian
Lead with Truth.