How do I recognize the early signs of colic in a horse?

Early recognition of colic dramatically improves outcomes, and the signs in the early stages are often subtle enough that less experienced owners miss them until the horse is in significant distress. The earliest indicators are behavioral changes: a horse that is quieter than normal, disinterested in hay or grain that it normally eats eagerly, or repeatedly turning its head to look at its flank is signaling abdominal discomfort. Pawing at the ground is a classic early sign, as is standing with the hind legs stretched back in a posture that looks like the horse is trying to urinate. Rolling is the sign most people associate with colic, but by the time a horse is throwing itself down and rolling violently, the situation has already escalated. Check the horse's gut sounds by placing your ear or a stethoscope against the flank on both sides — you should hear rumbling, gurgling digestive sounds in each quadrant. Absence of gut sounds in one or more quadrants is a warning sign requiring veterinary contact. Monitor heart rate: a resting rate above 50 beats per minute in a horse showing any of the above signs warrants a call to your vet. When in doubt, call — early veterinary intervention is almost always more effective and less expensive than waiting for the situation to clarify itself.