FEBRUARY 2026 THE RIDER /31


Equine Guelph Explains Colic Risk Factors Plus New Research on Recurrence


Guelph, ON Feb. 2, 2026 - Colic remains the number one killer of horses, other than old age, but horse owners can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of colic by understanding the many fac- tors that contribute to this serious condition. February is Colic Pre- vention Month at Equine Guelph and in just 10 minutes you can complete the FREE interactive Colic Risk Rater at TheHorse- Portal.ca/ColicTool. You will re- ceive valuable feedback on your horse’s risk based on your current management practices and prac- tical tips to reduce the odds of colic.


Did you know? Certain factors can signifi-


cantly increase a horse’s risk of colic, including: • Older age – Senior horses often face unique digestive challenges. • Management practices – Feed- ing routines that ignore the horse’s gastro-intestinal design as a trickle feeder can lead to diges- tive upset. • Previous colic - Horses that have experienced colic before may be at higher risk of recur- rence (read on for new research). These topics and more are


addressed in the free Colic Risk Rater. Then a deeper dive is available with Equine Guelph’s Gut Health & Colic/Ulcer Pre- vention online course on The- HorsePortal.ca, next scheduled for February 16 – 27, 2026. As horses age, their diges-


tive efficiency can decline, and dental issues may interfere with proper chewing. Reduced gut motility and dental challenges are addressed in the two-week short course. Management practices are


also discussed in detail as they have a major impact on GI health. Horses are designed to graze continuously, yet many feeding programs rely on large, infrequent meals. Sudden changes in feed, limited forage, and inconsistent turnout can dis- rupt gut health and raise the risk of impaction or gas colic. Many horse owners are sur-


prised by how much their Colic Risk Rater score improves after taking Equine Guelph’s Gut Health & Colic/Ulcer Prevention online course. This engaging short course delivers practical, easy-to-apply strategies for re- ducing colic risk. Both the Free Colic Risk


Rater and the Gut Health & Colic/Ulcer Prevention online course are kindly sponsored by Acera Insurance. “We can think of no better


risk management tool to prevent colic than education,” says Mike King, national lead of equine pro- grams at Acera Insurance Serv- ices Ltd. “This free tool and the Gut Health & Colic/Ulcer Pre- vention course offered by Equine Guelph are well worth the invest- ment—especially when you con- sider that severe cases can lead to costly, life-saving surgery.” While management and age


are important considerations, pre- vious colic episodes can be par- ticularly concerning. In fact, new research sheds light on why some horses are more prone to repeat occurrences and what can be done to reduce risk, especially in the case of left dorsal displace- ment colic.


surgery to close the space to re- duce the likelihood of future oc- currences of


left dorsal


displacement colic. A recent study investigated the effective- ness of this preventative surgery. “After the initial entrap-


ment is corrected, some horses are simply at higher risk of doing it again,” says Dr. Nicola Cribb from the department of Clinical


formed management. Education is your best defense—check out Equine Guelph’s resources and offerings today!


Reduce colic risk Free Colic Risk Rater: Bench- mark your barn’s practices and pinpoint areas to improve with the Colic Risk Rater tool. Short Course: Gut Health &


Colic/Ulcer Prevention February 16–27, 2026


About Equine Guelph: Equine Guelph is the horse


Nephrosplenic entrapment


occurs when part of the large colon moves into the natural gap between the spleen and the left kidney. This space can act like a trough that traps the colon, espe- cially if it is distended with gas. The result can be severe abdom- inal pain, obstruction, and, in some cases, the need for emer- gency colic surgery. Horses that experience this condition once can be at higher risk of recur- rence, which is why veterinarians often recommend preventative


Studies at the Ontario Veterinary College. “That’s why the preven- tative technique was devel- oped—to remove the ‘trough’ that invites the colon to fall in. Our long-term look shows most horses keep strong, mature adhe- sions for years.” While some cases, like


nephrosplenic entrapment, re- quire surgical intervention, the goal of prevention is to avoid costly, life-saving procedures whenever possible. Most colic risks can be reduced through in-


owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well- being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epi- centre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further


information, www.equineguelph.ca. visit


2026 Value Pricing


Farm Call Fee Waived / Reduced with Annual Vaccination and Float Visit


Hospital Multiple Surgery Discounts (castration, arthroscopy)


Contact Us and See Our Website for Details!


Less than 1% of hay fed in an Optimizer is


761 Davis Drive, Uxbridge ON L9P 1R3 905.852.0852


contact@maplecrestvet.ca www.maplecrestvet.ca


wasted on the ground. Manufactured in Ontario www.hayoptimizer.net


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