What should be done to monitor a horse experiencing colic?

Monitoring a horse experiencing colic is crucial for assessing its condition and determining if further veterinary intervention is needed. Regularly checking the horse's vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, provides essential information about its overall health and can indicate whether the colic is worsening or stabilizing. Abnormal vital signs can signify distress or an underlying issue that may require immediate attention.

While it may seem intuitive to provide hay or limit water, doing so could worsen the situation or neglect the horse's basic needs. Encouraging rest is also important, but it should be paired with the monitoring of vital signs to ensure the horse's safety. Regularly checking these parameters can be decisive in ensuring the horse receives timely care if its condition deteriorates.