Colic Surgery: Words from the Wise

Hear from owners who said 'yes' to colic surgery. Learn what helped them make the decision, how it went, and whether they would do it all again.

- BY BARB CRABBE, DVM

Your horse is amazing, and you couldn't be happier. Every ride is great, and every day you wonder, How did I get so lucky.

Then the doubts set in. It's hard to beat them back. I mean, he is a horse, after all. What if he gets hurt? What if he goes lame? And the worst nightmare of all, what if he needs colic surgery?

You've heard so many stories. People say colic surgery is incredibly expensive. (It is!) They warn that the recovery process is a nightmare. (Some are, some aren't—but no matter what, it's a long, hard road.) And perhaps most frightening of all, they claim horses never come back the same. (Some may struggle, but others return even better than before!)

One thing is true. Every horse's colic surgery experience is different, and every owner who has been through the ordeal has a story to tell. Because no colic is exactly like another, not only are the stories highly variable, there's very little consistent scientific data on colic surgery outcomes to help make things clear if you find yourself facing a colic surgery decision.

So how do you decide? In this article, we're going to start by looking at five undeniable facts. These are the things you'll need to understand and accept in every situation should your horse need colic surgery. Next, we'll talk to three owners with three very different horses who decided to proceed with surgery. We'll learn what factors influenced their decision, what they experienced before and after surgery, and finally, whether they would do it all again.

Five Fast Facts About Colic Surgery