Approximately 150 horses suffering from various forms of colic are admitted to the Hospital every year. Of these about 50% respond to medical treatment, but about 50% require an emergency exploratory laparotomy (i.e. abdominal surgery). Recent statistics show an 80-85% survival rate for these cases (i.e. 80-85% are discharged alive from the Hospital). Early referral for surgery and an experienced nursing team are major factors that have led to such high success rates for colic surgery.

We are currently undertaking a number of innovative research projects looking aat new ways of managing colic cases, including studies on nutrition after colic surgery, monitoring post-operative gut motility using ultrasound and the efficacy of belly bands as post-operative bandages. In short we are doing everything we can to help the horses under our care recover as quickly and comfortably as possible.