Colic is one of the most feared conditions encountered by horse owners. However, the term “colic” only refers to abdominal pain without identifying the cause of the disease. Although the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is often the cause of abdominal pain, other abnormalities can also cause signs of colic in the horse. Some gastrointestinal causes of colic include intestinal displacement of part of the gastrointestinal tract, blockage by food or a foreign body, and inflammation [17]. The most common factors that can cause the pain associated with colic are spasms caused by contractions of the intestinal wall and distension due to fluid accumulation or ingestion which causes expansion of the intestine and ischemia of the gastro tract. -intestinal due to dehydration [8]. Previous research studies have looked at cases of colic seen by on-farm veterinarians, 46% were spasmodic colic, 29% were large intestinal impactions, 11% were undiagnosed, 8% were the result of inflammation of the small intestine and 6% were strangulating obstructions [16].Horses are hindgut fermenters, meaning that bacteria aid in the digestion of roughage in the cecum and large intestine [ 21]. A horse's gastrointestinal tract is approximately 100 feet long. long and holds approximately 50 gallons of water and ingesta or food. The gastrointestinal tract begins with the stomach, which holds up to 5 gallons of fluid or food [7,33]. Enzyme secretion and acid production are two of the main functions of the gastrointestinal tract [34]. Ingestion is transmitted from the stomach to the small intestine, which includes the duodenum, jejunum and ileum [32-34]. The duodenum is the site of secretion of bile and pancreatic enzymes. The jejunum is where amino acids, fatty acids, glucose, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes are absorbed. This part of...... middle of document ...... as a cause of intestinal disease in horses. Parasitology Today, 15(4), 156-158.30 Abbott, JB and Barrett, EJ (2008). The problem of diagnosing tapeworm infections in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 40(1), 5-6.31 Slocombe, JOD (1979). Prevalence and treatment of tapeworms in horses. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 20, 136-140.32 Dyce, KM, Sack, WO and Wensing, CJ (2002). Textbook of veterinary anatomy. Philadelphia: Saunders.33 Dienhart, C. M. (1979). Basic human anatomy and physiology. Philadelphia: Saunders.34 Tinker, MK, White, NA, Lessard, P. (1997). Prospective study of risk factors for equine colic. Equine Vet J, 29(6):454-458.35 Hillyer, MH, Taylor, FG, French, NP (2001) A cross-sectional study of colic in horses on thoroughbred training premises in the British Isles in 1997 . Equine Vet J.; 33(4):380-385.