Which of the following is a potential cause of colic in horses?

• A. Regular, balanced feeding
• B. Regular exercise
• C. Adequate hydration
• D. Irregular feeding

Answer: (D)

Colic risk in horses is strongly linked to how the gut is fed and moved. Horses thrive on steady, grazing-like intake, so irregular feeding disrupts normal gastrointestinal motility. Long gaps between meals followed by large portions can cause uneven fermentation, gas buildup, and changes in gut motility that may lead to pain, gas colic, or impaction. Maintaining a regular, balanced feeding schedule helps keep motility steady and fermentation predictable, reducing these fluctuations. Regular exercise supports gut movement and helps prevent sluggish motility, while adequate hydration keeps the digestive contents moving smoothly and lowers the chance of impactions. So irregular feeding stands out as a potential cause of colic because it destabilizes the gut’s normal transit and fermentation patterns, whereas the other practices promote gut health and reduce risk.