Colic surgery is a scary thing for any equestrian to hear. Beyond the immediate fear for a horse’s life, there’s often a looming question: Will my horse ever return to the same level of competition?
A new study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association provides reassuring data for warmblood jumping horses: performance outcomes are not significantly reduced following colic surgery.
What the Study Looked At
Researchers from five equine hospitals reviewed records from 2011 through 2021. To be included, horses had to:
- Be warmbloods registered as hunters or jumpers with the US Equestrian Federation.
- Have undergone colic surgery and survived to discharge.
The team examined clinical data such as age, sex, and type of intestinal lesion, along with competition records before and after surgery. Performance data included discipline, jump height, number of starts, wins, and placings.
Main Findings
Ninety horses met the study’s criteria. The results paint a far more positive picture than many might expect:
68% returned to competition.
- 26% returned at a lower level.
- 27% returned at the same level.
- 16% competed at a higher level than before surgery.
Jumpers fared better than hunters. Jumpers were 3.38 times more likely to return to competition than hunters.
Performance held steady. Neither discipline showed a significant difference between performance data before and after surgery.
Age mattered. Each additional year of age reduced the chance of returning at the same or higher level by nearly 30%.
Lesion type mattered. Horses with large intestinal strangulating or small intestinal strangulating lesions were less likely to return to their previous or higher level compared to those with large intestinal nonstrangulating lesions.
But the key takeaway is that the majority of jumping horses returned to performance following colic surgery.
Why This Matters
Colic is one of the most feared emergencies in equine care. Even when surgery is successful, owners often wonder whether a competitive career can continue. This research suggests that for many warmblood hunters and jumpers, surgery does not mean retirement.
The data also challenges long-standing assumptions in the sport. For decades, colic surgery has carried a reputation as a lifesaving but career-limiting event. This study provides evidence that, at least for jumping horses, the story is often much more encouraging.
Interpreting the Results
While the study delivers concrete numbers, some takeaways require context:
- Hunter vs. jumper differences. The research showed jumpers were more likely to return to competition than hunters, but it did not explore why. Possible explanations might include differences in training demands, show schedules, or owner decision-making, but these remain speculative.
- Age and lesion type. The link between younger age and better outcomes, as well as between lesion severity and prognosis, provides actionable information for owners and veterinarians making decisions regarding measures used to treat colic.
- Recovery process. The study did not address how long rehabilitation takes or what management practices support success. Owners should still expect several months of rest and carefully structured rehab after colic surgery, based on general veterinary guidance.
A Shift in Perspective When Deciding on Colic Surgery
This research encourages a more optimistic outlook. While colic surgery is undeniably serious, its long-term impact on performance may not be as limiting as once feared. For veterinarians, trainers, and owners, the message is clear: with the right case, the decision to proceed with colic surgery might save your horse’s life and your show career with them.
Chanutin, S. S., Elliott, C. R. B., Fielding, A. S., Brown, P. M., McCreary, C. A., Bennet, E. D., & Davis, W. (2025). Performance outcomes are not reduced following colic surgery in warmblood jumping horses. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Advance online publication.
