There are many risk factors that predispose a horse to colic, including age, breed, and temperament.
Foals and young horses are more prone to colic than adult horses, and colic is also more common in certain breeds of horses, such as Arabians and American Saddlebreds.
Colic can be triggered by a change in the environment or diet. These changes can include things such as a new place, a different feed, and even stress from being transported to a new location. Horses who are stabled all the time are more prone to colic than horses who are allowed to roam free.
Temperament also plays a role in colic risk, as nervous or high-strung horses are more likely to get colic than horses who are naturally calmer.