Background
Elise (@eliseepowerr) and Zoe, both experienced horsewomen and dedicated equestrians, noticed something was off with their horse, Coco. Six months earlier, Coco had suffered a severe colic diagnosed as a right dorsal displacement of the large colon. During this colic episode Coco required a lengthy stay at the equine hospital and was very lucky to make a full recovery. Upon discharge, Coco required ongoing off-site care as Elise and Zoe do not reside at their grazing and their busy careers meant around the clock monitoring was not possible.
Six months later when the second colic occurred, Elise and Zoe noticed something was off with Coco. She was subtly displaying previous colic symptoms of flank watching, stretching out, and pacing in the paddock. They immediately put a HorseSafe device on Coco which was being worn by another horse at the time to monitor her symptoms until the vet could arrive. As many horse owners know, colic can escalate quickly, early intervention, and symptom monitoring is often the key to a positive outcome, as was the case for Coco.
The Challenge
Colic is one of the most common yet unpredictable health issues in horses. It can present with signs as mild as a change in behaviour or appetite, or as severe as repeated rolling and distress. For Elise and Zoe, catching these early warning signs while also managing daily responsibilities and not being glued to the paddock was a real challenge. Like many owners, they needed a reliable way to monitor Coco without constant physical checks or second-guessing.
Emotionally, it was a confronting experience. Going into a second colic episode after such a traumatic experience six months earlier came with heightened anxiety of what may be ahead. Thankfully Coco’s colic resolved with only one night in hospital care, but Elise and Zoe both felt the aftercare was the most daunting aspect of Coco’s illness.
Elise later shared how anxious she felt knowing that something could be wrong but not having clear answers.
“It’s that awful feeling of not knowing, are we overreacting, or should we be calling the vet?” she said.
“You’re torn between leaving them alone and camping out to check on them every hour.”
Solution: HorseSafe
To manage Coco's condition with confidence, Elise and Zoe implemented HorseSafe — our smart, wearable device designed to track a horse's activity, movement, and wellness patterns in real time. HorseSafe played a significant role in both the detection and ongoing care in Coco’s colic episode. Zoe says, “without the alerts, we could so easily have lost precious time in accessing care, and with colic every minute matters. My only regret is not having a HorseSafe device on her sooner”.
Here’s how HorseSafe supported them through Coco’s colic episode:
- Activity Alerts: HorseSafe detected early irregularities in Coco’s routine — subtle changes in movement, lying down patterns, and reduced activity.
- Rolling Detection: The system picked up increased rolling frequency, one of the classic early indicators of abdominal discomfort.
- Flank Watching Notifications: Coco’s primary colic sign was flank watching. Through the HorseSafe mobile app, Zoe could receive notifications 24/7 if Coco’s flank watching exceeded a personalized threshold for concern. This meant she didn’t need to check the app constantly and had peace of mind even through the night in the early stages of recovery.
- Remote Monitoring: With real-time data and alerts sent to their phones, Elise and Zoe could monitor Coco’s condition without disturbing her unnecessarily, ensuring she had the rest she needed. It also meant that unlike the first colic, Coco returned home at the earliest possible stage. This significantly reduced the financial burden of ongoing care and allowed a much smoother experience for Coco who struggles to adjust to new environments.
Outcome
Thanks to HorseSafe, Elise and Zoe were able to monitor Coco’s recovery closely and confidently in their own care. The insights from the device reassured them that Coco’s condition wasn’t worsening, which helped guide their decision-making during a delicate time. The ability to track real-time changes and respond accordingly gave them peace of mind and continues to provide them great insight and daily comfort. Elise later described the experience as “incredibly reassuring.”
She said, “When she came home we could see in real time that she was starting to settle. We weren’t just guessing, we had the data to back up what we were seeing. That kind of peace of mind is priceless when your horse is part of the family.”
Zoe mentioned that it had made a significant difference in her ability to function normally while Coco was recovering.
“During the first colic, I took many days off work and had countless sleepless nights checking her hourly for peace of mind. With HorseSafe I was able to continue with my day-to-day and not be unnecessarily disturbing her, it was game changing for my mental wellness.”
Conclusion
For Elise and Zoe, HorseSafe was more than a gadget. It was a lifeline during a stressful time. It helped them monitor early signs of colic, reduced unnecessary intervention, and allowed Coco to recover safely with minimal stress.
In Elise’s words: “It gave us peace of mind at a time when we really needed it.”
HorseSafe continues to prove its value as a trusted partner in equine wellness, giving owners the tools to respond faster, care smarter, and sleep a little easier.
Because when your horse’s wellness is on the line, knowing sooner matters.
