Lovely sunshine again! Unfortunately, the sun also brings drought, causing grass to grow more slowly and increasing the risk of horses ingesting more sand. Horses are generally capable of passing sand naturally. At Worm&Co, manure samples are always routinely tested for sand, but this is just a snapshot. That’s why we recommend testing yourself for three consecutive days from time to time.
Testing for sand
Do you suspect your horse may be carrying excess sand? You can easily test this at home. Watch the video by our sponsored rider Liset Dezijn for instructions.
NOTE: It’s important to test for 3–4 days in a row to get an accurate picture of the sand level.
Dissolve three normal manure balls in water in a transparent container (like a glove or measuring cup). Make sure the balls haven’t been in contact with sand. You can use cold or warm water — warm water dissolves faster. Sand will settle at the fingertips or bottom.
If more than a teaspoon settles at the bottom after half an hour, your horse may have enough sand in its intestines to cause blockage or colic. Since sand is not always excreted with every manure sample, it’s best to repeat the test over several days for a more accurate result.
Eating sand out of boredom or due to lack of forage
Horses may eat sand due to boredom or insufficient hay or grass. In rare cases, it’s linked to a mineral deficiency (e.g. due to low immunity or during shedding). It can also happen if grass is so short that roots are consumed without noticing. Sometimes it’s copied behavior from other horses in the pasture.
When it comes to sand colic, prevention is better than cure. Sand colic is caused by ingesting any type of sand. Avoid feeding hay or silage directly from the ground. Use a hay net or slow feeder instead. There are slow feeders designed to minimize hay falling to the ground. You can also use a grazing muzzle to prevent sand intake.
Another tip: place a rubber mat under the hay rack or slow feeder, and clean it from time to time.
Research shows that the daily intake of fresh, green grass helps flush sand out of the intestines. Regular exercise is also beneficial.
Feeding psyllium seed
In addition to exercise and pasture turnout, products containing psyllium seed are often used to help remove excess sand from the intestines. These seeds can absorb large amounts of water. Once psyllium enters the digestive tract, it expands to five times its volume. The resulting gel-like substance helps carry sand out of the system. Psyllium should be fed for a week mixed into the feed. Some people feed it once a month, but this may reduce its effectiveness.
Do not mix psyllium into mash, as it becomes sticky too soon. It should only become sticky once inside the digestive system. Make sure your horse has access to fresh water 24/7. Water is crucial for your horse’s health and especially important when feeding a psyllium-based product.
Symptoms of sand colic
A horse suffering from sand colic may show the following symptoms:
What should I do if my horse has sand colic?
If you suspect your horse has sand colic, do not wait — contact your vet immediately. Sand can cause a full blockage or even lead to twisting or displacement of the large intestine.
Questions? Feel free to contact us!
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