Over-eaten pastures and areas where forage is thin, forcing horses to nibble close to the ground, has recently been leading to an increase in sand colic according to veterinarians. When horses nibble low-lying forage and ingest sand in areas where sandy soil is the norm, the sand settles in the gut, causing the horse to suffer the pain of sand colic.
Horse with symptoms of acute sand colic
Impaction colic from ingesting sand may result in horses rolling, kicking or biting at flanks, pawing and sweating.
According to veterinatians one of the causes of colic, ingestion of sand, can be a substantial risk to certain horses.
This alert is especially important in states that are used to cold winters with a slow melting snow cover that allows plants to grow before horses are turned out to forage. Given the warmer winter conditions and lack of snow in many areas this year, horses may be turned out to forage before plant growth reaches acceptable heights.
Early signs of excess sand in the equine gut include sluggish behavior, weight loss, diarrhea, and standing in a stretched position. Impaction colic from ingesting sand may result in horses rolling, kicking or biting at flanks, pawing and sweating.
Horses ingest sand either through grazing or eating hay or grain from the ground. The problem is most prevalent in the semi-arid west and southwestern states and the coastal states, although it can be a problem in any state.
Soil or âdirtâ consists of a certain amount of sand, which is a naturally occurring finely divided rock. In fact, many soils not only contain sand, but also contain silt which is an even finer particle of rock and some contain gravel which are the rock particles that are larger than sand.
The silt, sand and gravel ingested must travel through the digestive system of the horse to be removed within the feces. One of the problems associated with this situation is that the sand and gravel and to a lesser degree the silt can produce irritation within the digestive system.
Additionally, in certain situations the sand can accumulate within the digestive system and the irritation can intensify due to this accumulation. As sand accumulates in the intestinal tract, a combination of the irritant effects and the weight of the sand can lead to impaired motility, reduced absorption of nutrients including water and thus, digestive upset.
If the accumulation of sand continues, the resultant digestive upset will eventually lead to poor condition, diarrhea and eventually colic. Making the situation even more troubling is the fact that clearance of the sand from the large colon, where most sand accumulates, requires adequate gastrointestinal motility. Once the sand begins to collect in the colon, any resulting reduction in motility will further add to the horseâs accumulation of sand and gravel.
Prevention of sand colic involves keeping horses off of sandy soil where forage is limited, feeding on mats, and avoiding the use of sand as a means of dealing with mud in areas where horses are turned out.
According to Michigan State University Equine Extension veterinarian Dr. Judy Marteniuk, âIt can take weeks or months for sand to be moved out of the horse's digestive track, depending upon the amount present." If sand accumulation in the horse's gut or early signs of sand colic appear, a veterinarian's advice is important in preventing a life-threatening case of sand colic.