Lack of snow cover in pastures and other areas where horses forage is causing veterinarians to warn their clients about an increase in sand colic. 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.
Symptoms of acute sand colic
Impaction colic from ingesting sand may result in horses rolling, kicking or biting at flanks, pawing and sweating.
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. Excess sand may irritate the lining of the horse's gut, producing colic symptoms. In acute cases, impaction colic may result with horses presenting the signs of colic including frequent rolling, kicking or biting at flanks, pawing and sweating.
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, “it can take weeks or months for sand to be moved out of the digestive track, depending upon the amount present."
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Learn more about colic by reading Emergency Colic Treatment