What Is Sand Colic in Horses?
Sand colic is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition caused by the accumulation of sand in a horse’s digestive tract, particularly in the hindgut (caecum and colon). This condition commonly affects horses grazing short pastures or eating hay and feed directly off sandy soils.
As sand builds up in the gut over time, it can lead to obstruction, gut damage, and even intestinal rupture if left untreated. Severe cases may require surgical intervention to remove the sand.
Signs and Symptoms of Sand Colic
Early signs of sand colic are often subtle and can include:
- Intermittent or chronic diarrhoea
- Lethargy and lying down more than usual
- Watching or kicking at the flank
- Poor appetite and low-grade abdominal discomfort
- Dull, persistent signs of pain without obvious cause
As sand accumulates and causes a physical blockage, symptoms progress to resemble obstructive colic, including:
- Acute abdominal pain
- Pawing, rolling, or violent attempts to lie down
- Elevated heart rate and signs of distress
- No manure passed, or very dry, gritty manure
What Causes Sand Colic in Horses?
Sand colic typically occurs when horses:
- Graze short, sparse pastures on sandy soils
- Eat hay or feed off the ground, particularly in dry, dusty conditions
- Are confined to sandy paddocks or arenas with little forage available
Once ingested, sand settles in the caecum, a blind sac in the digestive tract similar to the human appendix. Because sand is dense and heavy, it tends to stay in the caecum and colon, where it can build up over time.
How Sand Colic Progresses
Initial stage:
Sand accumulates slowly, putting pressure on the intestinal lining and restricting blood flow, causing low-grade, dull pain.
Advanced stage:
Once sand reaches a certain volume, it may block the gut, stopping the flow of digesta.
Critical stage:
The buildup causes severe bloating, acute pain, and in the worst cases, gut rupture, leading to peritonitis and death if not treated promptly.
How Diet Can Help Prevent and Manage Sand Colic
1. Remove the Source of Sand
- Take horses off sandy pasture or dry paddocks
- Feed hay in racks or bins, not directly on the ground
- Avoid feeding directly on sandy surfaces
2. Feed to Support Digesta Movement
- Choose feeds with a high water-holding capacity (e.g. coconut meal) to support gut hydration and motility
- Select high-fibre, low-NSC feeds to encourage healthy gut movement
- Avoid high-starch or high-NSC feeds, which do not aid in sand removal
3. Consider Psyllium Supplements
- Psyllium husk, made from the seed of the fleawort plant, swells and becomes gel-like when moistened
- Acts as a laxative and may help move small amounts of sand through the digestive tract
- Widely used in humans and livestock for promoting intestinal health
- Research suggests psyllium may be less effective for removing large accumulations of sand, but it can be useful as a preventative measure
- Sandbuster contains Psyllium, copra meal and bentonite to maximise swelling and gel formation assist digesta passga e
4. Be Cautious with Oil Supplementation
- Feeding oil (like coconut or vegetable oil) may not help prevent sand colic, as most oils are digested before they reach the hindgut
- Focus instead on hydration and fibre to assist gut clearance
Tips for Preventing Sand Colic in Horses
- Feed horses on rubber mats, in bins, or from raised hay racks
- Rotate pastures to avoid overgrazing and short grass exposure
- Provide adequate forage to keep the gut full and moving
Use digestive support feeds with fibre and natural lubricants like coconut meal
- Monitor manure for signs of sand, place it in a clear bucket of water and look for sediment
- Consider periodic psyllium supplementation, especially if horses are kept in sandy areas
Summary: Sand Colic in Horses
Sand colic is preventable with the right management and feeding practices. Horses kept on sandy soils or dry paddocks are at the greatest risk. Feeding off the ground, ensuring adequate forage, and choosing feeds that support gut motility and hydration are key to avoiding this potentially fatal condition.
