Eating sand: causes, consequences, and solutions

Eating sand and sand colic are common occurrences in the Netherlands. However, it is not always easy to know if your horse is indeed ingesting too much sand. The symptoms of sand accumulation are sometimes vague and sand does not always come out with the manure every day. What exactly is the situation and what can you do to keep your horse as 'sand-free' as possible?

If a horse ingests more sand than it expels, a heavy and compact layer of sand forms at the bottom of the intestine. This leads to various problems, not only in digestion but also in the horse's movement. The accumulated sand can cause loose stools and abdominal pain, but it can also interfere with training. In the worst case scenario, sand can cause a twist or blockage in the intestine and give the horse (life-threatening) colic.

Therefore, you should try to prevent sand ingestion as much as possible. And if your horse does ingest too much sand, it is wise to regularly 'flush' it out of the intestines.

How to recognize problems with sand and sand colic?

Sand colic and sand accumulation in the intestines are quite common in horses, but are not always recognized. This is because there can be multiple symptoms that occur separately or simultaneously. You can recognize sand problems by:

• Mild or even severe colic
• Recurring colic
• Diarrhea or softer stools ('puddings')
• Weight loss

But these symptoms can also indicate sand in the intestines:

• Fever
• Decreased appetite
• General weakness
• Depression
• Inability to tolerate training
• Pain on the right flank, near the cecum
• Difficulty transitioning to right lead canter

Horses with sand colic often have more than one of the above symptoms, but certainly not always! Diarrhea combined with colic is a very clear indication of sand colic. In the Netherlands, sand colic is particularly common in the autumn and winter.

How much sand do horses ingest?

Horses ingest sand when grazing on short or barren pastures, when eating dusty or sandy hay, or when 'licking sand' in the paddock. Even when they eat hay from the bare ground, they may take in some sand. Not only pure sand, but also mud, clay, and other types of soil can cause sand colic.

It is very normal for a horse to ingest a small amount of sand. Horses can effectively process small amounts of soil or sand themselves. The sand is expelled every few days with the manure. In fact, all horses have a small amount of sand in their stomachs without any issues. The problem begins when more sand enters your horse than exits.

In severe cases of sand accumulation, up to 60% of the intestinal contents can be occupied by sand. All that sand blocks the passage of food and makes the intestines heavy and painful. In extreme cases, up to 40 kilograms of sand have been found in a single horse! Pebbles and small stones are also often found among the sand accumulations in horse stomachs.

Horses become sluggish when carrying kilograms of sand and are often less trainable. Because much of the sand accumulates in the cecum, which is located on the right side of the stomach, horses with sand accumulation often struggle with bending or transitioning to the right lead canter.

What to do in case of sand colic?

In cases of acute sand colic, you must immediately call the vet. The vet may provide your horse with painkillers and try to expel the sand from the intestines using a nasogastric tube with paraffin oil. You will likely also receive psyllium seeds to mix into the feed. These seeds contain mucilage, which helps to eliminate the sand from the abdomen. It may take days or weeks before your horse is cleansed. In severe cases, a colic surgery may even be necessary. The intestine can rupture or twist, or even partially die due to the sand accumulation.

Preventing problems with sand!

Ideally, we want to prevent our horses from getting sand colic. This means that we must ensure they ingest as little sand as possible and that any sand they do ingest is efficiently removed.

The best way to prevent your horse from ingesting too much sand is by:

• Always feeding hay from bins or on a tiled floor or mats.
• Not allowing your horse to graze on a short or barren pasture.
• Feeding non-dusty hay.
• Ensuring your horse receives enough minerals.
• Providing a supplement that reduces your horse's desire to eat sand.
• Putting a mask on your horse in the sand paddock (ensure your horse can still eat regularly).
• Preventing boredom (some horses eat sand out of boredom)

Mineral deficiency leads to sand ingestion

Sometimes, horses dig holes and lick sand because they have a deficiency in certain minerals. This can vary by region, depending on the soil type. Dutch hay has become quite poor in minerals in recent years, so it is possible that your horse has a slight deficiency. The vet can check this through a blood test for certain minerals. You can also hang a salt or mineral lick to see if this reduces sand ingestion.

Supplementing with Silicon

Sand consists mostly of silicon oxide. Silicon is an essential element for horses and humans, but it is not absorbable from sand. So, your horse can ingest a lot of sand, but it will not improve their silicon deficiency. Studies show that silicon stimulates collagen production and bone formation. A silicon deficiency can lead to decreased bone density and osteoporosis. Silicon likely also plays a role in immune processes and inflammatory reactions and contributes to the absorption of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and copper, according to some studies. A study on silicon supplements in racehorses showed that providing bioavailable silicon improves performance and endurance and can prevent injuries in horses. A crucial mineral indeed!

Since silicon from sand is not absorbed, you must provide it in a different form if you suspect a silicon deficiency in your horse. Hydrolyzed (liquid) silicon can be utilized by the body. It can help prevent your horse from eating sand and also support the health of tendons, ligaments, joints, coat, and hooves.

Does my horse have sand accumulation?

If your horse seems a bit lethargic, sensitive on the right hip (where the cecum is located), or has loose stools, they may have too much sand in their stomach. But how can you be sure? You can test your horse's manure for sand. Take two or three manure balls and place them in a plastic bag or a plastic glove.

Add water and create a 'manure soup'. Hang the plastic bag or glove for a few minutes and let the 'soup' settle for 5 to 10 minutes. If you use a rectangular bag, you can hang it diagonally, with one point down. After settling, you will see the sand that was in the manure at the bottom of the fingers of the glove or the plastic bag. If the total amount is more than a teaspoon, it is too much.

Keep in mind that sand does not come out of the intestines every day! It is wise to test for three consecutive days, for example. If you do not find any sand but are still concerned, give a sand cure and continue testing the manure daily to monitor developments.

Sand in the intestines cannot be seen with standard ultrasound equipment. It is located too deep inside the horse. Only a powerful X-ray can show sand in the intestines.

'Flushing' sand out of your horse

If you suspect your horse is ingesting too much sand, it is advisable to regularly give them a 'sand cure'. These cures consist of psyllium, a plant that contains a lot of mucilage. Some sand cures also add probiotics to support the intestinal flora. Horses that ingest a lot of sand can be given a cure every month to six weeks for one week.

Psyllium can be fed as whole seeds or ground. Psyllium contains mucilage and absorbs a lot of water, increasing in volume by more than five times. This creates a sticky mass in the horse's intestines, which helps remove the sand. You can give psyllium mixed with water or dry over the feed to your horse. Make sure there is always sufficient fresh drinking water available.

You can test during the cure to see if the sand is indeed coming out with the manure. Use the manure test described above. By day 5 or day 6, the sand with the manure should be expelled.

Other measures

Sometimes horses eat sand out of boredom or because they do not receive enough roughage. So, provide plenty of hay and ensure your horse is not alone, but can socialize with another horse. Toys in the paddock or a slow feeder can also reduce boredom.