Sand Colic - The Surprising (Simple) Cure & Prevention

By Monique Warren

Sand colic is digestive upset resulting from the accumulation of ingested sand and dirt. It occurs when particles sink to the bottom of the intestines where abrasion irritates the intestinal lining and causes discomfort. Sand Colic is estimated to be responsible for approximately 30% of colic cases.
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Read on to learn the most effective means for removal and the best way to prevent the accumulation of sand.

​How Sand Accumulates In the Digestive Tract

​Horses, donkeys and mules ingest sand as they eat from the ground or graze short pastures. Scrounging for tiny bits of hay or grain further increases the sand-to-forage ratio exponentially - accelerating the accumulation of sand. Further sand accumulation can be experienced if there are periods of time without feedstuff traveling through the digestive tract. Without ingesta (substances taken into the body as nourishment; food and drink) to mix with and carry the sand particles out, gravity forces the sand to settle in the bottom of the intestines. 

Scrounging for tiny bits of hay between meals.

​Sand Colic Severity

• ​Mild sand colic symptoms include discomfort and diarrhea and may appear to be temporary. This is the time to implement reactive and proactive measures.
• Severe sand colic symptoms include weight loss, profuse diarrhea, ongoing intense discomfort resulting in eventual blockage or - worst case scenario - the intestines may become twisted, displaced or even rupture.
  

​(Surprisingly Simple) Prevention & Cure - Hay

According to studies at the University of Florida, hay is overwhelmingly the most effective way to move sand from the digestive tract and prevent accumulation.

The University of Florida tested four means of sand removal:

1. Hay fed at 1.5% of body weight
2. Hay fed at 2.5% of body weight
3. Hay fed at 1.5% of body weight, plus psyllium fed in a single daily dose
4. Hay fed at 1.5% of body weight with psyllium fed twice daily.

The results indicated that feeding hay at 2.5% of body weight (25 lbs. for a 1000 lb. horse) uniformly produced the largest sand output.

Free choice hay - via slow feeders or loose - supplies a steady supply of fiber moving through the digestive tract carrying sand out with manure prior to settling in the large colon by promoting gut motility and volume. 
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Considering the volume of ingesta, sufficient amounts of hay provide:

• Lower sand to ingesta ratio.
• Volume to carry sand through the digestive tract prior to it having the ability to settle in the lower portions of the intestines.
• Increased gut motility with a constant supply moving through the digestive tract (optimum when proper hydration and movement is present).
• Peristaltic and antiperistaltic contractions, leading to additional mixing of ingesta and sand.

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​Psyllium Effectiveness? 

Prior to the University of Florida’s study,  the standard protocol for sand removal was feeding psyllium (a mucilaginous substance). Psyllium absorbs liquids from the intestines and swells as it moves through the digestive tract.

However, a study conducted at the University of Illinois over an 11 day period found that ponies dosed with psyllium in an attempt to remove sand were no more efficient at sand removal than ponies given a control diet. The study's conclusion: psyllium mucilloid had no apparent effect on sand evacuation from the equine large intestine.
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Given the short period of time (11 days) the results may not 1) represent the effectiveness of psyllium fed over a longer period of time or 2) consider smaller volumes of ingested sand. The University of Florida’s study does, however,  show sufficient hay alone is more effective than psyllium.

​How to Minimize Sand/Dirt Ingestion

Short pastures increase sand to forage ratio.

• Feed all grain or pelleted feeds in a large tub on stall mats.
• If your equine is fed meals, prevent any hay from falling on the ground. If the only source of hay is the last tiny bits (fines), scrounging for them in sand or dirt greatly increases the odds of accumulation.  
• Avoid grazing on short pasture grasses.
• Provide free choice hay. If concerned about caloric intake, see our Free Choice Forage - Detailed Action Plan. 
• If using slow feeders, look for those that best contain the hay from falling on the ground. Always choose a mesh size best suited for your horse's skill and frustration level.
  

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​As Nature Intended

​Horses are designed to graze/forage 16-20 hours a day - ingesting small amounts as they move from place to place. It is possible to mimic the horse's natural lifestyle – to allow free choice forage and slow consumption (if necessary) - while encouraging movement. This scenario compliments their digestive tract - providing optimum conditions for a very complex, vast and sensitive route of ingesta from intake to excretion.
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Hay Pillow slow feeder bag allows ground feeding - while keeping hay out of the sand.

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​Helpful How To Resources

• How I Chose the Best Slow Feeder
• Horse Boredom Busters - Toys & Enrichment Tips for Stall or Pasture
  
• Are You a Prisoner of Feeding? Here's How I Broke Free
• How to Introduce & Incorporate Free-Choice Forage: A Detailed Action Plan​
• Slow Feed Solutions for Any Environment
• Feeding Miniature Horses & Donkeys - Why Slow-Fed Forage is Best
• 6 Great Reasons to Feed Your Horse from Ground Level
• 9 Benefits of Slow Feeding Horses
• 7 Slow Feed Dos and Dont's for Horses
• 7 Easy Ways to Help Prevent Colic
• Preventing Equine Gastric Ulcers - How Forage Buffers Acid
• Equine Gastric Acid - 12 Facts You May Not Know
• Never Exercise Horses on an Empty Stomach...Ever!
• Why You Shouldn't Transport Horses On An Empty Stomach
• Keeping Horses Warm Naturally – Internally and Externally
• Why Most Horses Prefer to Eat Outside​​

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About the Author:
Monique Warren invented the Hay Pillow® slow feeder and is the owner of Hay Pillow Inc.
​Warren has been an equine guardian for over forty years and slow-feed advocate for over 10 years. She contributes equine nutrition and digestive and hoof health articles to publications such as The Naturally Healthy Horse,  Natural Horse Magazine,  Nicker News, Horse Back Magazine, The Horse's Hoof, and  Miniature Horse World Magazine. Equine nutrition and horses feet are her passions. She resides in Southern California.

References:

• Hammock, PD1. Freeman, D.E., Baker, G.J. (1998 Nov-Dec;27(6), Failure of psyllium mucilloid to hasten evaluation of sand from the equine large intestine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9845218
• Church, Stephanie L. (2001, November  2). Psyllium Mucilloid Effective In Removing Intestinal Sand?. Retrieved from https://thehorse.com/15068/psyllium-mucilloid-effective-in-removing-intestinal-sand/
• Crandell, Kathleen. (2012, February 7). Function and Health of the Horse’s Cecum and Large Intestine. Retrieved from https://ker.com/equinews/function-and-health-horses-cecum-and-large-intestine/
• Bowen, Richard. Digestive Function of Horses. Retrieved from http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/herbivores/horses.html
• Equinews Nutrition & Health Daily. Q & A. Retrieved from  https://ker.com/equinews/answer/equine-nutritionist-qa-sand-colic-horses/
• Kivett , Lisa. (2013, November 13). How can I prevent SAND colic in my horse? Retrieved from https://foundationequineclinic.com/blog/2013/sand