As the warmer months approach, horses spending more time on sandy surfaces—whether in arenas, paddocks, or during competitions—are at increased risk of sand ingestion. While it may seem harmless, even small amounts of sand accumulating in the gut can lead to serious digestive issues, including colic, which is a leading cause of discomfort and lost training or competition days.
How Horses Ingest Sand
Horses naturally pick up sand in several ways:
- Grazing or nibbling at ground level: Horses eating directly from sandy pastures or arenas can accidentally consume soil and sand.
- Rolling: Rolling in sandy areas can cause horses to inhale or swallow sand.
- Feeding methods: Feeding directly on sandy ground increases ingestion.
Over time, repeated sand intake can accumulate in the hindgut, leading to digestive disturbances.
Why Sand Ingestion Is a Concern
Accumulated sand can cause:
- Digestive irritation: Sand rubs against the intestinal lining, which may lead to inflammation and loose stools.
- Colic: Impaction colic can occur when sand collects in the colon. Symptoms include pawing, rolling, lack of appetite, and changes in manure consistency.
- Performance impacts: Even mild discomfort can affect appetite, focus, and energy, which matters for competition horses.
Seasonal Risks
- Summer & Competition Season: Increased turnout, warmer weather, and sand-based arenas all raise the chance of ingestion.
- High-Activity Periods: Heavy exercise can move ingested sand through the gut, increasing irritation and colic risk.
- Dry Conditions: Horses eating dusty hay or low-moisture forage may ingest more sand when licking feed from the ground.
Signs to Watch For
Early detection is key:
- Changes in manure (diarrhea, sand-like residue)
- Pawing, rolling, or signs of discomfort
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy or reluctance to work
If you suspect sand accumulation, contact your veterinarian promptly, as colic can become serious very quickly.
Management Tips
- Feed off the ground using mats or raised feeders.
- Provide clean, sand-free paddocks or turnout areas.
- Offer plenty of fresh water to support digestion.
- Monitor manure for sand or changes in consistency.
- Consider regular gut support products if horses are consistently exposed to sandy environments.
Takeaway
Sand ingestion is a subtle but serious risk, especially during competition and high-activity seasons. Awareness, preventive management, and early detection can help reduce colic risk and keep horses healthy and performing at their best.
For horses regularly exposed to sandy arenas or paddocks, professional equine digestive support solutions—like EAC’s in-sandout—can be a useful part of a seasonal management plan to support gut health safely.
