Companion Animals

Sand Colic in Horses: Deep Welfare and Prevention Guide

Comprehensive welfare guide to sand colic -- a preventable cause of severe abdominal pain in horses.

Key Facts

Sand colic results from accumulation of ingested sand in the large colon -- causing irritation, impaction, and displacement
It is most common in horses kept on sandy pastures or fed on sandy ground
Clinical signs range from mild intermittent colic to severe unrelenting abdominal pain requiring emergency surgery
The diagnosis can be confirmed by soaking faeces in water and observing settled sand, or by radiography
Medical treatment with psyllium husk helps mobilise sand -- but prevention is far more effective
Providing feed in containers elevated above the ground prevents sand ingestion at feeding
Periodic psyllium supplementation clears accumulated sand in at-risk horses
Regular monitoring of faecal sand levels guides supplementation and management decisions

Welfare Significance

Sand colic causes severe abdominal pain that is entirely preventable with appropriate management. Horses on sandy grazing who ingest sand with every mouthful gradually accumulate potentially life-threatening quantities in their colon. Simple management changes -- raised feeders, psyllium supplementation, and regular monitoring -- prevent this welfare emergency before it occurs.

What You Can Do

Feed horses in elevated containers or rubber mats rather than directly off sandy ground
Supplement with psyllium husk monthly for at-risk horses on sandy pasture
Check faecal sand levels periodically using the water settling test -- persistent sand indicates management change is needed
Seek emergency veterinary assessment for any horse with colic signs on sandy pasture -- do not delay