Sand Colic & Diarrhea

Colic is not actually a disease but rather the symptom of a problem. Colic, in its purest meaning, is simply abdominal pain. Colic can be caused by a variety of things, including worms, gas, bad food or excess sand in the abdomen. Sand colic and diarrhea can be very serious and can even lead to the death of your horse.

  1. What is Sand Colic?

    • Horses are not always the neatest eaters. They don't mind pulling plants out of sandy soil or tossing hay on the ground to eat it from there. The trouble with these habits is that they also are taking in sand and dirt which does not easily pass through the system. A horse can have as much as 150 lbs. of sand in his intestines and belly.

    The Dangers of Sand Colic

    • One of the most common symptoms of sand colic is diarrhea. If this diarrhea is not treated, your horse can lose weight and even die. Another problem is that the sand can accumulate and cause an impaction, or blockage, in your horse's dietary tract. If untreated, this can cause death.

    What to Watch For

    • Other than diarrhea, if your horse has sand colic, it will begin to lose weight and show other signs of discomfort such as constantly shaking its head or pawing the ground. You should call your veterinarian as soon as possible if your animal is showing these symptoms.

    Diagnosis of Sand Colic

    • The first step in the diagnosis of sand colic is to check the fields and the area where your horse is eating for sand. Next the veterinarian will take a stool sample from your horse and dissolve it in a bucket of water. If there is sand in the stool it will sink to the bottom of the bucket and remain there as the water is poured off. If from these tests it seems that your horse may have sand colic, it may be necessary to take an x-ray of the horse's abdomen. Sand will appear as a bright spot on the x-ray as it is composed of minerals.

    Treatment

    • If you suspect that your horse has sand colic, keep the horse walking and even jogging; this will help break up an impaction in the colon or intestines. In addition to exercise, make sure that the horse is drinking a lot of water and eating bran. This will help move sand through the horse's system. Finally, you should administer psyllium once daily for two months.

    Preventative Measures

    • Better than treating sand colic is preventing it. Provide your horse with a sand-free place in its stall where it can spread its feed and not take in sand when it eats. Horses can be finicky eaters and like to spread their food to get to the best bits first. Of course, if the horse grazes in a sandy field it will inevitably take in sand. You can feed the horse psyllium prophylactically to help prevent sand colic. Psyllium forms a gel in the gastrointestinal tract. With exercise, sand becomes suspended in the gel and eliminated.