How to Test for Sand Colic

According to veterinarian Jay Altman, colic is the most common medical condition among horses. The Equine Originals horse health development center advises that colic is the number one killer of horses, and that sand colic is on the rise in many areas of the world. Sand colic occurs when horses ingest sand while grazing or eating hay from the ground; sand can build up in the colon, resulting in blockages or potential intestinal ruptures. Horse owners can test a horse's stool to determine if they are at risk for sand colic.

Things You'll Need

  • Stool sample
  • Jar
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Collect a stool sample from your horse; try to collect it before it has sat on the ground and gathered dirt or sand. Six pieces of feces should suffice for this test.

    • 2

      Place the feces in a clear glass jar.

    • 3

      Fill the jar half full with water and close the jar. Shake vigorously to mix the feces and water together thoroughly.

    • 4

      Place the jar on a stable surface and allow the mixture to settle for 15 minutes.

    • 5

      Inspect the bottom of the jar. If you see a large amount of sand, you know that your horse is successfully passing sand through his digestive system and is not suffering from sand colic. If you see little to no sand, the horse is either not ingesting sand or is not properly passing sand, which can be a sign of sand colic.

    • 6

      Repeat this test each day for at least a week to determine whether your horse may be at risk for sand colic.