Sand Colic Prevention for Horses

Sand moves through the digestive tract with food and is passed in manure, but it can irritate the intestinal lining along the way. This irritation can lead to colic. If sand accumulates, it weighs down the intestine and can impair motility, hindering proper digestion and function. Reduction in motility in turn hinders the passage of sand and leads to more accumulation, and in some cases, the slowdown and accumulation cause a blockage.

Causes

• Some horses eat sand for unknown reasons. In areas with sandy soil, unintentional ingestion is possible when grass is short-grazed or pulled out by the roots. Sand is also consumed when hay is fed on sandy ground. For both of these reasons, these kinds of impactions are more prevalent in certain areas; Florida and California are among the states where sand impactions are more likely to occur. A continuous low-level intake of sand leads to colic and diarrhea, a condition called sand enteropathy.

Symptoms

• As with all types of colic, the most prevalent symptom is abdominal pain. Other symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration, repeated laying down, sweating, pawing at the ground and weight loss.

Diagnosis

• According to Dr. Thomas Gore, DVM, rectal palpation will diagnose a sand impaction if the impacted segment is within reach. When not within reach, the volume of sand in the feces can be estimated by filling a rubber glove with balls of fresh manure, adding water, mixing and observing the amount of sand that settles out in the fingers of the glove. More than 2 tsps. is significant.

Problems

• Sand tends to accumulate in the cecum and large colon. However, if a significant amount is consumed at one time, a sand impaction can develop in the ileum--the entrance of the cecum. The weight of the sand in the large intestine may cause displacement of the colon from its normal position, a torsion (twisting of one section of the intestines around another section) or a volvulus (a twist in the intestines greater than 360 degrees).

Treatment

• It is important to administer large volumes of water during an acute attack of sand colic, either by nasogastric tube or intravenously. Failure to replace fluids lost by diarrhea, dehydration and sweating makes sand impactions drier and more difficult to pass. The laxative of choice is a soluble fiber derived from psyllium seed husk. Psyllium forms a jelly in the intestinal tract that collects the sand and lubricates its passage. Surgical removal is necessary for difficult sand impactions and those unrelieved signs of intestinal obstruction.

Prevention

• Prevent sand impactions by feeding hay in racks or mangers. When horses graze on sandy soil that has caused sand colic and impactions in the past, dry psyllium powder can be added to sweet feeds as a form of prevention. There are also prepared psyllium products, such as Sand Clear. These horses may be fed psyllium daily for five to seven days each month.

• ·         BASIC HOOF CARE

  ·         The hoof is a vital part of the horse and a healthy hoof is essential to the well being and usefulness of the horse. Trimming is necessary to prevent sand cracks and breaking off of the hoof wall, which often results in lameness. Trimming is also required to balance the hooves so a horse moves consistently and at its best. A horse that receives regular hoof care is potentially a safer horse to ride, both to the rider and horse itself. They are less apt to slip, stumble or fall. Moreover, they are less likely to sustain injuries that would either put them out of service or require the services of a veterinarian.

  ·         Horses should receive routine hoof care at intervals of 4 to 8 weeks. Factors determining whether the horse should be shod or just trimmed are: the health of the hooves, the potential or anticipated use of the horse, the defects in gait or conformation and/or the injuries or diseases plaguing the horse. Allowing the feet to accumulate an excessive growth of horn (wall) and/or continued use of the calk shoe (shoes with raised heels) may prevent the frog and elastic structures of the hoof from contacting the ground, thereby, preventing the hooves from performing their proper functions. This can result in a contraction of the whole hoof, which can lead to disease problems in the hoof.

  ·         Regardless of whether the horse is being shod or trimmed, it is important to keep in mind the feet should be trimmed in such a manner as to keep them in a condition as close as possible to that which nature intended. Trimming and selecting shoes should be consistent with the amount and class of work required of the animal, the environmental conditions and the surface upon which the horse will be used. If the horse is to be shod, the shoes selected should be determined by the primary use of the horse. To reduce fatigue and allow the most natural way of going, the horse should be shod with the lightest shoe that will withstand the stress placed upon it. Shoes come in a variety of designs or types that effect the amount of traction or grab the horse will have. The common types of shoes are plates, rim shoes, and shoes with calks either at the toes, heels or both. Many horses used on turf or grass surfaces need more traction than plates can provide. Most horses used on grass or in speed events use some form of rim shoe. The most common types are the polo shoe, barrel racing shoe, race training plates and the basic rim shoe.

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  ·         Here's what's happening to your horse's skeletal structure at different times in its life
  At the age of 1 year:
  the horse's pasterns have fused
  At 18 months:
  his cannon bones are mature
  At 30 months (2.5 yrs):
  he now has stronger - but not entirely mature - knees (the small bones have fused), and his fetlock joints are mature
  At 3 years:
  the weight-bearing area at the base of the knees is fused, as well as his hindleg between hock and stifle
  At 3-and-a-half:
  the highest part of his foreleg, the humerus, is fused, as are parts of his femur, the area of his hindleg between stifle and hip
  At 4 years:
  the shoulder is fused, and the hocks and pelvis are now mature
  At 5-and-a-half:
  the growth plates over the centrum, which allows the spine to flex, become fused

  ·         The amount of hay to feed your horse everyday will vary slightly depending on his or her size and activity level. A working horse, a horse who is excercised for more than 4 hours a day, will require much more hay and feed, up to a whole bale of hay a day, but an average horse should eat at least half a bale of hay a day. This is in addition to grains and free grazing in pastures. It is important to allow your horse to graze all day long to avoid the buildup of stomach acid in his or her stomach, and to avoid the onset of colic. 

  ·         The amount of hay to feed your horse everyday will vary slightly depending on his or her size and activity level. A working horse, a horse who is excercised for more than 4 hours a day, will require much more hay and feed, up to a whole bale of hay a day, but an average horse should eat at least half a bale of hay a day. This is in addition to grains and free grazing in pastures. It is important to allow your horse to graze all day long to avoid the buildup of stomach acid in his or her stomach, and to avoid the onset of colic.

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   Tips For A Healthy Horse

  If you own a horse, you are probably aware of the time and money needed to properly care for this amazing creature. Since horses have a longer life than most animals, keeping them healthy can be somewhat of a challenge. Below are some tips that will help you get started.

  Feeding your horse a well-balanced diet is one of the most important aspects of good horse health. If you are unsure of what this actually is, consult with your veterinarian to find out what types of grains and other feeds may be appropriate for the type of horse you have. Age may also make a difference, so it is also important to keep this in mind .

  Keep your horse's digestive tract healthy by de-worming on a regular basis. Failure to do this can result in your horse having worms that can result in significant harm, or even sometimes in death. Make sure your horse receives vaccinations on a regular schedule. It is very important that you keep a close eye on your horse's feet. Poorly kept feet can lead to a variety of lameness problems, and can be very painful for your horse. Make sure your veterinarian gives your horse a check up once a year. This is just as important for animals as it is for humans, and will alert you to any health problems so that they may be treated early on. It will also insure that your horse receives any necessary procedures and vaccinations on a regular basis, and will lead to overall good equine health.