08/25/2026
Sand Colic in Central Florida: What Horse Owners Need to Know
Central Florida’s beautiful sandy soil is great for trails… not so great for horse guts. Our horses graze low, nibble dropped feed, and snuffle around in sandy paddocks — all of which can lead to sand accumulation in the digestive tract. Over time, that buildup can cause large colon irritation, diarrhea, weight loss, or even full‑blown sand colic.
🌾 Horses pick it up when:
• Eating hay or grain off the ground
• Grazing short or overgrazed pastures
• Sniffing or licking sandy surfaces
• Drinking from low or sandy water troughs
Even small amounts add up over weeks!
🛡️ Management Techniques to Reduce Sand Intake
• Feed off the ground — Use mats, tubs, or raised feeders to keep hay and grain out of the sand.
• Offer free‑choice hay or slow feeder options — More forage time means less “filter feeding” of sandy pasture.
• Use psyllium strategically — Monthly or targeted psyllium can help move sand through the gut.
• Improve pasture cover — Taller grass = less sand ingestion.
• Check water sources — Keep troughs on mats or concrete pads to prevent sandy bottoms.
🔍 How it is Diagnosed
• Sand can sometimes be heard in a horse’s abdomen during a physical exam
• A sand test using a Ziplock Bag or Glove. However, a negative test doesn’t always mean there is no sand!
• in severe cases, an X-ray of the abdomen can show the sand accumulated in the large intestine
⚠️ When to Be Concerned
Watch for:
• Loose, sandy diarrhea
• Chronic mild colic
• Weight loss despite good feed
• Reduced appetite
• Lethargy or belly discomfort
If you’re seeing these signs, our Veterinarians at Central Florida Equine can help determine whether sand is part of the problem!
