Executive Summary
In Australia, sand accumulation is often underestimated because it rarely presents as a sudden, dramatic colic event.
Instead, most horses experience chronic, low-level sand ingestion, particularly in dry, overgrazed, or sandy environments. Over time this leads to:
- Reduced feed efficiency
- Ongoing gut irritation
- Subclinical performance decline
Bottom line:
This is not just a veterinary concern, it’s a performance and management issue affecting horses across all disciplines in Australia.
The Australian Context: Why It’s Common Here
Australia presents one of the highest natural sand exposure risks due to climate, soil type, and land management practices.
Key Risk Factors
- Dry, sparse or overgrazed paddocks
- Sandy soils (common in QLD, WA, SA coastal regions, and parts of NSW/VIC)
- Feeding hay on bare ground during drought or winter feed shortages
- High-traffic feeding areas (round yards, gates, trough zones)
- Paddocks with limited ground cover during seasonal dry periods
- Dusty, loose soil conditions following extended dry spells
What this means in practice:
- Sand exposure is often invisible and gradual
- Acute colic cases are less common than chronic build-up
- The biggest impact is usually ongoing performance loss rather than sudden illness
What Happens in the Horse
Sand settles in the large colon, where it interferes with:
- Gut motility
- Fluid balance
- Microbial activity
Over time, this creates a cycle of reduced digestive efficiency and discomfort.
Result:
- Poor utilisation of feed
- Mild but persistent gut irritation
- Reduced topline, energy, and performance output
Most affected horses fall into a subclinical zone—not outwardly sick, but not performing at their best.
Subclinical Signs to Watch For
These are often subtle and easily missed or attributed to other issues:
- Inconsistent or loose manure
- Poor condition despite adequate feeding
- Reduced energy, willingness, or attitude under saddle
- Mild behavioural changes often mistaken for ulcers or training issues
- Intermittent “off days” in work or competition
Because these signs are non-specific, sand accumulation is frequently underdiagnosed.
Diagnosis: The Reality in Australia
While imaging (such as radiographs) is the most reliable diagnostic method, it is not always practical or accessible in field conditions.
Faecal sand testing (bucket or glove tests) can also be misleading:
- Horses with significant sand may show little in faeces
- Horses passing sand may not have clinically relevant accumulation
Key implication:
Management should be based on risk profile and performance indicators, not test results alone.
Management: What Actually Works
1. Reduce Intake Risk
Prevention is the first line of defence:
- Feed off the ground (use feeders, bins, or mats)
- Minimise feeding on bare or sandy soil
- Rotate or rest overgrazed paddocks where possible
- Manage high-traffic feeding zones
2. Structured Sand Clearance
Effective clearance relies on supporting gut movement and binding sand particles:
- Psyllium (bulk fibre): helps bind sand and support passage
- Magnesium-based support: assists gut motility and movement through the hindgut
Proven Approach: in-sandout
Designed specifically for consistent intake and practical management in Australian conditions.
Clinical Study Insight (WA Field Trial)
A controlled field trial conducted by a Western Australian veterinary hospital evaluated sand clearance in practical conditions.
Study Overview:
- 9 horses with confirmed sand accumulation
- 5-day feeding protocol
- Pre- and post-assessment via radiography and faecal evaluation
Key Findings:
- Reduction in sand levels observed in horses that consumed the product
- Moderate to severe cases showed improvement— sand was either cleared completely or reduced to trace levels.
- Faecal testing was inconsistent with radiograph
What this means:
Structured, targeted clearance protocols can assist in reducing sand accumulation in real-world conditions.
Recommended Protocol (Australia)
Clearance Phase:
- 0.6 – 1.2 g per kg body weight daily
- 500 kg horse = 300–600 g per day
- 5–7 day program
Risk-Based Australian Strategy
- High Risk (sandy paddocks / drought conditions / performance horses): monthly clearance
- Moderate Risk: every 2–3 months
- Low Risk (well-managed, grass-covered systems): every 6–12 months
Testing: Use It as a Guide, Not a Diagnosis
Faecal sand tests (bucket or glove) are supportive tools only.
Important considerations:
- Results vary depending on gut movement at the time of testing
- Sand may appear during clearance even in improving horses
- Lack of visible sand does not guarantee absence of accumulation
Key point:
Visible sand ≠ total load
No visible sand ≠ no risk
Commercial Reality
Cost of doing nothing:
- Inefficient feed conversion
- Reduced performance output
- Increased long-term gut risk
- Hidden loss in athletic potential
Cost of management:
- Relatively low
- High return on investment across racing, sport horses, and breeding operations
