When horses graze on pastures with very short or little grass, they may end up digesting a lot of soil and sand. As long as this sand passes through the gut, it will pose no problem.

However, too much sand may accumulate, especially in the lower sections and bends of the intestines. This layer of sand reduces absorption capacity in the intestine as well as the absorption of nutrients and fluids.

It also effects the intestinal mucous wall, leading to emaciation, debilitation, and decreased appetite. In large quantities, sand can lead to serious disturbances in the digestive system. The presence of sand in your horse’s gut can be difficult to determine, but you can see if your horse is eating a lot of sand by doing a faecal sand test. Put a few faecal balls in a plastic bag, squeeze them flat, and add some water. After an hour, any sand present will have settled to the bottom of the bag, where you will be able to see it clearly.