Mare just ate a large amount of sand!

[Crazycob06]

My mare decided to roll in the school after our lesson today (she was following me around to cool off while I cleared the poles away) she managed to scoop a large amount of sand into her mouth while doing so! Do I need to worry about this? She is also stabled at night, I don't know if that changes anything due to lack of movement??? Any advice would be much appreciated! She is my first horse and I don't want to miss anything that could cause her any problems!

 

[Spring Feather]

One mouthful probably won't cause problems and it should pass out of her within a few days. Exercise is the best way to keep the gut moving the sand out although you have to weigh up the pros and cons of changing her routine if you decide to leave her out tonight.

 

[Crazycob06]

I can't leave her out, she is a livery and they all have to come in at night. Thank you, I will check her at 4, the YO will check late tonight and I will go back first thing but hopefully she'll be fine then. I plan on riding every day this week so that should help.

 

[Spring Feather]

I don't remember exactly how much sand there needs to be in order to cause major colic problems but it's a lot more than just a mouthful and it usually accumulates over a long period eventually causing the blockage. I think she'll be fine tbh and so long as everyone knows to keep an eye on her for the next couple of days I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Wagtail]

I really don't think you need to worry. I'm sure she will be fine.

 

[fburton]

Not sure how relevant the following is in OP's situation - acute rather than chronic sand ingestion - but it might be useful reading all the same.

http://www.equine-originals.com/sandcolic.htm

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Im sure she will be fine but if you concerned I would ring the vet for advice even just to put your mind at rest.

 

[Crazycob06]

Thanks everyone! I am just a big worrier! Will keep a close eye on her regardless.

 

[Enfys]

I have just seen this, it may be useful if your mare is making a habit of eating sand, or is on sandy soil:

http://www.lesliesutcliffe.com/Supplements/Digestion_Supplements/SandClear?language=en&currency=GBP

 

[Luci07]

You can check how much sand is passing through by taking droppings and swirling them in water, tip the water away and see if any sand is left. If your mare makes a habit of this, then something like Sandout will help get rid but she could be lacking minerals or forage if she is eating sand. If it was literally just some that happened to get in her mouth while rolling I would not worry!

 

[Patterdale]

Sand colic is a very real risk and I'd keep an extremely close eye on it.

 

[Crazycob06]

She definitely just got a load of it in her mouth when rolling! She doesn't intentionally eat sand. I have informed the YO and have been making extra visits to check on her just in case. She was even stupider today... I took her for a walk out in hand this afternoon and she can't walk passed anything edible apparently! She was stealing all manner of things including dead, dried up ragwort!!! I managed to grab nearly all of it off her but after yesterday I was not impressed! Lol!