Sand for turnout??

[Dancingaye]

So I'm looking at farms to buy, there's not too many to pick from in my price range. The one place I went to look at the other day had a sand riding ring for the horses' turnout. It was large enough, but the sand part kind of freaks me out. Anyone else done this?? I'm concerned about sand colic, I have an older tb cross who tends to be colic'y without the sand added into it. Opinions? I guess I could have it removed somehow...

 

[gelderlander]

I used to work at a racing yard where the turnout was just a sand arena. The only times I have known a problem was when clumps of grass were allowed to grow up thru the sand; the horses pulled them up and ate them and developed mild colicy symptoms, which fortunately the vet was able to dispel. If u don't allow your horses to feed from the floor and ingest sand, all should be well.

 

[Dancingaye]

Yea I would probably end up getting a hay feeder that would keep it well off the ground if I kept the sand. Thanks!

 

[TwoStroke]

You could always haul out the sand and replace it with nice pea gravel .

 

[Dancingaye]

lol if I hauled out the sand, i'd rather it just be grass again! Otherwise I'm gonna spend alot more in feeding hay, my guys pretty much live out.