Turning out on sand surface

[spider]

Our yard has a new round pen / lunging circle with a sand surface. They have been turning out ponies on it this week. My boy has been rolling and comes in looking like he's been at the seaside! It's really difficult to get out of his coat properly, though it does bring his hooves up nice and clean. Will the sand do his skin any harm - I'm worried about it getting under the saddle and rubbing? Is there anything else I ought to watch out for. I know it causes colic if eaten.

 

[loobylu]

Oooh lucky you!
I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you get most of it off if you are rugging him up. Flick brushes (long bristled dandys) are great for this.

 

[spider]

Yes we are lucky. It's going to be really useful.

 

[Tia]

Yes I was just about to say, watch out for sand colic. Not nice.

Rolling about in it won't do any harm to him, other than the risk of colic.

 

[flyingfeet]

Some of ours are kept at liberty in a large barn with outside coral. We use silica sand as the surface, so there is never any standing water.

They roll and love it, I have had no skin problems other than the odd bit of mud fever, but never consistently or on the same horses!

One thing to watch out for is that the sand blunts clipper blades very easily. So you may find if you clip yours regularly you will need you blades resharpening more often.

 

[MagicMelon]

If your really worried - couldn't you chuck some thin old rug on him when you turn him out in it? or is the whole point to have a good roll naked?

In the wild, horses seek out sandy patches to roll in. Although I guess, they're not ridden or anything so nothing will rub them.......

 

[spider]

Thanks that's reassuring.

 

[spider]

I guess you're right about wild horses. Just being an over anxious mum as haven't had anything to do with sand surfaces. If it's not going to do any harm he can stay naked. I don't mind brushing him!