To help move sand through, how much do you feed and how often? Can you feed Metamucill? Are there different types of psyllium? Thanks.
ya know I used to feed sand clear per the instructions on the container. Then I read (perhaps it was here on this very BB) about a study done on psyllium and sand colic. The results were that psyllium did nothing. What did help move the sand through the system was Hay, lots of it. So I stopped using the psyllium.
But you should do your own research and do whatever you feel is best.
I read the same study. They found that large quantities of hay moved sand throught the system just as well as psyllium. It makes pretty good sense, when you think about it.
Since both my guys get tons of hay, I stopped with the psyllium regimen. They HATED it anyway.
My guy was having lots of tummy troubles. Vet recommended Metamucil. Next morning their were at least two cups worth of white sand inside his poop. Tummy troubles disappeared, so I personally would not count psyllium out of my regime. I do also believe that tons of hay is great for clearing sand. Anyhow, my vet said to give 1/2 cup of the unflavored Metamucil (or generic brand) per day for the first seven days of every month.
2 Likes
From the Vet, my experiance with sand colic
1 cup (250g) psyllium Husk in the feed once a day for 7 days in every month. However it is important that you don’t feed any more then 1 week in every month otherwise the gut learns to absorb the husk and is usless.
These are the instructions the head vet at uni came me after my horse got sand colic…
they also drench with it when treating sand colic so it can’t be usless when used correctly?
1 Like
If you buy the generic brand at discount stores… watch the label. Some are pysillium and some are cellulose.
Up until recently, I didn’t have much sand so I did it a couple of times a year. Now,however, I do have more sand, so I may be doing it more often.
I fully dissolve the psyllium in warm water and a dose of Ration Plus (liquid prebiotic) and my QH slurps it up. THe others are not as crazy about it as he is, but they do eat it.
[QUOTE=NRB;3533256]
ya know I used to feed sand clear per the instructions on the container. Then I read (perhaps it was here on this very BB) about a study done on psyllium and sand colic. The results were that psyllium did nothing. What did help move the sand through the system was Hay, lots of it. So I stopped using the psyllium.
But you should do your own research and do whatever you feel is best.[/QUOTE]
I too used to feed sugar free Equate (generic metamucil) 2xs a week 1 cup each serving until UF came out with the study proving exacty what you just stated. I have always fed free choice hay and do fecal checks for sand. Haven’t done the Equate/Metamucil regime since the study was published and have not found sand since the stopping of the regime.
How many poop balls do you use when you check for sand? And how much sand do you consider an acceptable amount?
I believe you only use two or three manure balls. If you find more than a tablespoon in the bottom of the bucket you should use a psyllium product. However, my vet told me she personally did the sand test on a horse having tummy troubles. They found nothing. She also heard nothing when she listened for sand with her stethoscope. The horse had a sand colic a few weeks later and they removed two pounds of sand on the surgery table. Apparently there was so much sand it was blocking any sand from getting into the manure. So it isn’t foolproof.
Okay - I know having a horse with a sand colic or any colic is not funny, but I just had a mental image of my horses all rolling from side-to-side in their favorite sand pit and I’m wondering if that mixes the sand with their hay and they get rid of it that way? oh groan…
Perhaps those horses that never get a chance to roll everyday have a higher incidence?
[QUOTE=dwblover;3534982]
I believe you only use two or three manure balls. If you find more than a tablespoon in the bottom of the bucket you should use a psyllium product. However, my vet told me she personally did the sand test on a horse having tummy troubles. They found nothing. She also heard nothing when she listened for sand with her stethoscope. The horse had a sand colic a few weeks later and they removed two pounds of sand on the surgery table. Apparently there was so much sand it was blocking any sand from getting into the manure. So it isn’t foolproof.[/QUOTE]
i did the fecal test Saturday… one fecal ball in a med. size pickle jar with water… let it set for two days… holly cow… there had to have been close to a 1/4 inch of sand in the bottom… ONE BALL…
putting them all on Sand clear this week… !~
p~
[QUOTE=Pippin;3535333]
i did the fecal test Saturday… one fecal ball in a med. size pickle jar with water… let it set for two days… holly cow… there had to have been close to a 1/4 inch of sand in the bottom… ONE BALL…
putting them all on Sand clear this week… !~
p~[/QUOTE]
I’m picturing my husband’s reaction finding THAT in a pickle jar on the counter! :lol:
Does the psyllium need to be fed wet? I know for humans it has to be taken with sufficient water to avoid it swelling in the esophogus. Does it lose effectiveness if fed wet?
Mine all get a mash and since it’s cheap enough I thought I might give it a whirl, but was just curious about this.
What is the best source for buying psyllium husk in bulk? I have 8 horses. I’ve bought at Wal-Mart, but I’d so love to get a 50lb sack of it. Any ideas?
Also, I do psyllium for 7 days each month. Is it acceptable to drop by to 5 days/month OR just give psyllium every other month?
What I learned at the surgeon’s: “Sand equals dirt and dirt equals sand.” They said just because I’m on dirt doesn’t mean my horses can’t have sand colic. Boy, did I feel like a bad mama.
Bump: also looking for best places/prices for psyllium in bulk! 
[QUOTE=ponygirl;3534143]
I too used to feed sugar free Equate (generic metamucil) 2xs a week 1 cup each serving until UF came out with the study proving exacty what you just stated. I have always fed free choice hay and do fecal checks for sand. Haven’t done the Equate/Metamucil regime since the study was published and have not found sand since the stopping of the regime.[/QUOTE]
I do this at apx 1/2 cup each Sunday, I split one beer between the 2 horses to encourage them to eat it. Have been in Camden for 10 years, so far no sand colic.
Also both do receive hay at night in their stalls and as necessary in their paddocks.
Buy the Equate in the large containers at Wal-mart or Sams
I would forego the Metamucil and just stick with regular psyllium husk. Metamucil is basically psyllium husk with added flavors and sweeteners. The psyllium husk alone with definitely do the job, and much cheaper as well. I think it works great, and can’t see why it wouldn’t work for some horses…it works well for people. I would use that long with hay, but only use the psyllium periodically.
I feed 1/2 cup of generic Metamucil (Walmart’s Equate) per day for 5 days at the beginning of each month. Our pasture is very sandy and (knock on wood) I’ve never had a sand colic.
Best of luck.
I have always been taught that if you find ANY sand, you should treat.
Imagine how much sand your horse is wandering around with if you find a whole tablespoon in 2-3 manure balls. YIKES!! :eek::eek::eek:
Thats just the stuff that found it’s way OUT.
Personally, I use Equate Sugar Free, 1/4 cup per day-works for mine.
