Yes, if you fed it in quantities that would make a difference if the horse is also getting 20 plus lbs of hay a day. I just think that a cup of psyllium would tend to get lost and diluted in there.
These products are more effective on humans because we don’t process fibre nearly as efficiently as the horse.
Upon moving to Florida I did a bunch of research on this, and met two people who claimed psyllium supplementation cause extreme colic in their horses, one who had to be euthanized.
Through online research and discussing with local vets, I decided that free-choice hay seems to be the best for clearing sand, and preventative measures such as not feeding directly on sand when possible.
The recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon 1-3 times a day. Directions said start with 1 and slowly work up to 3 if necessary. I was taking 1 tablespoon a day, and a few times I moved it up to 1.5 tablespoons and split it into an a.m. and a p.m. dose. The sample that the lab couldn’t use was hard and VERY sticky. (Sorry TMI). Keeping this horse related, I can completely understand why some horses would have a big impaction problem with psyllium, while I can also understand how if used on a very limited basis it would act like glue and would collect and get rid of sand.
The vet, I mean doctor, makes me go hmmmmm and question his abilities. He decided that I have IBS, the type with both diarrhea and constipation. He dismissed that I’ve had clay colored stool and tried to tell me that it had nothing to do with a bile problem. So, I’ve had abdominal pain for over 5 weeks 24/7 straight, and this is just IBS? The pain constant and ranges from a 6 to 8+. A few times it’s been about a 4, but it is always there. It’s a burning, stabbing, gnawing pain. From what I’ve read about IBS, the associated pain is supposed to be relieved once you have a BM and is not something that you have 24/7, as I have. No particular food is a trigger, empty stomach vs full is not a trigger. Only three days a go did I discover the only thing that gives me a little, but not complete relief, and that is ibuprofen. The doctor disputed that digestive enzymes help me because he said that I don’t have a pancreas problem.
About the psyllium, he said psyllium is advertised as a “fiber laxative”, which he said is not possible. He said not to use it because it draws too much water and makes stool too gelatinous. He recommended that I start taking Benefiber, which is gluten free wheat dextrin. I started it yesterday. I am not sure if it worked that quickly but there was one result today, early this morning. My instructions are to take the Benefiber until I see him in 5 weeks. That’s it. No ultrasound or CT scan.
Oh, and I decided that maybe this is an ulcer, so I took some Nexium from my horse supplies, and started taking it last night. If I do not feel better by Monday, I need to seek additional medical care and some diagnostics.
What really got me about him was his comment about the guy who has cancer from RoundUp. I was exposed to a different glyphosate weed spray fumes this spring, and I’ve had continuous health problems on top of the ones that I already have. I mentioned this to him because of course I wonder if those toxins in my body have anything to do with what’s going on in my stomach. He completely dismissed it and then said,
“Oh yeah. Then there’s that guy who soaked himself in RoundUp and now claims to have cancer.” :eek:
With all of that level of ignorance and attitude, I do not want to go back to him in 5 weeks.
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