Gingerwitch
Well-Known Member
What/how do you feed Psyllium for sand colic - do you feed daily ? do you feed at high dose once a month for 5 days, or once every 3 months?
Feeding Psyllium to prevent Sand Colic
- Thread starter Gingerwitch
- Start date
WHWMo
Active Member
They should have instructions on most packets as to how much to feed. It’s normally the relevant amount once or twice daily for about a week and then that’s meant to be done every month.
I only treat every three months because getting the stuff in is such a battle!! She prefers the most expensive pellets- obviously...
I will say that I do the poo in the glove sand test every month though so that I don’t miss out on any early signs. We live in a really sandy area and I have seen a LOT of sand colic in those that aren’t treated so I’m always careful.
I only treat every three months because getting the stuff in is such a battle!! She prefers the most expensive pellets- obviously...
I will say that I do the poo in the glove sand test every month though so that I don’t miss out on any early signs. We live in a really sandy area and I have seen a LOT of sand colic in those that aren’t treated so I’m always careful.
WHWMo
Active Member
Oh also, the vet said that the gold standard way to feed was as a pellet and straight out of your hand with no food/water! As if!
So I try to feed with just dry food and not mixed in with any soaked food. I guess it starts to go into the gel state too soon if it’s already wet when it goes in...
So I try to feed with just dry food and not mixed in with any soaked food. I guess it starts to go into the gel state too soon if it’s already wet when it goes in...
Gingerwitch
Well-Known Member
Thats why i was asking.... many of the products want you to feed a small amount each day, but my local vet said this is a waste of money and you are better off doing the loading dose either monthly or tri monthly - only just going into a Sandy area, I wanted to check out what other folk have found works.
By the way WHWMo - what is the name of the pellets ?
My vet has left me some gloves to do the "sand" test - how much poo do you use to what ratio of water ?
By the way WHWMo - what is the name of the pellets ?
My vet has left me some gloves to do the "sand" test - how much poo do you use to what ratio of water ?
WHWMo
Active Member
So mine is specifically from the vets- they’ve made it themselves and it’s just called “Veterinary Sand Assistâ€. It’s about £45 per tub but that does last me a year as I only use it quarterly and I have a pony which requires less scoops.
I’ve known people buy a 20kg tub for £10 and not have any problems but that tends to come in powder form and I can’t get that in her! I would also imagine the % psyllium is lower but that’s only a guess!
There are no set rules with the sand glove test but I try to get a handful of similar size each time so that there isn’t more sand just because you have more poo and then top it up to the wrist with water, tie a knot, let it hang and then go for a hack of similar length each time. By the time you come back it should be a disgusting lava lamp of poopy water! Sometimes the ends of the fingers are clear, sometimes slightly gritty and then over the summer when there was so little grass I got about a cm of sand in the bottom of each finger! 🙀 She had monthly psyllium then as loads of the horses on the yard were colicing from it.
I’ve known people buy a 20kg tub for £10 and not have any problems but that tends to come in powder form and I can’t get that in her! I would also imagine the % psyllium is lower but that’s only a guess!
There are no set rules with the sand glove test but I try to get a handful of similar size each time so that there isn’t more sand just because you have more poo and then top it up to the wrist with water, tie a knot, let it hang and then go for a hack of similar length each time. By the time you come back it should be a disgusting lava lamp of poopy water! Sometimes the ends of the fingers are clear, sometimes slightly gritty and then over the summer when there was so little grass I got about a cm of sand in the bottom of each finger! 🙀 She had monthly psyllium then as loads of the horses on the yard were colicing from it.
WHWMo
Active Member
Oh btw, ragwort loves sandy soil too so you just need to be vigilant. The plus side is that it drains BEAUTIFULLY and I have no muddy patches in my field, even around the gateway! Hurrah!