Sand colic prevention supplements

[Gingerwitch]

I usually buy American equine sand out and treat fir 7 days every month. With 5 horses its a bit expensive, but have been recommended to just use the psyllium husks that they also sell.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Fruitcake]

I've just done a faecal sand count and mine have a small count so have been looking at supplements. From reading about using psyllium husks "raw", it seems that it can difficult to get some horses to eat it as they turn to gel as soon as they become damp in the feed, whereas the pelleted supplements don't. There was even a whole diagram of how you have to sandwich the husks between layers o chaff and sugar beet! One of mine, in particular, is a bit fussy so I'm going with the pelleted version. I've never used either before though so am just going off what I've read.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I usually use psyllium husk powder for 7 days but I dont have sandy soil anymore, happy to send you it to try x

 

[Shooting Star]

I just use psyllium husks, we’re on sandy soil & need to clear them out some times and the husks work well

 

[AntiPuck]

I recently did a course of Feedmark Psyllium Husks due to the hot weather and very short grass. They suggest a 5-day course, every 2 months, on the tub. It was a lot of powder for my horse's size, but I mixed into half a scoop of wet chaff right before feeding it and didn't have any issues with the horse eating it.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I give mine a 5 day course of Psyllium Husks every few months. I mix it into a dryish crumbly mix of pre soaked hay or grass pellets and feed it immediately. It doesn't gloop up in that time. It does gloop up quickly though if left to stand.

All three eat it fine.

 

[cauda equina]

Mine eat it in soaked grass nuts without problems too

 

[Fruitcake]

Maybe I'm expecting the worst then! ? I just has visions of said fussy horse spitting it everywhere.
Looking at the pelleted versions, they seem to have very different feeding amounts. Has anyone used the NAF version?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I couldn’t get mine to eat the husks so I’ve just had them on a course of NAF Sand Out pellets which they ate without any problem.

 

[SEL]

I'm not on sand but until Thursday's rain my field might as well have been. I did a 7 day course of Feedmark psyllium. Baby cob was a big grumpy at glue for breakfast but with a few extra pony nuts ate it fine. I also have had them on a decent amount of hay which should help

 

[Barton Bounty]

I couldn’t get mine to eat the husks so I’ve just had them on a course of NAF Sand Out pellets which they ate without any problem.

I bought the powder and he didnt know the difference ?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I bought the powder and he didnt know the difference ?

I didn’t realise they did powder as well, does it go gloopy? It was the gloop they turned their noses up at. Fussy lot ?

 

[Surbie]

I don't buy the horse brands of psyllium husk, I get mine from online whole food shops as it works out cheaper. Mine eats it without fuss - I just make his feed a bit drier than usual and sprinkle on top.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I didn’t realise they did powder as well, does it go gloopy? It was the gloop they turned their noses up at. Fussy lot ?

Yeah its powder and you can either put it in the feed and mix it in or mix it with water then put it in the feed. I get it from ebay its food grade stuff.
If anyone wants to try it, I dont need mine?

 

[rextherobber]

I don't buy the horse brands of psyllium husk, I get mine from online whole food shops as it works out cheaper. Mine eats it without fuss - I just make his feed a bit drier than usual and sprinkle on top.

I do this , I sprinkle the psyllium on top, just before I give them the feed, with a little micronised linseed as a garnish.

 

[SheriffTruman]

Mine refuses to eat the husks, pellets, or powder. No matter how I mix it. I now bought His Fussyness a psyllium mash from a (Dutch) brand of food which he generally likes. So fingers crossed he eats it, had to buy it in a 14kgs bag.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Mine get hay both ends of day to help 'sweep' out the system.
Especially if they're grazing tiny shots of grass close to the ground.
Never used psyllium husks though, interested to know how do they work? does anyone know?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Feedmark's blurb re psyllium husks is below. Btw, Feedmark have one of their buy one get one free offers on - use the code BURGHLEY.

"Psyllium Husks have been used traditionally in humans, and are a recognised management option for horses with sand burdens. As a soluble fibre source Psyllium Husks form a gel-like substance when exposed to water. The water absorbing properties of Psyllium means it acts as a hydroscopic sponge, allowing it to pick up and aid the removal of unwanted foreign material (such as sand and indigestible roughage) from the folds and bends of the digestive tract."

It shouldn't be fed gloopy, it needs to go gloopy once ingested.

 

[daydreamer]

I just wondered if there is actually any evidence that it works? I'm thinking fo getting some as we are on sandy soil that currently looks like the desert.