sand out?

[Ella19]

Also in NL

Please talk to me about sandout. Is it really necessary or another modern gimmick/supplement?

I've just moved my mare back to a yard with sandy pasture. Grass cover is average. When I was there before no one had heard of it, let alone fed sand out. However, now I have returned (year and a half gap) they are all on various sand out products. I believe this started after 1 horse in 56 got sand colic.

Everyone has been asking which product I will be using for my mare. So, sand out, yes or no and which one if yes?

 

[rhino]

Is it necessary? Well yes, sand colic is real and can be fatal.. Do all horses need treatment? IMO no!

Have you tried doing a sand (Mason) test on your horse's poo to see if there is sand being passed? Basically put a few balls of your horse's poo in a glass jar full of water. Shake and stir with a stick until the poo disintegrates. Any sand will be left as a residue at the bottom of the jar.

Psyllium can be useful for those horses on sandy pasture who ingest a lot of sand, but I have only had to use it once on pair of donkeys on a particularly sandy small paddock. It's not something I use as a general rule

 

[Ella19]

Thank you rhino. Will try the sand test and see how we get on.