The Inside Scoop…
Sand Colic refers to pain in the abdomen or pain in the belly caused by compaction due to sand ingestion. Prevention: Always provide clean water, keep your horse’s diet consisten and feed at leat 60% of his diet (by weight) as roughage (hay or pasture). High-grain diets increase colic risk by three to four times. Maintain a regular feeding schedule, feed good quality hay, use feeding systems that minimize eating directly off the ground. Feed psyllium products for five to seven consecutive days each month to remove dirt and sand through the bowel if sand colic is a problem in your area. Psyllium is a natural soluble fiber derived from the husks of a seed grain. It absorbs liquid in the intestines and swells to rid the animal of compactions caused by ingested sand and foreign matter.