Re: RE: Psyllium

["Susan Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

Guess I'll reply to the psyllium discussion in one fell swoop here.  There's
still some disagreement about how effective psyllium is, the best research
I've seen to date is that it's most helpful in horses that already have
abnormal hindgut motility, ie horses with anterior colitis, post-surgical,
etc.  Pretty much everyone agrees that itty-bitty amounts don't do much in
prevention, but a reasonable amount (a few cups) does move *some* sand.
However, psyllium "cures" aren't anywhere near as effective as good
prevention---feeding off the ground, feeding enough forage so that the horse
isn't hunting for the last scraps, feeding good quality hay that doesn't
happen to include a lot of dirt in it incorporated during cutting and
baling, and regular exercise.  Nothing moves the gut better than a good trot
down the trail, I don't care what the bucket says.

If you absolutely *must* feed something to help move the sand out of the
hindgut, feed beet pulp.  It has the same soluble fiber that psyllium does,
a lot cheaper, better nutrition while you're at it and you can feed a whole
bunch of it.

Susan G
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa M Pardus" <bludoglady@juno.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2001 12:31 PM
Subject: RC: RE: Psyllium


> I had responded privately to this e-mail, but I will post to the list
> now as well.
>  My horses are in a sand corral. That is all I have for right now. My
> vet, (a neighbor said this same vet saved his horses life. When the
> neighbor took his horse to the vet hospital in Gainesville for follow ups
> when they could move him, the hospital said they could not have done
> better. They were greatly impressed with him, so I am too!) said that
> horses on a sand lot are not as prone to sand colic as those on a sparse
> pasture.
>  I asked him about Psyllium. He uses out of date Metamusyll(?) that he
> buys at the local flea market. He suggested giving 1/2 c for three days
> to clear them out, the 1/2 per week to keep the sand down. That too is a
> preventative. PLEASE check with YOUR VET FIRST! before trying this. I was
> told this was acceptable from my feed store, but I ALWAYS check with my
> vet before trying anything new with my beloved ones.
>  Hope this helps!
>
> In His Hands,
> Lisa P.
> www.outbackacres.com
> The Aussies:Possum, Boomer, Dusty, and Barley
> Chat room ICQ #111639534
>
>
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