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Psyllium and Sand Colic Prevention

7. Keep worming. Parasites, as a cause of colic and other problems, have been brought under much greater control in just the last few decades. Consult your vet about your worming program, and be sure regular fecal examinations are administered. In the event of colic, these precautions should give you a fair degree of assurance that parasites are not the cause.

8. Feed a high quality diet. As mentioned previously, Feed Management is a major key to preventing colic. A high percentage of roughage to grain should be maintained. Ideally, roughage should be made available 24 hours a day. Overfeeding with grain produces excess gas, which can be especially troublesome in horses that already tend to be colicky. Concentrate should be given in limited quantities, starting from birth. Providing a combination of oat hay and alfalfa hay will allow the horse to nibble all day, switching from one to the other. Horses fed in lush pastures do better, but even a well-managed farm can have problems if it is fairly crowded. Sudden and complete changes of diet are, of course, to be avoided.

9. Know your farm – and your horses. Some farms have a high number of colic cases, while others have virtually none. All owners, but especially absentee owners, need to look carefully and thoroughly at the conditions and management of their farm. Get first-hand information to be sure that feeding schedules are regular, exercise routines are being followed, fresh water is always available, highest quality feed is used – in short, all that you think is happening is indeed happening. When it is finally necessary to call in the vet, a thorough knowledge of your farm and the affected horse is going to be most helpful in getting a quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

10. Trot briskly for 10 – 15 minutes. When it appears your horse is suffering fro colic, this is something you can do before calling the vet, or while waiting for his/her arrival, that won’t take long. The mild physical jolting from trotting is often all that’s needed to relieve an impaction. The effect is similar to a trailer ride to the vet from which the patient arrives already cured. Traditional all-night walks are far less effective (and more exhausting for you).

11. Call your vet early. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Having a horse examined in a timely manner by a professional, or transported if necessary, often means the difference between life and death. When the vet arrives, a review of conditions on the farm, the horse’s history, and all causes for the attack may be necessary; so be prepared with the information. Obviously, the earlier in the crisis you get help; the less your decision for treatment will be based on emotion and panic. A survival rate as high as 95% for even serious cases is attributed in part to early referral.

12. Give Equisyl Advantage Regularly. This all-natural fiber made from Psyllium Hydrophillic Mucilloid is most effective when included as a regular part of your colic prevention program. Especially beneficial against impaction, this highly soluble fiber forms a lubricating gel by drawing water from your horse’s system and using it to gently flush out sand and dust. Because Equisyl Advantage uses a pharmaceutical grade psyllium you can be confident that you are giving your horse a top quality product. This highest grade of psyllium produces a swell volume that exceeds all USP requirements and providing a constant supply of fresh water will assure the maximum, beneficial effect of Equisyl Advantage.

Psyllium is a soluble fiber that comes from a plant most commonly grown in India and becomes gelatinous and sticky in water. It is broken down in the large bowel and becomes a food source for the bacteria that live in the colon. These healthy bacteria bulk up the stool, creating larger softer stool which is easier to pass. Psyllium comes in many grades and is used in many ways from pharmaceutical grade to commercial grades. Only Pharmaceutical and Food grade Psyllium is subject to FDA USP testing standards and regulations. This means that products falling into these categories have the heavy metals extracted and are tested free of salmonella and e-coli types of bacteria. Equisyl Advantage is made of Pharmaceutical grade psyllium.

Advantage has been recommended by veterinarians for over 15 years in the treatment and prevention of Sand Colic. Many have tried other Psyllium products and returned to Equisyl Advantage as they find it works best. Many cite the ease of feeding Equisyl Advantage as compared to other products. Three tablespoons a week in your horse’s feed is all that’s required. It is the best of science and nature combined to give superior care for your horse.

For more information on Equisyl Advantage, call 1-800-689-7601 or visit us at www.equisyl.com.