Horse Owners - Looking For Advice Regarding Sand Colic

[hen-thusiast]

I'll talk to the vet about checking her for ulcers, never thought of that. But she's been like this her whole life and it's never gotten better or worse. I think it's just her. She kind of had an awful upbringing and came to us in pretty bad shape. She was seriously underweight and had been abused. She's also a horrible creature of habit and doesn't like any change in her life period.

The vet did check her out after the last case of colic. She wasn't the one who coliced two months ago and there wasn't a ton of sand that passed. My gelding is way more prone to colic, but that is just because he eats everything and anything that blows into the paddock.

Thank you Rusty! I bet she'll love wheat bran! I never thought of that. Half a scoop, twice a week is something I bet we can both live with. Especially hot bran mash. Yum!

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I also used to do a running check for sand. All that's necessary are 2 clear jars about 1 quart size. Right before you bran, collect 3-4 FRESH horse apples, drop them in the jar, fill 3/4 full of tap water, tighten the lid good and tight--and shake hard! The apples will disintegrate into liquid. Let that sit for 24 hours and any sand will settle to the bottom. Then 24 hours after the bran, repeat the test in the 2nd jar and compare your results. The second jar should have way more sand. This means the bran did its job.

Ideally after you have been treating for sand for awhile, the first jar won't show any sand and the second one will show very little.

HTH

Rusty

 

[verthandi]

This will sound crazy to some, but sometimes you can overcome their reaction to the smell of medicines or suppliments by wiping a small amount of it in their nostrils in the morning, then again at night just before you give them their grain. They have already gotten use to the strange odor and may eat their grain and not even notice the sand clear.

 

[Cara]

How about flavored Smartpaks?

http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=6292

This supplement also seems to be more palatable:

http://www.smartpakequine.com/productclass.aspx?productClassid=186

 

[bkreugar]

Henthusiast I can so relate to your picky eatier! I have a 21 yr old retired mare (due to a huge arthritic knee). I can no longer give her powder bute on her feed because even WITH molases or pancake syrup or applesauce or ANYTHING she will just walk away.

She is a VERY hard keeper who gets 15# of southern states senior between 2 feeds AND has her teeth done 2x a year.SO I can only do paste bute when she needs it.

She was supposed to be a prime ulcer candidate also so I had her scoped and she only had ONE TINY healed one.

No advice I can just relate.My girls one indulgence she NEVER turns down is alfalfa hay.

 

[hen-thusiast]

Quote:
Sounds like our mares are kindred spirits. Only in the last two years has she finally decided to like Equine Senior. It's amazing how much they can eat and never seem to put on weight.

I've looked into Smart-Pak and the daily stuff is a bit pricey. I do like the fact they send out free three day supplies for picky eaters. I think a special feeder and/or rubber mats might be cheaper (and less frustrating) in the long haul.

Good idea about the rubbing in the nose. I remember once someone telling me to put vicks vapor rub in their nose because it hides the smell. Never tried it though.