Horse & Rider USA – September 2019

Fall 2019 / 37

LARGE PHOTO BY VIRGONIRA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF FARNAM; TOP-LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF HAYGAIN FORAGER; TOP-MIDDLE PHOTO COURTESY OF 
GREATMATS; TOP-RIGHT PHOTO BY PIMMIMEMOM/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Consider

Psyllium

If, despite other preventive
measures, you’re still worried
about sand, ask your veterinar-

ian about the periodic feeding

of a psyllium supplement to

help clear out your horse’s

intestines. If you do use a psylli-

um product:

 Follow directions

precisely.

^ Don’t wet the product—it’ll

get sticky.

 Provide plenty of clean,

fresh water.

Fecal Sand Float

To check for sand, place six of

your horse’s fresh, uncontami-

nated fecal balls in a pail, cover

them with about a quart of water,

stir, and allow to sit for 15 min-

utes. If more than a teaspoon of

sand settles to the bottom, check

with your vet for advice.

Feed Safely

keep it clean

Make use of hay nets or slow

feeders to keep hay from get-

ting strewn on the ground.

put mats down

For extra protection, place

rubber mats under where your

horse eats hay or grain.

provide salt

Provide salt, as a lack of it can

cause horses to eat soil in a

search for sodium.