sand colic aka impaction

[floridaGirl13]

We just lost our beloved Cappi mama, the grandma and matriarch of the farm due to sand colic. She was so strong that she never even showed any sign of pain or discomfort until it was too late. I could sit here and complain about the hospital she went to but I wont waste you're time. I just want to stress the importance of using some kind of de-sander if your horse is turned out in a dirt/sand paddock and eats hay from the ground, knowing the warning signs, knowing what to do until the vet arrives. As Cappi just recently passed and is grazing in peace in the greenest pasture of all, our wound is still fresh. Feel free to share stories of your horses who have been turned out to the greenest pasture of all. Knowledge is power, we must all learn from each other.

 

[GLENMAR]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[floridaGirl13]

Thank you. Every time I drop feed I get the feeling that I'm forgetting one of them... her paddock mate was so dependant of her and I'm hoping that now she might blossom and come into her own, so to speak. She's a tough cookie but I know she is still upset

 

[perchie.girl]

So sorry for your loss.

I have had two cases of colic but no sand colic which is really unnusual because I have always boarded in Riverbeds.... I Lost one mare to an entrolith but thats a different issue.

Couple of things that you can do to help with sand colic issues.....

Using a sand clear product is a good

Feed off a stall mat.

Feeding in a feeder which holds most of the feed yet still at grazing height for nasal draining is good. I have a BIG horse lol so I feed in a plastic feed bin which holds 125 lbs at a time

Divide the feed up into multiple feedings. I know with minis you have to be careful to monitor how much they eat...

I use an Amazing Grazer which is a plastic Treat dispenser. Its Green shaped like a mushroom and you can fill it with any kind of pellet or or even bits of carrot. they roll that thing around and it dispenses a little treat..... they roll it around and another treat. Good for boredom I load mine with cubes or bermuda pellets. But you could also load it with the daily feed alottment for say a noon feeding. its good for boredom and keeps them busy trying to dispense the next goodie rather than sifting the sand for more. I had mine in my mares 24 x 24 pipe corral and yes it could roll under but Mann she kept track of that thing.....

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16270

Just some thoughts.

deb