Fiberpsyll™

Features & Benefits

• Psyllium Mucilloid–Water soluble to encapsulate sand and dirt
• Wheat Bran and Beet Pulp–Bulk fiber to move digestive mass efficiently
• Pelleted–Ease of feed, handling and storage
• No Gluey Mess!

The term “colic” applied to horses refers to any upset of the stomach or intestines. Most horse owners who live in sandy soils are well aware of sand colic, an intestinal irritation or impaction caused by a horse ingesting sand or dirt with their feed. Even horses in other locations can ingest quite a bit of dirt while grazing or being fed hay on the ground. Although horses naturally rid their intestines of some dirt and sand in their feces. But, when the amount of sand ingested is greater than the natural elimination process can handle, problems may occur. To help prevent sand colic provide a sand-free eating area and make areas under feeders out of concrete, planks or rubber mats. Feed only clean hay and provide clean, fresh drinking water.

One or more of these symptoms typifies sand colic:

Sluggish behavior
Restlessness
Weight loss
Diarrhea
Lying down
Pawing
Rolling
Kicking or biting at the sides
Stretched out position resembling the urination posture
Sweating
Elevated heart and respiratory rates

All are typical symptoms to watch for. A test commonly used is to take six fecal balls and mix them in a container with water. After thirty minutes pour off the water and if there is more than a tablespoon of sand present, there is a high probability that there is an accumulation in the horse’s intestine that could lead to sand colic (ask for The Sand Colic Test Kit from Select The Best®). Your veterinarian should be consulted to confirm your observation. Without timely treatment, a mild colic case can turn very rapidly into a life threatening situation for your horse. Fatal sand colic cases can reveal large amounts of sand in the intestinal tract.

By feeding soluble and insoluble fiber together you can help your horse to gradually and naturally eliminate the sand in the intestinal tract. Another remedy, large amounts of oil, will either float uselessly over the top of the sand or force eliminate it at once, possibly causing an impaction in the intestine. Soluble fiber absorbs water, increases bulk, and aids in pushing the sand/dirt safely through the digestive system. Insoluble fiber adds the extra bulk and structure to help move the encapsulated sand out efficiently. Fiberpsyll™ contains 100% psyllium mixed with wheat bran and beet pulp to effectively, safely, and naturally remove dirt and sand.

Veterinary practices on the Pacific Coast, in Florida, and the Southwest prescribe periodic doses of psyllium-husk products as a preventive measure. Because psyllium seed husk contains 80 percent water-soluble fiber, it has the ability to capture and move sand through a horse’s digestive system. On contact with fluids, psyllium swells and becomes a bulky, gel-like, mucous mass. This is why grain should never be wet to get the psyllium to “stick” to it. The result would be an ineffective gluey mess. The hydrophilic characteristic of psyllium is also the reason feeders require more cleaning when psyllium products are fed. The horse’s saliva starts the gel-making process, and the feeders tend to get a tapioca-like coating. To prevent choking when feeding psyllium, a horse should have unlimited access to water, and horses that bolt their grain should be slowed down with large rocks in their feeders. All horses, even foals, can be fed with psyllium without any harmful side effects.

The purpose of psyllium is to suspend sand/dirt granules in a gelatinous mass capable of retaining and moving the sand out of the digestive system. This movement, as well as all digesta movement, is accomplished through a process called peristalsis (gut motility). It has been documented that fiber encourages increased peristalsis in several specie of livestock. Wheat bran and beet pulp insure rapid movement of the psyllium mixture out of the digestive system; old favorites in the feed room, these important fiber sources add to the palatability and bulk density of the ration. They are very effective when fed with psyllium to remove sand and dirt, ineffective when fed alone.

A natural dietary fiber supplement with psyllium, wheat bran, and beet pulp.

Directions:
First Dose Rate: To help existing symptoms feed 3/4 cup, 3 times a day for 3 days, stop for 3 days and repeat process.

For a Maintenance Program:
Feed one cup, once per day, twice a week.

Note: One scoop (enclosed) = 3 oz (85 grams)

Ingredients: Psyllium seed husk, Wheat bran, and Beet pulp