Evaluation of Fecal Sand Clearance in Horses With Naturally Acquired Colonic Sand Accumulation With a Product Containing Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Psyllium

Consumption of sand and dirt in horses can cause chronic diarrhea and colic because of irritation and obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract of horses. Prevention has primarily focused on changes in management to reduce the intake of sand and feeding of psyllium products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a product containing probiotics, prebiotics, and psyllium in the clearance of colonic sand in horses with naturally acquired sand accumulation using a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical trial format. After identification of 10 horses with sand accumulation as determined by both auscultation and abdominal radiography, quantitative assessment of changes in colonic sand content in response to management changes combined with treatment with the probiotic/psyllium product or no treatment was assessed by blinded observers. Fecal sand output was monitored in both groups via sand sedimentation analysis of fecal samples every 3 days for 35 days and with pre- and post-treatment abdominal radiography. There was a significant reduction in sand accumulation in both treatment and control groups, but there were no significant differences between treatment and control groups in clearance of colonic sand as measured by both fecal sand sedimentation and quantitative radiography. •Sand colic in horses is common.•Probiotic and prebiotic treatment and grass pasture may facilitate the evacuation of colonic sand.•Fecal sand sedimentation testing had low sensitivity in quantifying colonic sand output.•Abdominal radiography was a sensitive means of quantifying colonic sand.