Dragonfly  Equine Medical Services
For the health of your horse

Cheryl Ann Rusin, DVM, CVA
Medicine, Reproduction, Acupuncture

Office: 352-357-3300
Fax: 352-483-3301
www.dragonflyequine.com

LongEars

Dr. Cheryl Ann Rusin of Dragonfly Equine Medical Services in Eustis, Florida, is the one to turn to for the care of your horse.  Dr. Rusin is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, Florida.  Besides routine and emergency care, she is a certified veterinary acupuncturist, having studied under Dr. Huisheng Xie at the Chi Institute in Reddick, FL.

Dr. Rusin's husband, Scott

Daniel and Eggnog

Ask the Vet:  Sand Management Program

Dr. Rusin’s purpose in going “on-line” is to educate people so that they can take the best possible care of their horses.  In that vein, she’d like to answer your questions through the MECS website.  And since you haven’t had time to send any questions in yet, she’ll ask the first one:  How are you doing with your sand management program?  And if your answer is “what program?” then, she knows your answer.  Why is sand management so important?  Have you ever heard of colic?

            And here is Dr. Rusin:

      When I approach the subject of sand, I usually ask "Are you keeping up on your sand therapy?" While strategies vary around the country, the environment in Florida is such that we need to take extra care to ensure that our horses are ridding themselves of the sand they inadvertently pick up on a daily basis. (Notice I didn't say if they pick up sand...)The best tool we have is psyllium, which is available in a variety of forms and flavors. Psyllium becomes gel-like when moistened by saliva and/or gastric juices and serves to pick up sand from the gut as it passes through. The amount of psyllium and the frequency of feeding are both important. A tablespoon does little in a gut that holds gallons and gallons. Likewise, the bacteria responsible for digestion in the large colon are smart critters that will learn to digest psyllium if fed on a daily basis, which defeats the purpose.
     
     So, the most effective sand therapy program for most horses in Florida is to feed 8oz (measuring cup) twice daily one day a week FOREVER.  If your pasture is poor or your horse is kept on a dirt lot, then therapy should be modified to 8oz twice daily twice a week on NON-CONSECUTIVE days. For example, Sunday and Wednesday or Saturday and Tuesday. Occasionally, we have to feed a purge cycle which entails 8oz twice daily for 5 days. Are there any times of the year that sand management is more important than others?  While we must address sand therapy on a weekly basis in Florida, spring and fall tend to be seasons that we need to pay extra special attention. Horses try to get the very newest, greenest shoots of new grass as it is coming in, and they try to get the very last green available when the grass is dying. These are often times that we need to increase our frequency to twice a week.
     
     Barn management can help to reduce the amount of sand your horse consumes. Do not feed hay directly on the ground. Place hay on a mat or wide board that can be swept off before feeding. Likewise, if your horse is a messy eater, place a mat or board beneath his/her bucket that can be swept before eating to provide a clean place for him/her to later pick up what they have dropped. Plenty of good quality hay provides for a full and healthy colon.  A healthy colon has better motility and therefore ability to move sand along and OUT.
      
     Psyllium is available in powdered and pelleted forms. The pelleted forms are usually flavored and are harder to sort out of feed than the powdered variety. If you choose to use powdered psyllium (Metamucil or equivalent store brands) be sure to use those that are sugar-free. The goal is a 99% psyllium content.

Thanks, Dr. Rusin.  Now it’s your turn.  Send any questions c/o Laura Causey at lgcmecs@equinecommunications.com and Dr. Rusin will try to give you complete, helpful, insightful answers to your questions.