Psyllium, Magnesium Sulfate’s Sand Clearing Ability Studied

A simple combination of psyllium and magnesium sulfate appears to be both safe and effective for helping horses evacuate sand from their colons, an international group of researchers recently reported.

“The accumulation of sand in the large colon of horses is relatively common in some areas of the world,” said lead researcher Kati Niinistö, DVM, Dipl. ECEIM, director of the University of Helsinki, Finland, Equine Hospital. “Affected horses are at risk of colicking; chronic, intermittent diarrhea; and weight loss.”

In Finland, veterinarians frequently see sand colic in pleasure horses and ponies in t