Chia can help remove sand from the gut
Does your horse suffer from recurring colic, loose manure, or diarrhea? The cause may be sand ingestion and sand accumulation in the intestines. Sand eating seems most common in leisure horses, and large sand accumulations are frequently found especially in Finnhorses. An accumulation can develop if the horse eats hay very closely from the ground, is on sparse pasture and pulls up grass with the roots. Sand accumulation is often a self-perpetuating problem. First, a small amount of sand settles at the bottom of the intestine. The weight of the sand reduces normal gut movement and leads to further accumulation. Horses may show very vague symptoms that are not always assumed to be related to sand, but which improve when the sand is removed. These can include a generally poor coat, difficulty urinating, or performance problems.
Chia seeds can be used to help remove sand from a horse’s digestive tract. Chia’s high fiber content activates intestinal function, and the gel formed by chia seeds binds sand effectively and carries it out of the gut. For sand removal, it is recommended to double the dose for 1–2 weeks. If symptoms do not resolve, a veterinary examination is recommended, and possibly intestinal X-rays.
