Here it is again.
 
 
 
> that the other foals that my mare has had.  It does not seem that
> she is growing out of this.  I am hoping as a two year old things
> might be better.  Any suggestions???
 
Call Alamo Pintada in Solvang.. they have some of the best vets in Ca. there.
Or the ortho vets at UC Davis.
 
 
> Also, I am planning to bring my colt out next year. In Southern
> California a lot of horses have sand colic and some of them get
> "Stones".  I dont want my colt to have problems with this.  Has
> anyone experienced this?  The water here is not the greatest, is
> there a filtration system that people can use for automatic
> watering systems?  Any recommendations would be appreciated.  Hope
> to hear from you (especially any App lovers)?  Thanks....
 
1) Stones or Enteroliths come from mineral deposits not sand.. the problems 
endemic to Socal come from the mineral content in the water and in the Alfafa 
and the horse having a non-acidic PH level in the gut (can't remember the 
exact term).
 
2) The easiest way around this problem is the remove excessive amounts of 
minerals by a couple of means.
 
Do not feed all alfafa..  feed half and half, alfafa and then maybe Oat the 
second feeding. There is a high quality four grain oat hay in Ca.. it's 
expensive but it really helps.
 
Out your horse on a regular feeding of Pyllium Seed husk as noted by the 
label on the product and/or the advice of your vet. Mary's up in Del Mar 
carries several choices of this product.
 
Personally I "Purge" my horses at least once seriously a month.. then I feed 
it to them twice a week in smaller amounts, especially my filly.
 
You can also use a routine of feeding the horses Apple cider vineger.. I do, 
but the effectiveness of this is being debated. I've personally seen it work.
 
BTW.. I have a stone my mare passed sitting here. It was passed after I 
radically changed her diet years ago.. and after I put her on Vineger.
 
 
                                 BK
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