Scouring is a natural flushing process which occurs when the normal digestive processes in the lower gut of an animal are disturbed. The equine digestive system, in common with that of other mammals, carries an enormous bacterial population. In healthy, correctly - fed animals, potentially harmful bacteria such as Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Streptococcus, etc are largely  naturally suppressed. Insults to the digestive tract for example by lush spring grass, or poor quality haylage can allow such pathogens to proliferate and colonise the gut, leading initially to loose droppings and scours, with potentially lethal consequences.

Research has shown that substances known as OLIGOSACCHARIDES (derived from the cell walls of some strains of yeast) can prevent the colonisation of the gut wall by these harmful organisms, thereby minimising scour and loose droppings.

Hind-gut wall irritation and inflammation can be caused by parasite infestation by large and small redworm, tapeworm etc etc. This often exhibits as chronically soft, poorly formed droppings, passed with fluid which stains the hind-quarters and can cause skin sores. Colonic ulceration caused by drugs such as phenylbutazone and similar can give similar symptoms. See ULCERS

To prevent loose droppings and scour you should therefore:

• avoid / reduce rich grass or haylage;

• increase long fibre in diet

• reduce/eliminate starch from feed (in flaked maize, barley, oats etc)

• don't give laxatives  e. g. Epsom Salts.

• avoid/reduce use of drugs such as 'Bute

• check your worming programme with particular regard to redworm and tapeworm.
   
  A number of Gravenhorse customers have successfully controlled scour problems and loose droppings by feeding HORSEHEATH products containing live yeast. Go to the Products page for more information, or you can order live yeast here:
  
  Yea-Sacc^TM1026 by Alltech Inc.  Pack sizes - 80gm(trial 7-16 days)  -           £4.90;
                                                                               450gm(standard 40-90 days)-£9.50;
                                                                               900 gm(large75-225 days)-     £15.00.
  Prices include postage & packing. Please select a pack size, then checkout to confirm & pay.
  
  Daily usage - pony 4 - 6 gm; horse 7 - 9 gm; heavy 10 - 12 gm
  A 5 ml teaspoon holds 5gm.

For individual advice, please telephone or use the E-MAIL Enquiry Form 

N.B. Erica is referring to horseheath ANTI-LAM (first manufactured in1999) (more info)