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

To prevent loose droppings and scour you should therefore avoid / reduce rich grass or haylage; increase long fibre in diet; don't give laxatives  e. g. Epsom Salts.
 
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)