How to get From This

Scouring is a natural flushing process which occurs when the normal digestive processes in the lower gut of an animal are disturbed. In extremis it results in diarrhoea, with potentially lethal consequences. The equine digestive system, in common with that of other mammals, carries an enormous microbial population. The horse relies on these to help digest the fibrous part of its diet & synthesise some vitamins.

Causes
1. Starch & sugar overload caused by feeding excessive amounts of cereals e.g. oats, barley, wheat & maize. Other feeds such as peas, beans, soya & copra contain significant amounts. Feeding high levels of copra & garlic can cause loose droppings.
2.Lush spring grass, & poor quality haylage can allow harmful microbes etc to proliferate and colonise the gut.
3. Parasite infestation by large and small redworm, tapeworm etc which attack the gut wall.
3. Colonic ulceration caused by drugs such as phenylbutazone can give similar symptoms.
4. Harmful microbes of various types which produce toxins & can damage the gut wall possibly leading to "Leaky Gut" . See below.

To This

Equine Faecal Water Syndrome (EFWS) & Free Faecal Water (FFW).
Fluid is passed, staining the hind-quarters and possibly causing skin sores. It can occur when droppings are otherwise normal. Research has not so far been able to establish a precise cause for this problem.
Leaky Gut
The inflammation in the intestinal lining resulting from the causes outlined above can cause gaps to occur between the cells lining the gut wall & allow bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream and proteins etc from the bloodstream to leach out from it. This can cause weight loss, leading in extremis to death. The author recalls a sad case about 15 years ago, when asked for assistance with a severely malnourished horse. It failed to respond to a diet rich in soya & linseed & was eventually put to sleep.
Research has found that this problem can be managed with feeds & supplements with ingredients that support those microbes which produce butyric acid, essential for gut wall health.
The author can advise you on suitable products.

Horseheath Nutrition can advise you on management, supplements & feeds for managing the problems described above if you submit a Nutrition Enquiry Form