Scours in Horses

Scours is a potentially life threatening condition sometimes caused by a bacterial infection like salmonella or possibly ulceration. Long term stress and the action of adrenaline can alter the pH of the stomach predisposing the horse to scours.

The picture is of Agrinomy one of the most effective herbs to help with scours.

Immediate Action:
Call the vet as soon as scours is suspected.

• Administer Rescue Remedy every half hour


• Give 60ml of strained Chamomile tea given every half hour.


• Probiotics like natural yoghurt feed two tablespoons mixed with manuka honey Syringe into mouth x3 day.


• Give a small medicinal feed 3-4 x daily see recipe below.

Alternative Preventative and Herbal Treatment.
Horses prone to scours should be kept on a diet that excludes excessive amounts of protein rich foods, lucerne and lush grass. It is advisable to mix your own feeds avoiding for a time premixed feeds.

• Feed medicinal feed 2-3 x daily


• Administer Chamomile Calm 3ml daily


• feed 3-4 tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds to bulk up stools and absorb excess fluid in the bowel.


• Routine feeding of liver and digestive stimulants. Hira Conditioning Feed Boost has liver stimulants and is a digestive aid.


• Ensure that the horse has healthy gut flora. This can be restored by providing acidophyllus powder and or probiotics. (this is very important)


• Every two weeks Echinacae extract 3ml daily week on week off
  


• Medicinal Feed recipe
  1scoop meadow chaff
  1 cup boiled barley and linseeds
  1 tablespoon dolomite
  1 tablespoon bentonite ( a clay to bind stools)
  1 tablespoon slippery elm
  Fresh dandelion leaves
  1 tablespoon of kelp (restores electrolytes)
  I leaf of comfrey (discontinue after a week)
  1 tsp of garlic granules or raw garlic (better)1 tablespoon of Agronomy leaves (this is astringent and will help firm