Care and Knowledge
Care and Knowledge
10 Tips For Fighting Fungus-
Tall fescue is a grass which grows on over 35 million acres of land in the United
States. As many as 700,000 horses may graze fescue pastures or be fed fescue hay
each year. Many of these pastures contain fescue that is infected with an endophytic
fungus that is toxic to horses. When the horse ingests the grass, it is steadily
poisoned by alkaloids produced by the fungus.
What many owners may not realize is
that there are some significant health risks associated with horses eating endophyte
fungus-
2.
Mow fields prior to the development of seed heads, which contain the highest levels
of toxins in the plant.
3. Remove horses from EI fescue pastures in conditions of
extreme heat and drought.
4. Remove broodmares from EI fescue pastures 30 days prior
to breeding and 60 -
5. Keep accurate records of breeding
and anticipated foaling dates.
6. Notify your veterinarian for initiation of drug
therapy if your mare has been grazing EI fescue prior to foaling.
7. Monitor the mare
closely during late pregnancy.
8. Contact your veterinarian if impending signs of
birth, including udder development, relaxation of vulva, and muscles around the tailhead
fail to develop within the expected timeframe.
9. Attend the birth. If mare fails
to show signs of normal birth progression, contact your veterinarian immediately.
10.
Keep mares and foals off EI fescue until after weaning to prevent poor milk production.
If replanting a pasture, it is extremely important that all infected plants and seeds
be destroyed prior to sowing. Discuss the best methods for eliminating stands of
infected fescue with an agronomist, toxicologist or your county extension agent.
For
more information about treating EI fescue problems in your horse, contact your equine
veterinarian and request "Fescue: Minimizing the Risk to Your Horse's Health," a
brochure provided by the AAEP in conjunction with Educational Partners Bayer Animal
Health and Purina Mills. Additional information can also be found on the AAEP's horse
health Web site, www.myHorseMatters.com.
Reprinted with permission from the American
Association of Equine Practitioners.
Little Hawk Farm All Rights Reserved 2012