All my horses are ill.... VERY LONG

[pips&peeps]

Quote:
Pat,

You hit the nail right on the head! I was looking at hoary alyssum too. In fact, I just went through the hay and found some suspicious looking weeds that are similar to the picture I found on the internet.

I thought it looked alot like one of my flower garden plants called snow in summer, so I looked for something similar.

Haven't had shavings for the horses til last night and Potomoc Horse Fever is unheard of in this part of the woods.

Edited: Because I can't spell.............

 

[Wynette]

Sounds like you're on the right track - I'm so sorry to hear this. I get so panicked with my horses, too - I completely understand. Whoda thunk you'd have a load of hay with a nasty weed that would cause that many problems? Sheesh! Hope they all do better very soon...GOOD LUCK! I'm thinking 'bout ya! :aww

 

[chickbea]

Mercy - all sick at once - I'd be a basketcase.
It sounds like you are being a good detective about it - all I can offer are my best wishes for a quick resolution.

 

[greeneggsandham]

Sounds to me like there is something hidden in the new hay. If your horses had been fine up until the arrival of the new hay and you didn't take them off the property to a show or anything then its the hay. I would get the hay checked out and the weed you found in it.

Hope your babies are ok.

 

[rooster0209]

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI5567.html

http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/aghoarya.htm

Hoary Alyssum: Toxicity to Horses,
Forage Quality, and Control
R. L. Becker, N. P. Martin and M. J. Murphy




The possible toxicity of hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana) to horses has recently become an issue of local concern. The following summarizes the current knowledge and recommendations concerning this issue.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Clinical Signs and Toxicity
The toxicity of hoary alyssum to any species of animal has not previously been reported. Therefore, our current understanding is based on field reports and recent feeding studies. No cases of hoary alyssum toxicity in ruminants (dairy, beef, sheep or goats) have been reported to date. Some horses, however, have shown a response to hoary alyssum.




Clinical signs
Horses experience depression and a "stocking up," or swelling of the lower legs, 12 to 24 hours following ingestion of hoary alyssum in hay or on pasture. A fever and occasionally short term diarrhea have also been observed. These clinical signs normally subside 2 to 4 days following removal of the alyssum source. In more severe cases, an apparent founder with a stiffness of joints and reluctance of the animal to move has been observed. Recovery of animals with clinical evidence of founder may take several additional days.

In very rare cases, where hoary alyssum comprised extremely high percentages of the hay (30 to 70%), circumstantial evidence exists associating the plant with the death of a few horses. To date, death has not occurred in horses fed hay containing hoary alyssum under experimental conditions.




Toxicity
Definitive statements about the toxicity of hoary alyssum when eaten by horses are difficult to make, considering the fact that many horses do not appear to be affected by it.

In field cases where a large number of horses were known to be involved, only approximately 50% of the animals ingesting hay containing 30 to 70% hoary alyssum demonstrated any of the clinical signs of toxicity. The cases of severe "stocking up," apparent founder, and death have only been observed in horses ingesting hay containing 30 to 70% hoary alyssum. Only mild "stocking up" has been observed in horses on pasture or those ingesting hay with low percentages of alyssum.

 

[EweSheep]

I sure hope things will be OK for your horses! Let us know what you find!

 

[karanleaf]

Pips &pepps I am sure glad you got a good look at that hay and found a subject of suspicion.
Let us know for sure what you find out....

We will keep our thoughts with you...

I know you have a lot of work ahead with caring for those guys.

You are Right Jean I believe Pat was on the right track.
I never gave Walnut a thought thou, but it does seem it is alyssum in the hay.

It sure is nice to be able to have an extenisive support system when you need one...

Again Pips my thought and prayers are with you.

 

[Skyesrocket]

So sorry!
It does sound like the problem is coming from the hay. Have it checked and let your supplier know that there might be a problem. And, just in case, if you know anyone that bought from that supplier let them know what is going on.
Depending on how much hay that supplier sells, chances are that your local vets are dealing with that in other peoples horses right now too.
That happened around here several years ago.
I hope they all make speedy recoveries.

 

[Calebs Acre]

http://hayandforage.com/news/hoary-alyssum-horse-hay/

My friend agrees with your initial assessment.

 

[lizardz]

Sounds like you're on the right track. Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.

Liz