Anyone worried about grass sickness?

[popsicle]

I have been reading about grass sickness and how it is more prevalent in the eastern counties. (Where we are) as many as one in 200 horses die from it each year in certain areas.
A horse I had as a teenager died of this years ago. (After we sold him, so i didn't see it)

Anyone have any experience of this? I believe it kills most horses who get it and they don't really know what causes it, other than something in the soil or grass.

[rebanna]

yes there was a thing in one of the mag's saying where in the counry's a hot spot etc what u can do il see if i can find it and put bit's up

[Blonde Donkey]

i'm always worried about it
to be fair i'm worried about a lot of things when it comes to savvy

[rebanna]

its in horse and rider OK to prevent
* don't disturb the soil eg poo pick by hand don't harrow
*supplement forage don't rely on grass
*avoid sudden changes in diet
*don't over use ivermectin-based wormer's
* limit grassing if there has been a case in Ur area
*provide a lick

[popsicle]

thanks rebanna. It's a worry eh?

[rebanna]

there is load's more but dont want to break copy right id advise buying it if u dont have it got the hot spot's as well, it's the new one out

[popsicle]

Yea have got it. ~Thats where I read about it. cant stop it for sure though unfortunately.

[rebanna]

it's strange id never heard of it til a year ago has it been around a long time?

[popsicle]

Jul 1, 2008 21:56:13 GMT rebanna said:

it's strange id never heard of it til a year ago has it been around a long time?

Yes. The horse I lost as a teenager was 30 years ago.

[wraggel]

I'd never heard of it till I came onto this forum and read about the very sad loss of a wondefull horse who died with it. Then I read about the condition by following a link on another members thread. For this reason I'm grateful to be wiser but neverther the less more afraid of something it seems I can do little about. Horrible illness with what seems to lots of contributing factors.

[duckles]

I think grass sickness must be a nightmare. I am grateful for prevention tips like rebanna gave and try and incorporate them but other than that , I try not to think of it as there is little you can do if it strikes. I'm sure there must be some cause- just wish they could find it out.

[fimacg]

It was my horse Figaro that died from it last year, (it killed him in less than 12 hours) and unfortunately until they find a cure there is nothing that can really be done. there are ways to manage the risk but it can't ever be removed.

The best place to find out the latest up to date information it the Grass Sickness trust:

www.grasssickness.org.uk/

The trust hosted a seminar about 2 months ago in Edinburgh about the disease and the latest findings (probably why there is a spate of articles about it now):

this is quite a good article and reflects the findings presented in this seminar.

www.snequestrian.com/news_windows/grass_sickness.htm

Other things include the fact that low levels of phosphorous and high levels of selenium were also associated with EGS.

Greater prevalenace where:
there is building works eg new arena, new stables
there is overgrazing
ground is very poached and oorly drained


Animals most at risk are young adults, new arrivals, overweight animals

high risk periods 10 days or more of cool dry weather, when this happens (especially if there is a frost in the mornings) I keep my boys in and only turn out for a couple of hours in the middle of the day if possible.

Potential protective measures
co-graze with rumiants
regular grass cutting
hand removal of droppings
feeding supplementary forage

I also feed a pro-biotic for 10 days before and 10 days after I make any changes or worm them, during the high risk periods.

Since Fig died I donate every month to trust which helps fund the research and pay for the nurses dedicated to caring for the grass sickness cases.

For those in Scotland there is a ride this summer (am trying to find the date and hope I haven't missed it) to raise money for the charity. and if you don't want to bring a horse it could also be done on foot or by bike

[wraggel]

I've just visited the web sites on your post fimacg, Im going to looking at using probiotocs seriously.
Anything that can protect, enhance or help the natural cut flora to fight the clostridium bacteria (in any form) has to be beneficial. I dont want to get paranoid about this condition but I think I know of a Clysdale horse that was taken by this sickness just two weeks ago. He isnt in my area but not far away.X

[fimacg]

I know of a few cases from the past couple of weeks in NE Scotland around Aberdeen and Huntly I am convinced that it is the weather because in the last couple of weeks the grass has gone mental after being checked by the prolonged dry spell we had.