What Causes A Horse To Stagger?

Staggers is caused by specific mycotoxins, most commonly lolitrem B produced by the endophyte fungi within perennial rye-grass. Staggers may also result from ingestion of mycotoxins in other grasses such as Claviceps paspali in paspalum grass. The toxins are particularly abundant in the leaf sheath and flower heads.

How does rye grass affect horses?

Ryegrass toxicity can be fatal. Ryegrass is not a toxic plant, it becomes toxic when the bacterium Rathayibacter toxicus enters the seed heads. The bacteria produces the poisonous chemical called corynetoxin. Once the contaminated ryegrass is ingested, it begins to affect the horse’s central nervous system.

What is a grass affected horse?

A ‘Grass affected horse’ is one where one or multiple aspects of their diet are adversely affecting their health and behavior. This usually originates from the forage (grass) but can be further exacerbated by the addition of other potassium rich feeds to their diet.

Can horses eat rye?

Horses showed distinct preferences for certain grasses. In general, horses preferred annual ryegrass, spring wheat and winter wheat, which they ate in a range from 35 to 94 percent. Horses didn’t like spring oat, spring forage oat, winter barley and winter rye, as much.

How do you treat horse staggers?

Ideally the toxic feed source should be removed from the diet, by taking horses off the affected pastures or stop feeding out affected hay. It is advisable to replace the affected fibre sources with less rye grass-dominant pasture or hay.

How do you stop ryegrass staggers?

It is recommended that you act early to graze off your ryegrass to prevent having tall, dry ryegrass in late summer. Great season means an increased risk of PRGS. Highest risk in March–April with high carryover of dry ryegrass. Graze ryegrass paddocks in early summer to reduce risk.

What are the signs of grass sickness in horses?

CLINICAL SIGNS
In acute grass sickness, the symptoms are severe, appear suddenly and the horse will die or require to be put down within two days of the onset. Severe gut paralysis leads to signs of colic including rolling, pawing at the ground and looking at the flanks, difficulty in swallowing and drooling of saliva.

What are the symptoms of fescue toxicity in horses?

Symptoms of Fescue Toxicity in Horses

• Overall reduced performance.
• Fever.
• Lameness.
• Sloughing off of the end of the tail.
• Poor weight gai.
• Increased respiration rate.
• Rough coat.
• Excessive salivation.

What can I feed grass to affect horses?

GrazeEzy is the best product you can feed long term for horses that are prone to being Grass Affected. The purpose of GrazeEzy is to counteract the mineral imbalances inherent in green grass. It contains minerals which help to buffer the adverse effect of high potassium.

What are 3 things horses should not eat?

Here are eight foods you should never feed your horse:

• Chocolate. ©russellstreet/Flickr CC.
• Persimmons.
• Avocado.
• Lawn clippings.
• Pitted fruits.
• Bread.
• Potatoes and other nightshades.
• Yogurt or other milk products.

What hay should horses not eat?

Types of Hay for Horses—What to Avoid

• Perennial ryegrass and rye.
• Dallisgrass.
• Argentine bahiagrass.
• Johnsongrass, Sorghum grasses/Sudangrass.
• Switchgrass, which causes photosensitivity, peeling skin, mouth ulcers and liver disease.
• Foxtail Millet (aka German Millet) and Meadow foxtail.

What hay is not good for horses?

Bahiagrass: This grass hails from the southern coastal plains. It’s typically found in pastures, so the stuff they make into hay is not that great for horses. Overly mature Bahiagrass hay can cause ergot poisoning, so buyer beware.

Why does my horse keeps stumbling?

Often, horses who stumble or trip need slight alterations to their trimming or shoeing – they might have toes that are too long, the angles in the hooves could be too shallow or too steep, one foot might be shaped differently to the other, or there could even be instances where a disease of the hoof causes stumbling.

What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency in horses?

Magnesium plays an important role in nerve and muscle function. Horses deficient in this vital mineral often show signs of nervousness, wariness, excitability, jumpiness, tight sore backs (not related to saddle fit), muscle tremors, and hypersensitive skin – our products can help.

What helps a horse balance?

Believe it or not, simple exercises that involve a change of direction are a great way to help your horse improve his balance. The key here is to find the shoulder your horse tends to drift through. Ride your horse in circles and curves to help him handle both shoulders well.

What does grass staggers look like?

The initial symptoms of Mg deficiency are nervousness, ears pricked, nostrils flaring, eyes alert and head held high. Movement is stiff, like a cow is walking on stilts, and she will stagger when forced to move quickly. Cows suffer loss of appetite and reduced milk production.

How long does ryegrass staggers last?

This fungus grows within the leaves, stems and seeds of perennial ryegrass and produces alkaloids which can have toxic effects on grazing livestock. These toxins accumulate in the plant – peaking in summer/autumn and may remain high in the pasture for five to six months.

Can horses get rye grass staggers?

Ryegrass staggers is a neurological condition that can be seen in most domestic grazing species, including horses. It occurs most commonly in late spring to early autumn and always in animals grazing perennial ryegrass pastures.

What are the symptoms of staggers in horses?

Symptoms – Horses with staggers can show a wide array of symptoms including incoordination, trembling, staggering and may even fall. They can have anxious behaviour, hypersensitivity to sounds and can be easily spooked.

What are three symptoms of parasite infestation in horses?

The signs of parasitism are common among different parasites infecting the horse and include:

• Weight loss.
• Dull, rough hair coat.
• Potbelly.
• Decreased stamina or lethargy.
• Coughing.
• Diarrhea.
• Colic.
• Tail rubbing.

What are 3 signs that might indicate to you that a horse might be suffering from illness?

Signs of poor health and horses

• change in appetite or drinking habits.
• change in droppings or signs of diarrhoea.
• change in demeanour or behaviour.
• change in weight (either increase or decrease)
• change in coat/foot condition.