What Causes Grass Staggers In Horses?

Grass staggers occur due to magnesium deficiency when the intake of magnesium is exceeded by its output. It is common in spring due to an increased requirement of magnesium for lactation and the decreased magnesium content of lush green pasture.

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.

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.

What causes ryegrass?

Most established perennial ryegrass plants are infected with a native endophyte fungus known as Neotyphodium lolii. This fungus grows within the leaves, stems and seeds of perennial ryegrass and produces alkaloids which can have toxic effects on grazing livestock.

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 staggers in horses?

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.

What are signs of neurological problems in horses?

Lack of coordination, weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs, muscle twitching, impaired vision, head pressing, aimless wandering, convulsions, circling and coma are some of the severe neurologic effects. Horses typically have non-neurologic signs, too, such loss of appetite and a depressed attitude.

How do you treat ryegrass stagger in horses?

Prevention and Treatment
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 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 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.

How do you know if your horse is lacking in magnesium?

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.

How do you tell if a horse is a wobbler?

A horse with wobblers may stumble, wear his toes abnormally, over-reach and clip the heels of the forelimbs, ‘bunny hop’ when cantering, or show excessive knuckling of hind legs. Most horses with this condition show more pronounced signs in the hindlimbs.

How do I get rid of rye grass in my lawn?

If clumps are particularly large then use glyphosate to kill it. After a couple of weeks thoroughly rake to remove the dead grass and then re-seed. To ensure the repair merges well with your existing grass, rake some good grass well outside the patch area and over seed this and the patch.

How do I get rid of ryegrass?

Glyphosate is the most common herbicide used to control annual ryegrass. It’s very important to use a rate that is adequate. The minimum rate of glyphosate recommended for annual ryegrass is 1.25-1.50 lb a.e./acre with ammonium sulfate and surfactant in late March to early April. Use 1.75 lb a.e./acre if needed.

Will rye grass spread on its own?

Perennial ryegrass does not spread naturally because it does not produce rhizomes or stolons. To plant an area of your lawn with perennial ryegrass, you’ll have to seed or lay sod on the entire area.

How do I control ryegrass in my lawn?

Once spring comes and the weather begins to warm up, rye grass must be transitioned out (killed) to allow your existing grass to be dominant. To transition rye grass out, you need to use a herbicide like Monument or Duke. As these are primarily commercial herbicides, they can expensive and difficult to apply correctly.