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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Ailments/Syndromes > Poisoning/Toxicity


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Watch for Poisonous Weeds in Hay
Most weeds are not palatable and will be avoided by pastured livestock if adequate forage is available. However, in hay, most livestock cannot differentiate weeds from beneficial long-stemmed forage, resulting in accidental ingestion and possibly a loss in performance or death. Three weeds commonly found in the upper Midwest that remain toxic when ... Read full story
 11/19/2009
Polo Horse Drug Testing to Debut Next Year
Random drug tests will begin next year for horses in polo matches in the United States after the deaths of 21 elite horses in Florida that were injected with an incorrectly mixed supplement shortly before a championship match, the United States Polo Association said Wednesday. The decision was made last month to begin a pilot program for testing ... Read full story
 11/4/2009
Sunburn Solutions
Q: My neighbor/best friend has a major problem with sunburn on her Appaloosa mare. She is basically a black mare with spots on her rump, but not on a true blanket, as such, yet her sunburn is really nasty. It is pink and inflamed, and we have not really been able to find anything that would help it. What do you recommend to help it heal? She is now ... Read full story
 11/1/2009
Reward Offered for Information on Oregon Horse Poisoning  *
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing four horses in Lake County, Ore. Between Sept. 20 and 21, four competition Quarter Horses were found dead at the 18000 block of Lake Ridge Road in Lakeview ... Read full story
 10/7/2009
Nitrate Poisoning in Horses  *
Fortunately, nitrate/nitrite poisoning is not a common problem in horses. However, due to serious and potentially fatal consequences of nitrate/nitrite poisoning, horse owners should be aware of the condition and understand the risk factors. Nitrate/nitrite poisoning in animals is caused by ingestion of excessive amounts of nitrate or nitrite from ... Read full story
 10/6/2009
Toxic Ragwort Warning Issued by UK Group   *
Land and horse owners are reminded to be on their guard against deadly ragwort following the inclement weather of July and August, World Horse Welfare noted in a statement Aug. 13. "Ragwort poses a huge risk to horse health and in prolonged periods of wet weather, verges and set-aside often go uncut allowing the weed to grow and spread its seeds," ... Read full story
 8/25/2009
Toxic Mushroom Risk for Horses in Kentucky Pastures Due to Wet Weather  *
At the beginning of August, the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center (LDDC) received several calls regarding the presence of mushrooms in pastures around eastern Kentucky. Callers were concerned about whether it presented a problem for livestock to graze on pastures with mushrooms. "Mushrooms appear to be more prevalent this ... Read full story
 8/8/2009
Horse Dies in Decomposing Seaweed; Toxic Gas Blamed  *
A horse died and its owner fell unconscious within seconds of falling into decomposing green seaweed along the northern coast of Brittany, France, last week, according to several sources. Vincent Petit, DVM, PhD, said he was hand-leading his 15-year-old English Thoroughbred gelding along a beachside road after riding a long stretch of gallop when ... Read full story
 8/6/2009
Poisoned Saddlebred Horses on the Mend  *
An American Saddlebred show horse in critical condition after ingesting unknown quantities of oleander leaves is recovering and will be released from the hospital later this week, according to the veterinarian supervising its treatment. "He's looking brighter and turning the corner," said Steven V. Colburn, DVM, of the Creekside Veterinary Service ... Read full story
 8/5/2009
Poisoned Horses Update; One Still Critical  *
Debbie Tomin, co-owner with her husband, Bill, of Rockridge Farm in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., told TheHorse.com late Sunday morning that "23 horses were fed the poisonous concoction (of apples, carrots, and oleander leaves). "All the ones in the barn and three outside (were fed the dangerous mixture)," she said of the Saddlebreds at their farm. "We ... Read full story
 8/2/2009
California Show Horses Poisoned with Oleander  *
In California, a San Diego County ranch owner says 23 show horses have been poisoned by someone who fed them highly toxic oleander leaves. Debbie Tomin, owner of Rockridge Farm in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., says three horses are seriously ill and are undergoing treatment at an equine hospital. The other horses, including two pregnant mares, are being ... Read full story
 8/2/2009
Snakebite Woes
Q: Have you noticed or had owners comment on the change in a horse's personality after a rattlesnake bite? My mare was bitten on the muzzle six years ago. We almost lost her, but after two days of treatment with various medications she survived. However, her personality seemed to change. She seems less people-friendly and less energetic. And, most ... Read full story
 8/1/2009
Weed of the Month: Poison Hemlock  *
Poison Hemlock Scientific name: Conium maculatum L. Life Cycle: Biennial Origin: Eurasia Poisonous: Yes, extremely Poison hemlock is distributed widely across the United States and grows most frequently along fence borders in shady and moist areas. Seed germination occurs in the fall or early spring, and flowering occurs from May through July, depending ... Read full story
 7/13/2009
Hay Herbicides Not a Risk to Horses, Despite Manure-Fertilized Crop Loss   *
Recent reported crop losses in North Carolina and several other states are linked to certain broad leaf herbicides containing aminopyralid, clopyralid, and picloram, according to researchers. In North Carolina, people with gardens and organic farms who rely on horse manure or compost for fertilizer are noticing that some of their plants are dying. ... Read full story
 7/10/2009
Grazing Horses in Moderately Polluted Areas   *
Horses might serve as good management tools for pastures moderately polluted by trace elements, according to Spanish researchers. And provided the animals receive adequate, systematic monitoring through biological sampling, they can be kept on this land without adverse health consequences. Scientists conducted a study in the Agrio and Guadiamar River ... Read full story
 6/27/2009
TheHorse.com en Español: La Muerte de Caballos Poleros Emprende una Investigación  *
This is one of a series of articles translated as part of our partnership with A Caballo, an equine publication based in Mexico, and Jorge Murga, DVM. Keep an eye on TheHorse.com for more Spanish-language resources coming soon. Read this article in English. Preguntas o comentarios en español puede ser enviado a News@TheHorse.com. Farmacología ... Read full story
 5/14/2009
University of Florida Vet Faculty Work to Solve Polo Pony Mystery  *
Postmortem testing conducted by University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine pathologists and toxicologists on a group of prized polo horses that collapsed and died April 19 in Wellington, Fla., drew international attention, with riveted members of the public and the press wanting answers about the mysterious cause of death. Blood and tissue ... Read full story
 5/5/2009
Pharmacy Releases Statement on Polo Pony Test Results   *
The pharmacy involved in the investigation into the recent death of 21 polo ponies in Wellington, Fla., has released a statement verifying that selenium was the excess ingredient in the medication prepared for the ponies. Florida State Veterinarian Thomas J. Holt, DVM, reported yesterday that the animals had "significantly increased selenium levels" ... Read full story
 4/29/2009
State Vet: Selenium Overdose Likely Cause of Polo Pony Deaths  *
Florida State Veterinarian Thomas J. Holt, DVM, reported today that an overdose of selenium was the probable cause of death of the 21 polo horses that collapsed prior to a competition in Wellington on April 19. In a memorandum to Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson's office, Holt stated that the animals had "significantly ... Read full story
 4/28/2009
Polo Ponies: Pharmacy Says it Erred in Medication Prep  *
An official at a Florida pharmacy said Thursday the business incorrectly prepared a supplement given to 21 polo horses that died over the weekend while preparing to play in a championship match. Jennifer Beckett of Franck's Pharmacy in Ocala, Fla., told The Associated Press in a statement that the business conducted an internal investigation that ... Read full story
 4/23/2009
Pharmacy Releases Statement on Polo Pony Deaths  *
Franck's Pharmacy Chief Operations Officer Jennifer Beckett released the following statement April 23: "On an order from a veterinarian, Franck's Pharmacy prepared medication that was used to treat the 21 horses on the Lechuza Polo team. As soon as we learned of the tragic incident, we conducted an internal investigation that was led by an outside ... Read full story
 4/23/2009
No Clues from Preliminary Results of Pony Necropsies  *
Very preliminary results of necropsies done on horses that collapsed and died at a Palm Beach polo tournament on Sunday have not identified a diagnosis, said Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson on the afternoon of April 21. The necropsies found no remarkable signs that could indicate a specific cause of death. State ... Read full story
 4/22/2009
Florida Agriculture Officials Investigate Polo Pony Deaths   *
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson has launched an investigation into the deaths of 21 horses that collapsed after arriving in Wellington, Fla., for a polo match. Fourteen horses died by Sunday evening and an additional seven died overnight. Because of the very rapid onset of sickness and death, state officials ... Read full story
 4/21/2009
Lechuza Polo Team Releases Statement on Pony Deaths   *
The Lechuza Polo Team released the following statement April 20: "This is tragic news. We are deeply concerned about the death of our ponies. For the last three decades, Lechuza Polo has participated in Polo Championships and tournaments all around the globe. In that time, we have never encountered such a dire situation like this as our horses receive ... Read full story
 4/21/2009
Vet: Tests on Polo Ponies Could Take Weeks   *
It could be weeks before the results of toxicology tests on the 21 polo ponies that died in Wellington, Fla., on Sunday just prior to competing at the U.S. Open Championship are known, according to Mike Short, DVM, equine programs manager for Florida's Division of Animal Industry. The Division of Animal Industry, headed up by the state veterinarian, ... Read full story
 4/21/2009
Vets Investigate Wellington Polo Pony Deaths  *
The sudden death of 21 polo horses in Florida may have been caused by a toxin that has yet to be identified by tests and could have been in the animals' feed, vitamins, or supplements, veterinarians said Monday. The horses from the Venezuelan-owned team Lechuza Caracas became sick just before a tournament Sunday, collapsing and dying on the scene ... Read full story
 4/20/2009
Polo Association Releases Statement on Pony Deaths   *
The United States Polo Association has released the following statement: "The United States Polo Association is participating in an investigation to determine the cause of death of over 20 polo ponies that died prior to a polo match on Sunday, April 19 at the International Polo Club-Palm Beach, located in Wellington, Florida. "The cause of death ... Read full story
 4/20/2009
Michigan Extension Offers New Toxic Plant Bulletins   *
Horse owners do what they can to make sure their charges get healthy feed. But how do they know that the plants growing in their pastures are safe for equine consumption, and how do they grow good forage? Find out which plants can threaten horse health and which make good hay from several new Michigan State University (MSU) Extension publications. ... Read full story
 4/15/2009
AAEP 2008: Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning   *
Aluminum phosphide is an indoor fumigant used to kill insects in most, if not all, of the stored grains we and our horses are exposed to. Like most pesticides, it can cause major problems in unintended species when used incorrectly. At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., a report of ... Read full story
 3/6/2009
AAEP 2008: Ivermectin Toxicosis   *
Ivermectin has become one of the most widely used deworming medications worldwide since its introduction 25 years ago. It's usually considered to have a large margin of safety, but it can be highly toxic in rare circumstances, with one possibly being when a horse eats silver nightshade and is dewormed with ivermectin around the same time. Tamara Swor, ... Read full story
 2/27/2009
Fifth North Carolina Horse Dies of Unknown Toxin   *
A mystery toxin killed a fifth horse in western North Carolina in November. Veterinarians now suspect this case might be due to the same substance that caused the death of four other horses earlier that month. The fifth horse was found dead in its pasture by the owners. Veterinarians determined via a Nov. 25 necropsy that the horse died of atypical ... Read full story
 1/5/2009
North Carolina Horse Toxicity Investigation Continues  *
Veterinarians are still searching for what caused the deaths of four horses in Fairview, N.C., earlier this month. An analysis of the animals' feed failed to reveal the presence of a specific ionophore (antimicrobial compound) called monensin, which investigators believed could have poisoned the horses. Monensin is an additive found in cattle feed ... Read full story
 11/17/2008
Beyond the Feed Tag: Horse Feed Ingredients, Quality and Safety Issues  *
The tag on every animal feed product is labeled with information required by the FDA, with ingredients listed in descending order of predominance--from most to least inclusion. "However, this is not always enforced and there is no guarantee that listing of ingredients reflects the inclusion rate of the finished product," said Randel Raub, PhD, director ... Read full story
 11/16/2008
Toxin Suspected in North Carolina Horse Deaths  *
Veterinarians are trying to determine the cause of an illness that has killed four horses in Fairview, N.C., since last Thursday. Affected horses show a rapid deterioration in muscle condition. Other clinical signs include lethargy, shaking, dark urine, sweating, and stiff muscles. The last horse died on Monday. The four horses lived on two separate ... Read full story
 11/13/2008
100 Horses Dead at Embryo Transfer Farm; Botulism Suspected  *
Around 100 horses have died at EquiTransfer, a Marion County, Fla., embryo transfer farm. Veterinary officials say that botulism from haylage might be to blame. EquiTransfer is owned by veterinarians Jose Dávila, DVM, and his wife, Francis Ramirez, DVM. Neither were available for comment. Mike Short, DVM, equine programs manager for Florida's Division ... Read full story
 10/10/2008
Poisonous Plant Risk Increases as Pasture Grass Goes Dormant   *
As autumn rolls around, pastures become depleted as grasses and other plants slow their growth prior to going dormant for winter. So, it's not surprising that this time of year can also bring an increase in reports of horses becoming ill from eating something they shouldn't have. Karyn Bischoff, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVT, a diagnostic toxicologist at Cornell ... Read full story
 10/10/2008
Poisoning in Horses: Common Toxic Substances  *
Poisoning in horses is not a common occurrence, but when poisoning occurs, effects can be disastrous and far-reaching. Listing all toxic substances is impossible, as virtually everything on the planet can be toxic at sufficiently high dosages. What dose is safe and what dose is toxic varies with each toxin, each animal, and each situation. Factors ... Read full story
 10/1/2008
Minnesota Horse Owners Warned of Toxic Plant Issue   *
Due to last year's drought and recent dry conditions in parts of Minnesota, the state's Extension service is again warning horse owners that hoary alyssum could become a problem for their animals. Hoary alyssum is a perennial weed common throughout Minnesota, the surrounding states, and Canada. It is particularly adapted to dry conditions and sandy ... Read full story
 8/25/2008
New Report on Water Quality and Livestock Health  *
The University of Wyoming's College of Agriculture, in collaboration with two state agencies, has published a report on water quality as it pertains to the health of livestock and wildlife. "The target audience is anyone with an interest in water quality as it relates to animal health, including veterinarians, livestock producers, wildlife managers, ... Read full story
 8/14/2008
Report: Natural Nitrate Levels Caused Wild Horse Deaths  *
Federal officials probing the deaths of 71 wild horses on a military site ruled out high levels of nitrate in a pond, saying such rates occurred naturally. Testing of a watering hole showed that the nitrate levels came from a combination of animal waste, natural soil nitrogen and concentration from evaporation, said Kirsten Cannon of the Bureau of ... Read full story
 7/22/2008
Horse Owners Cautioned about Hardy Toxic Plant  *
With cases reported already this year, horse owners are being cautioned about a toxic plant that flourishes during drought and in overgrazed conditions. Hoary alyssum is found across the northeastern and north central United States and Canada. A member of the mustard family, it produces small white flowers and can grow up to 3 feet tall. Grayish ... Read full story
 7/17/2008
Hazards Could be Hidden in Hay  *
Just 24 hours after Betsy Bueno of Santa Rosa, Calif., began feeding her horses a new batch of hay, one colicked and began to show neurologic signs. Within days, two of her 12 horses required euthanasia and seven were showing similar clinical signs. "I thought they had gotten some poisonous hemlock outside," Bueno said. But her veterinarian asked ... Read full story
 7/16/2008
Recommendations on Rattlesnake Bite Management   *
The United States is home to 26 species of rattlesnakes, making rattlesnake bites relatively common events in equine medicine. A talk entitled, "Just another Snake Bite? Pathophysiology, Treatment, & Long-Term Effects," was included at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June 4-7. According to Lyndi Gilliam, ... Read full story
 7/6/2008
Scientists: Arsenic Killed Phar Lap  *
Forensic scientists say champion Australian gelding Phar Lap died of arsenic poisoning, solving a mystery that has intrigued the horse racing world for more than 75 years. Phar Lap won 37 of his 51 starts before his death in mysterious circumstances at Menlo Park in California in April 1932. Days before his death, he won Mexico's Agua Caliente Handicap, ... Read full story
 6/20/2008
New Study Identifies Risk Factors for Atypical Myopathy  *
Aggressive research efforts by Belgian veterinarians have culminated in the identification of numerous indicators or factors--including horse management and pasture characteristics--associated with atypical myopathy, a rapidly developing and fatal disease that destroys skeletal muscles. "Atypical myopathy is sporadically seen in grazing horses in ... Read full story
 6/7/2008
Purina Recalling Horse Feed in Eastern States  *
Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC has implemented a voluntary recall of some horse feed due to a possible excess of aflatoxin. According to a statement released by the company, no confirmed animal health complaints attributable to aflatoxins have been reported. Aflatoxins are a potent form of mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites of molds. Read ... Read full story
 5/5/2008
Horse Feed Recall Affects East Coast  *
Horse feed dealers are the key to identifying if there's a potential problem with recently purchased Purina feed, according to Land O'Lakes spokesperson Lydia Botham. Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC recently announced a recall of certain horse feed products manufactured at three East Coast facilities. The products might contain an ingredient with an ... Read full story
 5/5/2008
Investigating Horse Poisoning   *
When an owner suspects that a horse might have eaten something poisonous, the veterinarian is generally the first person he or she calls. In addition to treating any health problems, that veterinarian is uniquely suited to investigate the cause of the problem as well, said Bob Wright, BSc (Agr), DVM, of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and ... Read full story
 4/13/2008
75 Horses Affected by Neurologic Disorder; Mycotoxins Suspected  *
Toxic food sources are one likely explanation for recurrent cases of hind limb polyneuropathy in horses throughout Norway, according to research published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in February. Seventy-five horses located on 27 different premises throughout the country were evaluated between 1995 and 2004 for hind leg weakness, ... Read full story
 3/6/2008
Toxic Plants: New Extension Service Book Provides Guide for Horse Owners   *
To help horse owners identify and control poisonous weeds and plants and understand treatment recommendations for their horses, University of Minnesota Extension recently released a book titled Plants Poisonous or Harmful to Horses in the North Central United States. This 44-page book presents research-based information on 18 plants or groups of ... Read full story
 12/27/2007
Four Horses Die after Feed Mixing Error  *
A horse and three ponies have died, and several other equids have been temporarily paralyzed, following the ingestion of contaminated feed in French Guiana (a department of France located on the northern edge of South America), according to the departmental director of veterinary services in Cayenne. Arnaud Martrenchar, DVM, PhD, said that animals ... Read full story
 12/3/2007
Imported Hay Could Hold Hidden Health Dangers   *
As if hay scarcity and high prices aren’t enough, experts are warning horse owners that imported hay could also hide horse health dangers including seriously low amounts of essential vitamins such as A and E, excessive amounts of selenium, and even life-threatening insect infestations. "It all depends upon where the hay is coming from," said Peggy ... Read full story
 9/23/2007
Unacceptably High Fungal Levels Identified in Horse Feeds   *
High levels of fungal species and mycotoxins (the toxins produced by some fungi) have been identified in equine feeds. This contamination can result in nutrient losses from the food, and it can negatively impact the health and productivity of horses. In a study done in 2007 in the journal Veterinary Research Communications by Brazilian researchers ... Read full story
 9/8/2007
Toxic Weed Hoary Alyssum Found in Drought-Affected Pastures   *
The 2007 growing season's drought conditions are causing challenges for anyone who handles plants or animals. Horse owners are no exception, and to a list of concerns including a shortage of hay and lack of pasture growth they need to add awareness of hoary alyssum, a weed that is poisonous to horses. Hoary alyssum is found across the northeastern ... Read full story
 8/24/2007
Farm Worker Settles in Horse Poisoning Accusation Case  *
A woman who worked at an equestrian facility in College Station, Texas, where 27 horses died last year settled a lawsuit she filed against the stable's owner, who had accused her of poisoning the animals. Marina Salazar, who worked at Carousel Acres Equestrian Center for eight years, accepted an undisclosed payment and a public apology from her former ... Read full story
 7/8/2007
Possible Toxicity: Georgia Horses Sickened by Michigan Hay  *
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin has alerted horse owners to a problem with some alfalfa hay from Michigan and the upper Midwest. The hay is believed to contain hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana), a weed that is toxic to horses. "We have a report of 25 horses sickened from eating alfalfa hay from Michigan that contained this plant," Irvin ... Read full story
 7/2/2007
Toxicity of Equisetum to Horses  *
Present and persistent since the Paleozoic era (250 to 540 million years ago), the plants of the genus Equisetum, commonly known as horsetail, are considered to be living fossils. These widespread, perennial, fern-like plants are found in most temperate areas of the world. They can have detrimental effects on horses if consumed in large quantities ... Read full story
 6/9/2007
Manna Pro: Milk Replacer Recall Not Linked to Melamine Contamination   *
The recall of a batch of milk replacer commonly used for foals is not related to the widespread pet food recalls, according to a report released by the company. A batch of Unimilk milk replacer was withdrawn after customers reported that the formula turned light gray, rather than white, when mixed with water. Manufacturer Manna Pro worked with retailers ... Read full story
 5/7/2007
Blister Beetles in Hay: Shop Smart to Reduce the Risk  *
Alfalfa hay is an excellent, high quality forage for horses, but it has the potential to attract blister beetles--toxic insects that can kill horses if ingested. Blister beetles cause inflammation and blistering of the skin within hours of contact. If ingested, cantharidin, a toxic substance in the beetle, is absorbed and rapidly excreted in the ... Read full story
 4/12/2007
Seasonal Tying-Up: Toxins or Deficiency?  *
In Minnesota, cases of pasture myopathy (muslce disease caused by pasture) associated with severe non-exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis (also know as tying-up) are often attributed to the toxins found in white snakeroot. However, researchers at the University of Minnesota said factors other than white snakeroot could be causing the syndrome. "In Europe, ... Read full story
 12/2/2006
FDA Warns Horse Owners and Veterinarians About Deaths Due to Unapproved Clenbuterol   *
The FDA has become aware of the deaths of several horses in the State of Louisiana associated with the use of a product labeled as "Clenbuterol HCL." Horse owners and veterinarians should be aware that there are no generic clenbuterol-containing products approved for animals. There is one clenbuterol containing product approved as safe and effective ... Read full story
 11/27/2006
Concentrated Counterfeit Clenbuterol Having Deadly Effect   *
Veterinarians at Louisiana State University have confirmed that two horses being treated at their veterinary teaching hospital died after ingesting concentrated clenbuterol. Tests on the drug have revealed that the solution contains 70 times the amount of clenbuterol as the FDA-approved formula. The Louisiana State Veterinarian's office and the FDA ... Read full story
 11/22/2006
Owner of Texas Boarding Stable Suspects Intentional Poisoning of 27 Horses  *
The owner of Carousel Acres, the College Station, Texas, boarding facility where 27 horses died the week of July 16, says he now believes the horses were poisoned intentionally, according to The Eagle Land and Livestock Post. The horses died after ingesting aluminum phosphine, the toxin used in a pesticide fumigant the farm owner had applied to the ... Read full story
 9/21/2006
Damage From Within  *
Molds are one-celled fungi that facilitate the breakdown and decay of plant materials. Mycotoxins are "sporadically produced secondary metabolites of molds," according to Equine Clinical Nutrition by Lon D. Lewis, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Antibiotics (such as penicillin) are types of useful mycotoxins, which at therapeutic levels are more toxic to bacteria ... Read full story
 9/1/2006
Accidental Poisoning Kills 27 Horses at Texas Boarding Barn  *
Twenty-seven horses died the week of July 16 from apparent accidental poisoning at a boarding farm in College Station, Texas. Researchers at nearby Texas A&M University (TAMU) suspect a pesticide fumigant used in a feed silo nearby was responsible for the deaths. However, the reason for the extreme reaction to the chemical is still unknown. "We ... Read full story
 9/1/2006
Purina Releases Statement Regarding Texan Toxicity Incident   *
Press release from Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC: The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine has advised Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC that it has completed its investigation of the Brazos County, Texas, horse mortality incident. Their initial diagnosis of phosphine poisoning resulting from the reported on-farm pesticide application remains the ... Read full story
 8/17/2006
Texas Department of Agriculture Investigating Toxicity Deaths  *
The Texas Department of Agriculture is investigating the manner of pesticide application that led to the deaths of 27 horses at a boarding facility in College Station, Texas. Veterinarians at Texas A&M University (TAMU) determined late last week that phosphine gas, a byproduct of aluminum phosphide fumigation tablets used to kill weevils in ... Read full story
 7/25/2006
Texas A&M: Horse Mortality Incident Traced to Pesticide  *
Testing at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory has yielded evidence that the toxic principal responsible for the recent deaths of more than two dozen horses at Carousel Acres Equine Center in Brazos County, Texas, was in all likelihood phosphine gas. Phosphine ... Read full story
 7/21/2006
Exact Cause of Toxicity Deaths Still Unknown  *
Researchers at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in College Station, Texas, say they strongly suspect that the pesticide used on feed at nearby Carousel Acres was directly involved in the death of 27 horses. However, the reason for the extreme reaction to the chemical that the farm had used before is still unknown. "We did identify phosphine in the ... Read full story
 7/21/2006
Veterinarians Investigate Toxicity Deaths  *
Twenty-seven horses have died in what appears to be an accidental poisoning at a Brazos County, Texas boarding barn, reports The Bryan-College Station Eagle, a local newspaper. Preliminary reports suggest that the horses' feed might have been contaminated with a highly toxic substance. Necropsies are being performed on the dead, while 18 others exhibiting ... Read full story
 7/20/2006
Nightshade and Ivermectin: A Deadly Mixture   *
Editor's note: When researching the unknown illness story on this page, the following study on ivermectin's interaction with a noxious weed was discovered. Nightshade and other poisonous plants should be eliminated from pastures. Texas A&M University (TAMU) researchers published a study in 1998 describing the deadly combination of Silverleaf ... Read full story
 5/1/2006
Four Horses Dead, One Ill; Dewormer Questioned   *
Four horses on a South Texas farm died from unknown causes in February; one horse is recovering. The horses' owner suspects the problems might have been caused by a dewormer; she has necropsy and other test results, but she has not released them. The dewormer's manufacturer found nothing unusual about the product lot in question, and it has notified ... Read full story
 5/1/2006
What Was Causing Foal Abnormalities?
I have bred and raised 142 Morgan foals since 1976. During that time, we've had eight foals born with a very similar set of problems--contracted front tendons, an underbite, lethargy, hypothyroidism, and/or mental deficiency. We tried bottle feeding, making a sling to hold them up to nurse, and putting plaster of Paris casts on their front legs, but ... Read full story
 5/1/2006
Bute: How Much is Too Much?   *
Phenylbutazone (PBZ), commonly known as Bute, can be the horse owner's (and horse's) best friend. This popular and economical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) blocks pain, reduces swelling and inflammation, and lowers fever, making it an effective choice for treating injuries, infections, and musculoskeletal disorders such as laminitis, navicular ... Read full story
 1/1/2006
Tennessee Feed Recalled  *
Tennessee Farmers Cooperative officials voluntarily recalled four lots of horse feed in early and mid-November after a horse's death was linked to the feed, which contained high levels of a livestock drug. The 10% Grain Mix (item #93638) was contaminated with rumensin (monensin sodium), a common cattle drug. John Niver, nutritionist at the Co-op, ... Read full story
 11/18/2005
Clover Photosensitivity  *
A rainy, cool summer in Manitoba, Canada, was turning to fall when Thunder, a 2-year-old Paint/Arab cross gelding with lots of white across his body, began to show signs of colic. He was treated for colic four times in two days. Annette Fleming, DVM, a veterinarian at Oakbank Birds Hill Animal Hospital in Manitoba, diagnosed a high impaction and made ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Black Walnut Tree Shavings as Trail Mulch?
Q: This summer we are planning to start making riding trails on our heavily wooded property. As we cut down the branches and trees, we plan to chip the wood to mulch the trails. However, we have a good number of black walnut trees, and I am wondering if the wood chips pose a health risk to our horses. Ann A: Black walnut shavings and wood chips ... Read full story
 4/1/2005
Adverse Effects Associated With Systemic NSAIDs   *
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) drugs are an important component of therapy for equine pain, but according to researchers at North Carolina State University's (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, overuse and misuse of NSAIDs can result in gastrointestinal injury, kidney damage, and even death in horses. Because NSAIDs such as Bute, ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Is Millet a Problem in the Pasture?
I am considering moving my two mares to 10 acres of land that had been planted with millet feed last spring. Because of the lack of moisture, the millet only grew to be about five inches high, then dried out and died. I am going to wait and see what comes up in the 10 acres this spring, but I'm wondering if it would be bad for my horses to graze on ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
Aspects of Care in Various Seasons: Fall  *
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Chapter 7 of Care & Management of Horses by Heather Smith Thomas. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Fall Care Rainrot Rainrot (rain scald) is a skin problem that often appears during wet weather. Typical signs include very sensitive skin, clumps of hair coming off, and raw spots or crusty ... Read full story
 9/28/2004
Good/Bad Effects of Antioxidants
In a society that is trying to slow the aging process, free radicals and antioxidants are terms that are regularly tossed around. One might not realize their importance in horses, but researchers continue to pursue the details of how and why the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium are so crucial to horses. Oxidation is a metabolic process that transforms ... Read full story
 7/1/2004
Can Horses React to Poison Ivy and Poison Oak?
Q: There is quite a bit of poison oak and poison ivy on the acreage where I keep my horses. I have recently added a 2-year-old Thoroughbred mix, and she immediately broke out on her legs and muzzle with small rash-like, raised bumps that remind me of my allergic reactions to poison oak. I am trying to isolate her from it, but it is difficult, as it ... Read full story
 7/1/2004
21 Kentucky Horses Lost In Flooding  *
One farm in Stanton, Ky., on the Red River lost 15 babies, five broodmares, and a stallion to flooding on Sunday, May 30. Heavy rains that day rapidly forced waters higher in the already swollen river, and within three hours the river had covered horse pastures with up to six feet of water. H.T. Derickson III said they began trying to evacuate horses ... Read full story
 6/9/2004
Mangoes Toxic to Horses?
In our horse paddock there are four mango trees. Our horses often eat the mangoes that fall off the tree. We were wondering if it is possible for our horses to get sick from eating too many mangoes. Katie Mango (Mangifera indica) has not been reported to be toxic to horses. The skin of the fruit, leaves, and bark does contain some ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Are Grass Clippings Toxic to Horses?
Q: A friend swears that I put my horses at serious risk of "grass tetanus" by mowing my pasture with a rotary finish mower. He says that all of the short pieces produced by small, high-speed equipment expose so much of the grass juices that horses can get very sick. Is this true? Peter A: It's usually not recommended that horses be fed grass ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Million Dollar Jury Award in Equitrol Lawsuit; Farnam Plans Appeal  *
(Updated Story) A jury awarded $1,007,500 to plaintiffs who alleged in a lawsuit that Farnam's Equitrol, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed and caused harm to their Thoroughbred and Warmblood sport horses. Farnam countered with a press release stating that it is appealing the decision and believes that the court decision is ... Read full story
 4/14/2004
Equitrol Lawsuit  *
A jury has returned a verdict of $1,007,500 to plaintiffs alleging in a lawsuit that Farnam's product Equitrol, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed and caused harm to their horses; Farnam has countered with a press release stating that it is appealing the decision and believes that the court decision is incorrect on legal and ... Read full story
 4/7/2004
Alsike Clover Poisoning
Q: I'd like to see more information on alsike clover sensitivity, especially in horses with large areas of white skin such as Paints, pintos, and Appaloosas. All the information I can find suggests that the only problem you will encounter is a severe sunburn on the white areas with sloughing of the damaged skin. My Paint horse's first signs were ... Read full story
 4/1/2004
Kentucky Pasture Monitoring Programs  *
Comparing pasture samples from 2002 and 2003 didn't associate mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) with anything other than the Eastern tent caterpillar. However, Wayne Long, MS, of the University of Kentucky's (UK) Department of Agronomy, provided some insight on pasture management in Central Kentucky and stressed the dangers of tall fescue toxicosis. ... Read full story
 1/22/2004
Problems for Horse Owners Caused by This Summer's Wet Weather  *
From Penn State University's Dairy & Animal Science News The wet weather this summer has not only increased the price of quality hay, but creates the right conditions for increased mold, fungi and mycotoxins in hay and grains. The cool, wet growing season has delayed the harvest of hay and grains and has also set up the right conditions for mold ... Read full story
 10/14/2003
Blister Beetle Poisoning in Florida   *
At press time, three horses had died of blister beetle poisoning in Clay County, Fla., and two others returned home following treatment at the University of Florida after eating alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles. The hay was delivered from a supplier in Oklahoma. Marginned blister beetle Courtesy Dr. Ric Bessin Blister beetles, ... Read full story
 9/1/2003
Blister Beetles Kill Horses  *
Three horses recently died of blister beetle poisoning in Clay County, Fla., and two have returned after treatment at the University of Florida following ingestion of alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles. The hay was delivered from a supplier in Oklahoma. Blister beetles, any of six species of the genus Epicauta, can inhabit alfalfa and clover ... Read full story
 8/5/2003
The Mycotoxin Problem  *
There can be a number of reasons why a horse might have performance problems. A diagnosis can be frustrating, but one reason that might be overlooked is mycotoxicosis. It wasn’t until recently that the significance of mycotoxins was realized, said Thomas Buckley, MS, head of microbiology at the Irish Equine Centre. Buckley presented “Coping With Mycotoxin ... Read full story
 6/25/2003
Alltech Symposium Serves International Audience  *
Attended by delegates from more than 60 countries, Alltech’s International Feed Industry Symposium provided an abundance of information for those involved with horses, poultry, pigs, dairy and beef cattle, agronomy, aquaculture, and companion animals. Each year, the meeting provides a forum for researchers and international industry leaders to gather, ... Read full story
 6/3/2003
Pasture Management and MRLS  *
In the spring of 2001, hundreds of mares in Central Kentucky lost their pregnancies in peculiar abortions attributed to mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS). Since then, horse farm managers have gone back to square one in reviewing their pasture management practices. One certain result is they have developed a greater awareness of what’s lurking ... Read full story
 4/7/2003
Guinea Grass Toxicity
I have a 12-year-old gelding that can't eat guinea grass (Panicum maximum), not even for three days, because it causes the hair around his face, neck, and belly to fall out in patches. As soon as he stops eating it, his hair grows back within a week or two; by four weeks you wouldn't even know he had lost his hair. He is otherwise healthy, and it doesn't ... Read full story
 11/1/2002
Cardiovascular Changes With Moldy Corn Poisoning   *
Fumonisins are toxic byproducts of the fungus Fusarium verticilloides, which often grows on corn. These mycotoxins can cause leukoencephalomalacia (moldy corn poisoning) in horses, and are undetectable to the naked eye. Horses exposed to only 0.2 mg fumonisin/kg body weight for several days can develop non-specific neurological signs including changes ... Read full story
 10/1/2002
Malicious Mycotoxins  *
Leave your saddle sitting in a corner of your tack room after you and your horse are caught in a rainstorm, and you'll get an eye-opening look into the world of fungi and molds. Within days, your leather tack will have sprouted a patchy coat of green and white fur created by spores from the air and the surrounding environment migrating onto the wet, ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
Skunk Cabbage Toxic to Horses?
Recently our horses have begun eating skunk cabbage that grows on the property. They have not done so before. They have plenty of grass plus hay and grain, all of which they also eat. One veterinarian says it is harmful to them; another says it's OK but that it has no nutritional value. I am concerned and am wondering if you have any information about ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
Poison Control: Spraying Insecticides on Pastures   *
During the optimal Eastern tent caterpillar (ETC) eradication period (when larvae are still in trees), Lee Townsend, PhD, extension entomologist at the University of Kentucky (UK), recommended a list of insecticides for horse owners and farm managers to use to keep ETC off their pastures. The talk about insecticides had some individuals asking which ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
FDA Orders Recall of Mercury-Containing Drug  *
The government has ordered a nationwide recall of a horse drug sold over the Internet called Miracle Leg Paint, because it contains mercury that is poisonous both to horses and to people, according to an Associated Press report. Horse owners who have purchased the product should not use it. Instead, they should contact local waste-management authorities ... Read full story
 6/3/2002
Mesquite Tree Beans Toxic?
My horse recently had a horrible colic episode due to mesquite tree beans. Every summer these trees produce large bean pods, which evidently taste like candy to horses. According to my vet, they also slow down gut motility--hence the colic. I have lived in Texas with horses and mesquite trees all of my life, and I have never before heard of a horse ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Which Trees are Toxic?  *
It's hard to imagine that a natural part of our environment could possibly be harmful to our horses. However, many plants are not only poisonous, but potentially deadly to horses. Many plants and trees have strong medicinal qualities; early medicines to treat numerous medical conditions--from lowering a fever to stimulating a strong heartbeat--were ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
When Your Horse Thinks He's a Termite...
Q: Is chewing pressure-treated wood (the green-tinged wood) dangerous for horses? Catherine Q: Our horses have started eating our fences and tree bark quite frequently this year. They run on pasture, get 10% sweet feed once a day, and have salt blocks all over the pasture. Are they missing a supplement or vitamin? Sherrie A: Wood chewing ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
Fescue Toxicosis  *
Mares grazing on tall fescue pastures infected with a toxin have increased gestation lengths, mare and foal deaths, agalactia (absent milk secretion after birth), retained placentas, premature separation of the placenta at birth, and increased placental weights and thickness. The endophytic fungus, called Acremonium coenophialum, lives on the grass ... Read full story
 10/9/2001
Amazing Minerals  *
Of all the ingredients of a horse's diet, minerals are unique. They contain no carbon, which makes them inorganic molecules. In fact, essentially, they’re rocks--and it can be difficult to imagine their being digested by a horse. But minerals are an essential part of the diet, despite the fact that, like vitamins, they contribute no energy whatsoever. ... Read full story
 10/4/2001
Soil and Water Testing  *
As you push your shopping cart down the aisle at the supermarket, it's likely become routine for you to do a quick scan of the nutritional analysis printed on the side of every cereal box and container of yogurt you select. Instantly, you know how much crude protein the product contains, how much fat, how many micrograms of manganese. The same is ... Read full story
 10/2/2001
What's in Your Feed? (Contamination)  *
"Yuck!" you hear your friend exclaim from the feed room as you move down the barn aisle one evening, doling out flakes of hay. "What is it?" you call over your shoulder. "There are huge lumps of molasses in this bag of feed!" she replies, chucking one out into the aisle for emphasis. Arms now empty of hay, you scoop up the offending object. It ... Read full story
 9/1/2001
Poisonous Plants  *
At a training barn in Washington, two prized half-Arabian horses munched on wood chip bedding that had been delivered to the facility. Moments later, both were dead. Among the chips lay a branch of yew, a type of evergreen that can be fatal to horses. Every year, untold numbers of horses eat toxic plants, shrubs, and trees, sometimes with dire consequences. ... Read full story
 5/1/2001
How Much Bute Is Too Much?
My veterinarian recently prescribed "Bute" when my gelding came up sore after an endurance ride. He advised a specific dosage, but I wonder if I could be helping my horse more by increasing the amount of Bute or giving it to him more often. Can I give him more without making him sick? Phenylbutazone, or "Bute" as it commonly is known, is a potent ... Read full story
 7/1/2000
Seizures
I’m interested in purchasing a horse which has a history of seizures. What could they be caused by, are there different forms, and is there anything I can do to prevent them from happening again? First of all, you would need a veterinarian’s assessment of the horse and the predisposition to seizures. The history of the individual horse is extremely ... Read full story
 11/1/1999
Just Ruminating  *
Ever had your feed store deliver a bag of cattle feed to your farm by mistake? If you opened that bag, you probably noticed, on first inspection, that the mix inside looked a whole lot like the sweet feed you thought you’d ordered. Corn, barley, oats, molasses—all the basic ingredients are the same, and even the protein level might not differ that ... Read full story
 9/1/1999
Clemson University Discovery Could Be Used For Fescue Toxicosis  *
A medication used to treat nausea is now helping horse breeders produce healthier mares and foals and may someday help address problems of infertility in humans. Dee L. Cross, a Clemson University animal scientist, hypothesized that the medication, now patented as Equidone, could be useful in treating a condition called fescue toxicosis in pregnant ... Read full story
 7/30/1999
New Hay And Fescue Education Brochures Available To Horse Owners  *
Ensuring your horse is consuming essential nutrients -- and staying away from grasses that look nutritious but can pose a health risk -- are the topics of two new client-education brochures published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in conjunction with educational partners Purina Mills, Inc. and Bayer Corporation, Animal Health. "Hay ... Read full story
 7/9/1999
British Horse Society Warns Of Dangers Of Ragwort In Hay  *
The British Horse Society has issued a warning to all horse owners to beware of ragwort in hay. With a high prevalence of ragwort last summer, it is virtually impossible to guarantee that hay is completely ragwort free, in fact the BHS received many reports of fields absolutely full of ragwort being cropped for hay. The presence of ragwort in hay is ... Read full story
 7/2/1999
Corn Spills The Beans   *
"Interrogate" corn kernels under strobe lights and they may admit aloud that they're harboring a toxin-producing fungus. Nowadays, Agricultural Research Service scientists with specially programmed computers find such confessions ring true with 96 percent accuracy. At grain elevators, inspectors routinely check corn for the fungus Aspergillus flavus. ... Read full story
 4/24/1999
Book On Over 10,000 Plants Released  *
A new book covering 10,000 of the world's economically important plants greatly expands upon an out-of-date, out-of-print reference long popular with botanists, other scientists, teachers, and others. The new 784-page volume is World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference. It stems from Agricultural Handbook 505, published in 1977 by the U.S. Department ... Read full story
 4/16/1999
USDA Researchers Create Highly Aflatoxin-Resistant Corn   *
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced a new corn line developed by USDA scientists that outshines all previous corn lines in its ability to naturally fend off aflatoxin, a fungal toxin that poses a threat to humans and livestock. The corn line has been released to seed companies and public research institutions for breeding ... Read full story
 3/26/1999
New Hair Analysis Helps Diagnose Toxic Element Poisoning   *
A leading diagnostic lab has produced a new test to help veterinarians diagnose the hidden cause of some of the most common, yet deceptive, cases in veterinary medicine: toxic element accumulation. Great Smokies VetScience, a division of Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory, a worldwide leader in functional testing, has just made available the Elemental ... Read full story
 3/5/1999
Panic Or Procrastinate? What To Do if Your Horse Has Eaten a Poisonous Plant  *
You provide plenty of good quality feed, water, and turnout--do you still have to worry about your horse's getting sick from eating a poisonous plant? While common sense and good horse management are your horse's best protection, toxicology, like most other life sciences, has many unanswered questions. But by taking advantage of what is known, you ... Read full story
 9/1/1998
Rx: Responsible Drug Use  *
Tranquilizers can calm a nervous, first-time dam and allow her to accept her foal; anti-inflammatory drugs may allow a mildly arthritic horse to continue safely in a handicapped riding program; antibiotics can be life--and career--saving to a racehorse with pneumonia. At some time, medications could be an important part of the equation in your horse's ... Read full story
 8/1/1998
Hidden Dangers: Endophyte-Infested Fescue  *
When it first arrived on the scene in the United States during the early 1940s, tall fescue was considered a wonder grass. It was easy to establish, it was a good forage yielder, and it was tolerant of a wide range of management regimens. In short, it was a very tough grass that could stand heavy grazing and a high rate of animal foot traffic under ... Read full story
 3/1/1997




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