LadySam
Well-Known Member
AKA hairy cat's ear, flatweed and false dandelion. Has anyone had any nasty experiences of their horses eating this?
Cat's Ear (hypochaeris radicata)
- Thread starter LadySam
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Shay
Well-Known Member
Its known to be poisonous to horses if eaten over a long period. It is a real problem because it is palatable so the horse will actively seek it out and eat it.
The symptoms of poisoning impact the peripheral nervous system. the most common is a stringhalt type gait, but is also shows as lameness, dragging hind limbs, muscle loss and - bizarrely - roaring. The poisoning affects the larynx causing the structures to collapse inward and obstruct breathing.
There are treatments available - but it can take a long period of recovery. The first step is - obviously - to get rid of it!
The symptoms of poisoning impact the peripheral nervous system. the most common is a stringhalt type gait, but is also shows as lameness, dragging hind limbs, muscle loss and - bizarrely - roaring. The poisoning affects the larynx causing the structures to collapse inward and obstruct breathing.
There are treatments available - but it can take a long period of recovery. The first step is - obviously - to get rid of it!
LadySam
Well-Known Member
Thanks. Unfortunately I know all that. My boss just had to have his horse PTS because of it. That's not something that's very common over here though, so I've never come across anyone who's really had to deal with it. I was just wondering if anyone on the forum had.