dangers of feed poor quality forage

[becca114]

One of the elements for bhs stage 1 is: Discuss the dangers of feeding poor quality fodder.

Can anyone give me some examples of illnesses/digestive disorders that may occur as a result of feeding poor quality forage?

 

[merlinsquest]

Starvation (if they dont eat it)

Sorry no answer for you there, but would assume colic and poss botulism.

 

[Smurphy]

breathing problems through eating dusty of mouldy hay, mouldy wet hay can cause a serious illness but cant remeber the name of it

 

[TGM]

Loss of condition due to poor nutrient value/reluctance of the horse to eat it
Respiratory problems (coughing etc) due to dust
Poisoning/liver damage if ragwort/poisonous plants are present

 

[Nickijem]

I fed my horse some old haylage (by mistake!) it was very dry and it made my horse choke - a horrid experience!

 

[brightmount]

Horses will usually ignore ragwort growing in the fields, but apparently if it is cut and dried with hay it becomes palatable to them, along with the resultant liver poisoning.

My hay has recently contained a lot of broken clay pigeons and shot cartridges

I'm sure that can't be good either.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Lack of growth in youngstock, weight loss, lack of fitness for work, irreversible respiratory problems leading to possible euthanasia, expensive veterinary investigations, dullness, lifelessness, behavioural problems, tooth problems, opportunistic infections associated with poor nutirition. Don't even get me started on ragwort!

 

[becca114]

Thank you, there are some good examples there!