Farmers Lung

[cobblers]

Hi. Just a quick question, if anyone can answer. I have recently been diagnosed with Farmers Lung. As it has been caught fairly quickly, I have been told that if I have total avoidance of all hay, in case of mould, I can start weaning off the steroids. I got rid of the last of my hay in Feb and from August I could start weaning off. My two horses have been fine out grazing and having sugar beet with their usual hard feed when they have needed to be in. With this awful rain that we have been having, they have been in, with an addition of some molasses chaff. I've tried asking Google if there are any chaff that are ok to use when you have farmers lung, with no success. I've been told that even if I have a large bale outside that the spores will attach to the horses, thus I'd still be exposed. I do not wish to be in the position I was in 2 years ago. So wondered if anyone on here has had similar experiences or advice.
Sorry for the short question...long!

 

[ycbm]

Can you use top class haylage? It should have close to zero moulds and dust and being damp what there is will spread less. It is recommended that horses with COPD and asthma eat haylage.
.

 

[cobblers]

That's why I went on to molasses chaff. Wet, sticky so less chance. I've also looked into the mould inhibited chaff too. But no one has any information. Thanks for your response.

 

[ycbm]

That's why I went on to molasses chaff. Wet, sticky so less chance. I've also looked into the mould inhibited chaff too. But no one has any information. Thanks for your response.

The fermentation involved in making haylage kills mould spores if it's made right. A really good brand like Horsehage should work but it's pricey.
.

 

[cobblers]

Only other thing I forgot to mention is that my Cleveland bay x suffered with lammi a couple of years ago, so I had to come off haylage. Went on to soaked hay and that's when my trouble started.

 

[Gloi]

Would high fibre cubes with the sugar beet be okay as a hay substitute if you fed them like horses that can't eat hay.

 

[ycbm]

Only other thing I forgot to mention is that my Cleveland bay x suffered with lammi a couple of years ago, so I had to come off haylage. Went on to soaked hay and that's when my trouble started.

There is haylage made specifically for laminitics these days.
.

 

[cobblers]

I know, but some are still very dry.

 

[cobblers]

Would high fibre cubes with the sugar beet be okay as a hay substitute if you fed them like horses that can't eat hay.

Never thought of that. I will look and see what's available. Thank you.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

I fed the blue and purple bagged horsehage to my old lami pony who couldn't have hay, it definitely wasn't dry and smelled so nice. Also I think I've read somewhere that quite a lot of haylage is lower in sugar than hay.

 

[cobblers]

I fed the blue and purple bagged horsehage to my old lami pony who couldn't have hay, it definitely wasn't dry and smelled so nice. Also I think I've read somewhere that quite a lot of haylage is lower in sugar than hay.

It's not just the horse that can't have hay, it's me. I was wanting a substitute in case I can't turn them out for long strand forage.

 

[DizzyDoughnut]

It's not just the horse that can't have hay, it's me. I was wanting a substitute in case I can't turn them out for long strand forage.

I realise that and just was saying the haylege I used was safe for my lami pony, incase it was something you could use that was safe for you instead of hay as there was no dust etc with it.

 

[ycbm]

I know, but some are still very dry.

Which is why I said "premium brand".
.

 

[cobblers]

I realise that and just was saying the haylege I used was safe for my lami pony, incase it was something you could use that was safe for you instead of hay as there was no dust etc with it.

I know. Its just frustrating trying to find something that gives them the long strand forage for gut health, that doesn't carry the mould, dust and spores that I have to avoid. I do t want to spend my life on steroids. Its played havoc with my weight.

 

[cobblers]

Which is why I said "premium brand".
.

Sorry if I have come across as curt, it's just frustrating.
I will look into premium brands or try the high fibre cubes.

 

[Gloi]

How are you coping with their bedding? Rubber mats? Do you always use a good mask around the horses?
Horses + lung problems are an unhappy combination as I know.

 

[cobblers]

No I don't need a mask. They are on dust free shavings. The allergen I have is just the hay dust, mould and spores.

 

[Nudibranch]

I have chronic atelectasis so I wear a decent dusk mask when I'm mucking out goat beds or doing haynets. Not around the horses generally, just when dealing with hay and straw. That way I can continue to use the regular stuff but I'm not exposed to it.

 

[cobblers]

I have chronic atelectasis so I wear a decent dusk mask when I'm mucking out goat beds or doing haynets. Not around the horses generally, just when dealing with hay and straw. That way I can continue to use the regular stuff but I'm not exposed to it.

I've been told that the dust/spores will sit on the horses, so total avoidance is necessary for me.

 

[paddy555]

I know. Its just frustrating trying to find something that gives them the long strand forage for gut health, that doesn't carry the mould, dust and spores that I have to avoid. I do t want to spend my life on steroids. Its played havoc with my weight.

what a horrible problem to have.

For the forage effect there is also grass nuts (dengie) or alfalfa pellets (also dengie)(both need to be soaked)

for long chop forage are dengie dried alfalfa and dengie dried meadow grass with herbs also out of it?