Fescue and brood mares.

[minime]

Does anyone have any experience with brood mares that have eaten fescue? What did you do and what was the outcome?
Thanks in advance

 

[Alec Swan]

Does anyone have any experience with brood mares that have eaten fescue? What did you do and what was the outcome?
Thanks in advance

When I re-seed pastures, on very light land, then I generally include a healthy amount of Sheep's Fescue in the mix. It doesn't seem to do too well on heavier land, but that's because it struggles to survive along with the more vigorous, Rye grass, and Timothy.

It isn't generally used in hay producing crops, but only because it gives a much lower weight to the acre. It's of high food value, none-the-less.

I don't understand why there should be an "outcome".

Alec.

Ets, I've just noticed that you're based in Italy, so do you know which specific varieties grow with you? Identifying various grasses, within a specific group can be difficult, I realise!! a.

 

[Sportznight]

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/fesalk.html

In Kentucky they always said that it was a leading factor in red bag foalings.

 

[Alec Swan]

Thanks for that, Sportznight. I haven't had a chance to read it through, but quickly skipping through it, how common the Endophyte Fungus is, would I suppose, affect the prevalence of risk.

As you mentioned Kentucky, and as it seems that the fungal risk is greatest at the time when the plant is seeding, then as the stud farms out there would probably keep their paddocks mown, and certainly before seeding, then the risk would have been minimised. It would also be interesting to know, if there is a seasonal time for red bag deliveries. If they are thought to be just as likely, in March or April, when few grasses are producing seed heads, as they are later in the summer, say now, then I suspect that there may be a deal of speculation attached to it. If however, red bag deliveries, are more common during the early summer months, then it could be a major influence.

The report only seems to mention Tall Fescue, so whether the other Fescues can harbour the fungus, which is thought to contribute to problems, is rather down to speculation.

I suspect that the risk of fungal infection, and how it may affect the brood mare, would be slight, and I also suspect, that like many things, we can continue to search out risks.

All of the above, is just me, thinking in print!! It's a subject of interest.

Alec.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Fescue toxicity can cause abortion in mares. Foals born to these
mares are usually too large at birth, can lack muscle mass, have
poor suckling reflex and low body temperature, among other problems.

When seeding pastures, however, the endophyte-free fescue is
not as hardy and drought resistant as the infected variety.
Grazing on the latter is not a problem for horses in general.
Pregnant mares are the only cause for concern.

 

[minime]

A friend of mine has 2 mares due which are sitting at 357 and 340 days which is not normal for miniature horses who normally foal from 310-330. Neither of these mares show any signs of foaling soon and the vet has said it is due to the fescue that they are grazing on. I lost a foal this year due to a dystocia and this mare had grazed on fescue too. I don't know if it was the cause. This is the first I have heard of it so I was just trying to pick your brains, I hope you don't mind I have searched the internet but as you mentioned I can only find info on Tall fescue.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Since fescue toxicosis can cause prolonged gestation and agalactia (no or
low milk production), it would be a good idea to establish a strong
relationship with your vet. It was discovered, some 10 years ago, that
affected mares could be treated with domperidone.

Do your mares consistently foal as early as 310 days? That seems to be
extremely early. Would the foals be considered pre or dismature?

There are many sites on the web which will give you more details about
fescue toxicosis. Work with your vet and don't be afraid to ask questions.
All the best of luck with the babies.

 

[mellissa]

I think mini's tend to foal earlier than 'normal' horses- and gestation at that stage is normal.

In american and north american countries their grass is different and they feed fescue hay. They
do know to take the mares of such pasture/hay I think around 3 months before parturition, could be more, as this is considered to be the high risk.

It is not really prevalent in the uk as far as I know.

 

[minime]

Thanks for your help. Unfortunately both foals were found to be dead, when they were passed they were small and under developed.

 

[Rollin]

I am very interested in this post. We have had two years of drought in France.

Last year we nearly lost one CB mare to Anaphlyctic shock after foaling, she foaled late and piled on the pounds in the last four weeks.

This year another CB mare foaled late, piled on the pounds during the last four weeks. The foal was huge, would not stand or suckle, temperature dropped and he died that afternoon, vets could not find out why.

My other CB mare succumbed to laminitis after two months without rain. We were sure a toxin was involved as she had urticaria and respiratory distress.

 

[Sportznight]

I am very interested in this post. We have had two years of drought in France.

Last year we nearly lost one CB mare to Anaphlyctic shock after foaling, she foaled late and piled on the pounds in the last four weeks.

This year another CB mare foaled late, piled on the pounds during the last four weeks. The foal was huge, would not stand or suckle, temperature dropped and he died that afternoon, vets could not find out why.

My other CB mare succumbed to laminitis after two months without rain. We were sure a toxin was involved as she had urticaria and respiratory distress.

Did you test for EHV?

 

[Rollin]

Yes. Foal that died had bloods and swabs both negative. Mare was vaccinated.

 

[minime]

Rollin do you have fescue in your fields? I am very sorry for the loss of your foal. How long ago did she foal? Maybe you could have her tested.

 

[Rollin]

Rollin do you have fescue in your fields? I am very sorry for the loss of your foal. How long ago did she foal? Maybe you could have her tested.

I don't know and at the moment we have so little grass it will be difficult to tell. We have had only a few odd days of rain since April, warm and windy so everything is burned off.

The foal was born in April, it is interesting that we thought the mare was off colour two weeks before foaling and were preparing for perhaps a red sack. She foaled at 340 days a super big colt, no difficulty with foaling but very and unusually tired afterwards. He would not stand, when we called the vet, she said he had fluid in his lungs, he was also very cold, just like a prem.

A real tragedy as he was a pure-bred CB, last year there were only 32 worldwide and this year I think we will be lucky ot have 20. Another CB breeder recently lost a newborn foal it too was very big and the mare went for 12 months.

I met the owner of our stallion's sire, last month, she is in Virginia USA and lost 3 CB foals last year all were big and foalings were difficult. She like me wants to see some research or data collection - I am sending her the article.

A bit long. Do you think it too late to test the mare?

 

[minime]

well you could try testing her and testing your grass( what is left) too. It does seem strange that others miles away are having similar problems with the same breed.
I wish you all the best
Renee

 

[Rollin]

well you could try testing her and testing your grass( what is left) too. It does seem strange that others miles away are having similar problems with the same breed.
I wish you all the best
Renee

Possibly breed related except I know that Virginia had a terrible hay harvest last year and this year it is fantastic.

 

[Rollin]

Mineme you have got me googling away now.

Apparently it is a big problem in USA with 80 million acres infected.

 

[minime]

Yes I have been crazy googling too, I am trying to find out if it is a problem outside the states too. I am in Italy and I have just read that Italians mix it in the hay too
I lost a foal this year due to a dystocia and I have something that looks like fescue so it is worrying me sick. I have contacted my local agricultural Uni to see if they will do some analysis for me.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Minime and Rollin: I just read a very informative article about
fescue and in-foal mares on the US website "theHorse.com."
The website has over 14,000 articles on every aspect of horse
health. What's so helpful is that virtually all the articles are
written by vets/experts/researchers, etc. Whenever there are
technical terms there are explanations of their meanings for the
layman. I've got theHorse.com in my bookmarks, right next to
Horse&Hound.

The descriptions of the mares and foals in both of your posts
are very indicative of fescue toxicosis. I hope you might be
able to test your grass and get to the bottom of this very
distressing situation.

 

[Rollin]

Minime and Rollin: I just read a very informative article about
fescue and in-foal mares on the US website "theHorse.com."
The website has over 14,000 articles on every aspect of horse
health. What's so helpful is that virtually all the articles are
written by vets/experts/researchers, etc. Whenever there are
technical terms there are explanations of their meanings for the
layman. I've got theHorse.com in my bookmarks, right next to
Horse&Hound.

The descriptions of the mares and foals in both of your posts
are very indicative of fescue toxicosis. I hope you might be
able to test your grass and get to the bottom of this very
distressing situation.

Thank you I did try to get onto that site last night and although it says it takes less time than to tack up ....so far no success.

 

[Cuffey]

Link to most recent article--you may have to sign in to read it

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17474

 

[RutlandH2O]

Yes, as Cuffey said, you have to sign in. It doesn't cost a cent.
I've got it in my Bookmarks and just click on it everyday.
Whenever there are subjects for which you are interested, just
go to Search.

Hope this helps!

 

[Rollin]

Link to most recent article--you may have to sign in to read it

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=17474

After three attempts and an email to their help desk, still can't log on to this website. Pity.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Rollin: I'm bound and determined to get you onto this site....

Don't give up. You won't regret it. I'll contact a friend in the US
and see what she can do.

 

[Rollin]

Thank you Rutland - I was beginning to think it was the French.

Did you know we ex-pats can't buy a UK lottery ticket or ring our bookies in the UK? Last Grand National was not listed with PMU either!!!!! (Paris Mutual - govt owned bookmaker)

 

[RutlandH2O]

Please excuse silly questions: Did you go to Help and check the
following: Joining theHorse.com
Logging In
Viewing articles
Finding Articles

Are you on a PC or a Mac?

Should I PM you?

 

[Rollin]

I am on an Applemac and each time I do the form it does not accept submit.

I have now emailed twice with no response.

Not going to try again. HELP is a misnomer if ever there was one.

Thanks for your help.

 

[RutlandH2O]

Rollin: I've just sent an message to theHorse.com, telling them
of your problems trying to submit and it not going through.
I received a message back saying they will get back to me
within 3 days. Fingers crossed.

 

[Rollin]

Thank you

 

[minime]

Great site, thanks very much.