Grass Glands

[Theo4]

My 4 year old gelding has recently come in from the field with what looks like swollen glands (grass glands?). I have read other forums about this condition but most people say they have this problem in the spring. During September I get quite a lot of different mushrooms appearing in my field and wonder if this has caused this. My two other horses are not affected at all.

I changed his paddock and decided to turn him out at lunch time and to watch him as all swelling had gone down overnight. After only half an hour I could see the swelling begin. Getting the vet out tomorrow to double check as a few days ago he seemed a bit groggy. Although he was unaffected in his appetite.

Would really appreciate your comments. Also done a post on 'pond worm' wonder if this could be a connection?

 

[sueonmull]

Will be interesting to see what they vet has to say, in the meantime if he was mine I'd restrict his grazing to just a couple of hours, bring him in and make sure he has lots of hay.

 

[L&M]

Might well be grass glands - one of mine came in with them up a few days ago and had been a mild and sunny afternoon considering the time of year.

I also noticed that the rested paddocks have greened up substantially since the beginning of Autumn, so the grass has still been growing.

If in doubt though, or there are any other symptons, I would call the vet.

 

[sueonmull]

Where abouts do you live Theo4?

 

[Theo4]

I live in West Yorkshire. The vet has been today to have a look at my four year old. He was very irritated to be in. I was told that he has an allergy to something in the grass. (probably the mushrooms as I thought) Steriod tablets were prescribed to be taken for a week to see if this stops the reaction. However when I went to pick the tablets up another vet suggested piriton instead so I am going with this. (They are anti-histamine) I am to give him 8 tablets in his morning feed and eight at night feed and let him out in the field.
After the vet left (about 11.30), his face was not swollen at all I turned him out, bringing him in at 4.00pm his glands were up again and seemed a bit groggy. Checked the field but couldn't see any mushrooms or anything unusual.

 

[NellRosk]

I live in West Yorkshire too! And my 4 year old has recently had exactly the same problem, the grass is still coming through at our yard and I think she has a slight grass allergy. They cause her no issues and go down when she's been in for a bit.

 

[sueonmull]

I don't understand what's is causing him to be groggy and that would concern me. Is he eating, pooing, peeing, drinking normally? Hopefully someone will come on with a few helpful thoughts.

 

[Theo4]

does your four year old seem a bit groggy when brought in sometimes. Mine does. Doesn't stop him eating though or trying to be the boss.

 

[NellRosk]

does your four year old seem a bit groggy when brought in sometimes. Mine does. Doesn't stop him eating though or trying to be the boss.

Not really, she's full ID so extremely laid back anyway tbh!

 

[swampdonkey]

I was once told that they could be caused because the grass is shorter so they are needing to work harder to get the grass therefore excess saliva?? Could be completely wrong but it made sense at the time.
Anyone else heard this?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Um, sorry to be numpty here........ have been keeping horses, off and on, for 30 years plus, but I've NEVER ever heard of grass glands.

Can someone enlighten??

 

[Theo4]

Same here had horses for 28years in same area and have never experienced this before. My horse (4 years old) is getting swollen face when turned out but when stabled at night it completely goes down. The vet thinks that he has an allergy?

 

[_HP_]

Um, sorry to be numpty here........ have been keeping horses, off and on, for 30 years plus, but I've NEVER ever heard of grass glands.



Can someone enlighten??

Grass glands are just the salivary glands behing the cheek bones...they swell up usually from excess chewing causing excess saliva.

 

[NellRosk]

Um, sorry to be numpty here........ have been keeping horses, off and on, for 30 years plus, but I've NEVER ever heard of grass glands.

Can someone enlighten??

Same here had horses for 28years in same area and have never experienced this before. My horse (4 years old) is getting swollen face when turned out but when stabled at night it completely goes down. The vet thinks that he has an allergy?

Grass glands are big lumps behind their cheeks where their head meets the neck, kind of look like a hamster storing food!

 

[Izzwizz]

Could be an allergy or alternatively as others have said, jaws working harder to nibble at any grass growth which is shorter than in Summer given the time of year. If its going down overnight then Im leaning towards the latter of the grass growth. I noticed it a bit on my mare, like your horse its going down overnight so Im not overly concerned atall. Shes in a small paddock, hardly any grass growth. Can you put some hay in your field and see if that makes a difference?
I dont leave my horse out for long, about 4hrs or so, then shes in for her net, much to her approval!

 

[Goldenstar]

I was once told that they could be caused because the grass is shorter so they are needing to work harder to get the grass therefore excess saliva?? Could be completely wrong but it made sense at the time.
Anyone else heard this?

Vet told me that's what's causes fattys ( another ID ) his are spectalular after a full day in the field .