GRASS SICKNESS-IS YOUR HORSE AT RISK ?

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This page is intended only as a guide. It is not designed to replace your Veterinary Surgeon's expertise


Grass sickness affects all types of horses, ponies and donkeys
Animals in good to fat condition are particularly at risk

Age

It occurs at any age, but the greatest number of cases are seen in 2 to 7 year olds, with a peak at 3 to 4 years

Season

Most cases occur between April and July, with a peak in May, depending on whether it is a late or early spring. A smaller peak can occur in the Autumn.
However, cases can occur at any time of the year, often after a colder than normal/drier than normal spell of weather

Place

Certain premises, or even fields within a single premises, are associated with the occurrence of cases.
Animals which have been on affected premises for less than 2 months are more likely to develop the disease
One or more animals may be affected

Other

Stress is often a predisposing factor in Grass Sickness cases - it may be due to travelling, breaking, castration or change in field.

Remember that other diseases, especially various types of colic, may produce similar symptoms to those seen in grass sickness. Always consult your Vet if you are at all worried about your horse's health.

Information in this page was taken from the BHS Leaflet "Grass Sickness"


A Grass Sickness Risk Calculator can be found here


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Anyone requiring more information about Grass Sickness or wishing to contribute to Grass Sickness Research should contact:

Equine Grass Sickness Fund
Moredun Foundation
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan
Penecuik
Midlothian
EH26 0PZ
Tel: 00 44/0 131-445 6257/445 5111
Fax: 00 44/0 131-445 6235

 

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This page is intended only as a guide. It is not designed to replace your Veterinary Surgeon's expertise.

Please note - if I assess my horse using this method he is almost always in the moderate to high group, because of where I live and the fact that he is grazed full-time in summer. However, I feel that because of his age and lack of stress, the risk of GS is fairly small and I don't change my management of him. If your horse is younger and recently stressed, or his field has had another recent case of GS, perhaps you should take more notice!




The first step in avoiding Grass Sickness is evaluation of the risk
Known risk factors are either weather or animal-related.

1. Weather-related risk
Keep a weather record
You will need a Min/Max Thermometer kept out of doors, in shade. At the same time every day, eg 9am, read the Max and Min temperature and work out the reading half way between these, giving the Mean Daily Temperature. Don't forget to reset the thermometer. Also, record the previous 24 hours on DRY (no rain or a few light showers) or WET (heavy showers or persistent rain).

Weather Record Table
(make your own continuation rows) Date Mean Daily Temperature Wet Dry
< 7°C 7 to 11°C > 11°C
eg 1.5.00 X X
etc

HIGH-RISK Weather
During DRY weather, if the mean daily temperature has been in the range 7 to 11°C for more than 10 days, GS risk is very high.




2. Animal-related risk
Individual horses or groups of horses or ponies may be assessed as being in High, Moderate or Low Risk categories

Score Your Score
Age < 6 months 0
6 months - 7 years 3
> 7 years 1
Grazed or Stabled solely grazed 5
solely stabled -4
part grazed/part stabled 1
Time on premises < 2 months 5
> 2 months 2
Has GS occurred
here in the last
5 years? Yes 5
No 2
Time of Year July-March 0
May 2
April or June 1
Total Score


Animal-related Risk
Overall Score Risk
12 or more High
7 to 11 Moderate
6 or less Low




3. Evaluate your risk

Weather-related Risk Animal-related Risk Precautions
High High Stable if possible. Avoid movements,
food changes or stress
Moderate
High Low Stable at least part-time, if possible
Avoid stressful events
Low High
Low Low Normal good management practices



Remember that other diseases, especially various types of colic, may produce similar symptoms to those seen in grass sickness. Always consult your Vet if you are at all worried about your horse's health.

Information in this page was taken from the Leaflet "Grass Sickness Risk Assessor"



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Anyone requiring more information about Grass Sickness or wishing to contribute to Grass Sickness Research should contact:

Equine Grass Sickness Fund
Moredun Foundation
Pentlands Science Park
Bush Loan
Penecuik
Midlothian
EH26 0PZ
Tel: 00 44/0 131-445 6257/445 5111
Fax: 00 44/0 131-445 6235