Grass Sickness- mortality rate to be over 95%

R

rachel12

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 December 2008
Messages
91
Visit site
We managed to keep a mare alive last year and she produced a lovely foal last month, she was struck down with Grass Sickness whilst in her first trimester and still nursing her 2010 foal. I have never had one survive until her and she is a total miracle.
 
I just asked to join, I lost my 4yo to acute grass sickness in 2003. It's such a horrible disease and took a lovely young horse from us :( I'd only had him for 6 months. I've filled out the EGSF questionnaire already, anything to further their research.
 
My horse Magners was my best friend. We had done so much in the two years that I had him. I had only just started riding him this January as he had only just turned 3 years. Magners was sadly put down last Tuesday with sub-acube grass sickness. I loved my horse so much and would do anything to have him back healthy. I dont know what to do without him. Hope it gets better :( Big thanks to everyone that joins the group.

Rachel x
 
I'll join in a few mins :)

In my pondering whilst going about my day, I often think about things like this. I am wondering after keeping sheep and chickens and getting used to/learning about ailments, lots of reading etc.....I do wonder if whether there is any connection between the likes of coccidiosis that occurs in rabbits/chickens/other birds and if it can cross the species barrier to horses. I'm gonna keep on studying :)

I wish you well and will spread the word ;)
 
A horrible disease. The best hope for the chronic cases (The acute and sub acute are basicly beyond hope)is a prompt diagnosis and then the intra- veinous feeding system used by Liphook. This time last year Dennis was at deaths door. Last week A rode him in a BE prenovice at Solihull and came 5th.So sometimes there is hope though it was a long struggle and has left its mark on him in little ways.
 
My horse was fine one minute then bad the next. He was grazing and when I called him he came galloping over to me in the field. I brought him in to the stables. Got on him and noticed his muscles tremoring a little. But this stopped when walking on. I got off and let him out in field and he would not graze and kept lying down. I called the vet and he came out and thought it was colic at first. Mangers had to go to hospital at 4 am on easter sunday. Once at the hospital Magners had symptoms such as, muscle tremors, dribbling, very fast heart rate 60-80, constant sweating, colic, trouble swallowing, droopy eye lids, back legs tucked up, depression one minute then seeming better the next, diarrhea and constipation. Not a nice disease at all. On Tuesday Magners was put down as the vet said he had sub-acute grass sickness and would only get worse.

One of the main problems is that grass sickness cases are not being reported. Many horses are put down with colic when it may actually be grass sickness. Magners had an eye drop test and a post-mortem biopsy of his intestine to confirm it was grass sickness. Then I asked the vet to send her report to the grass sickness fund and I have filled out the grass sickness questionnaire online. I really want them to find something that can prevent grass sickness. They are currently looking into a vaccine???
 
My ISH mare had grass sickness (in a previous ownership) and had to be hand fed for 18 months. It explains why she is so keen on all root veg as that was all she could eat.
She confounded the vets at AHT by being one of a tiny % that survives this awful sickness.
 
I wish I had been able to save my boy Magners. I miss him sooooo much. I had only just trained him to come to me when blowing a whistle in the field. Amazing horse. Its been nearly two weeks without him and I am finding it so hard :( x
 
RIP Magners ,Rachel, I know how hard this must have hit you. I lost my last horse ,Lancelot ,very suddenly and he was only six. When you say you are finding it hard, I realise just how brave you are being, because I understand just how you really feal. In a way it was better for poor Magners to be diagnosed as subclinical, because it saved him going through hell. A,s horse ,Dennis had the chronic grass sickness ,and has recovered ,but there were some very dark nights for Dennis and me,when I thouht that a gun might have been the kindest gift to him. It was HIS bravery that kept us going, I must confess at this point that there are tears in my eyes.Magners is now beyond pain and suffering,hold on to that thought.
 
Mike007 said:
RIP Magners ,Rachel, I know how hard this must have hit you. I lost my last horse ,Lancelot ,very suddenly and he was only six. When you say you are finding it hard, I realise just how brave you are being, because I understand just how you really feal. In a way it was better for poor Magners to be diagnosed as subclinical, because it saved him going through hell. A,s horse ,Dennis had the chronic grass sickness ,and has recovered ,but there were some very dark nights for Dennis and me,when I thouht that a gun might have been the kindest gift to him. It was HIS bravery that kept us going, I must confess at this point that there are tears in my eyes.Magners is now beyond pain and suffering,hold on to that thought.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post. Sorry to hear about your boy. Such a horrible disease.

Thanks Rachel x
 
I do agree, but the problem is the lack of understanding. Ignorance breeds fear and it is too easy for a yard to get a bad name simply because they are open about a problem that others keep quiet about.Grass sickness can strike anywhere so it seems. We need to educate people about this awfull disease.The more data that can be gathered ,the more chance there is of finding out what actualy causes it.I was discussing the problem with a vet at liphook ,on saturday, It will be interesting to see if the spring peak of cases gets shifted by the weather we have had. We are still groping about in the dark.
 
I found out after my horse was put down that 4 other horses had died in the same field in the last 10 years or so. I didn't even know what grass sickness was untill 4 weeks ago when my horse got it. I am so angry at the lady that runs the yard for not telling me the facts.

Help!
 
I lost my boy Magners last month to sub-acute grass sickness. Such a horrible disease. I have made a group on facebook in memory of him. I want to spread awareness.

Please look at documents on the group which have lots of links to different info on different sites.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_190680500978828

I have just made an album in memory of all horses that have suffered with GS. If anyone would like a picture posted, post one on the wall with a comment and I will add it to the "In memory of..." album.

Thanks Rachel
 
Horrible disease, our yard is battling with it at the moment, with 2 PTS and fingers crossed, so far no other cases.
Can only hope it stays that way.
I'm sorry for all your losses x
 
What has your yard done?? Have they stopped horses from grazing at all?? Just wondered. Hope you don't get anymore. Poor horsies :(



KellysHeroes said:
Horrible disease, our yard is battling with it at the moment, with 2 PTS and fingers crossed, so far no other cases.
Can only hope it stays that way.
I'm sorry for all your losses x
Click to expand...
 
Don't Cry for the Horses
by Brenda Riley Seymore

Don't Cry for the horses that life has set free,
A million horses forever to be,
Don't cry for the horses now in Gods hands
as they dance and they prance to a heavenly band,
they were ours as a gift but never to keep,
as they close their eyes forever to sleep.

Their spirits unbound on silver wings they fly
a million horses against the blue sky,
look up into heaven, you'll see them above,
the horses we lost, the horses we loved,
manes and tails flowing they gallop through time,
they never were yours, they never were mine,
don't cry for the horses they will be back someday,
when our time has come they will show us the way.

On silver wings they will lift us to the warmth of the sun,
when our life is over and eternity has begun,
we will jump the sun and dance over the moon
a ballet of horses and riders on the winds to a heavenly tune,
do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses, Love the ones that are here.

Please join my facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_190680500978828
 
Last edited:
Hello, how is everyone today? If anyone would like to chat about GS just join my group and post on the wall. xx
 
IMPORTANT MESSAGE!!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/190680500978828
Please Join and add friends :)

The more that awareness is spread the better!!!!!! My horse Magners died from this horrible disease (wiltshire area). I am trying my best to spread awareness to all horse owners. Please please please join and add as many people as you can. Thank You so much.

[Content removed]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top