Grass sickness Nightmare

[Mike007]

Does any one have any knowlege and advice on the care and treatment of a horse diagnosed with a chronic grass sickness.Any advice would be of great help please.(also in comp rider)

 

[Donkeymad]

A friend nursed her horse though this, and now has a fully recovered, smashing horse. I know it took months and many hours and at times was heartbreaking.
I am afraid I can't give advice, other than many many hours, trying many feeds sometimes, and praying.
I wish you all the luck and strength in the world.

 

[Rollin]

Nigel and Sue Cowgill, Highpasture cleveland bays, nursed a mare through this terrible illness. She sruvived. They wrote an article for the CBHS. You might be able to contact them through the CBHS website or ask the secretary Sandra if she has a copy of their article.

 

[Nari]

Have you looked here www.grasssickness.org.uk/main.htm ? I used to know someone's whose cob had grass sickness & she said she got a lot of help & support there.

 

[Mike007]

Thank you both, I will contact the CBHS. THe horse belongs to a close friend and we are going to have an uphill task.

 

[brighteyes]

Acute is a disaster, chronic (as long as it is confirmed chronic) is survivable. Good luck to all concerned. x

 

[Birker2020]

I know someone who had grass sickness hit their yard in Rugby last year. Three horses were lost but there were some that were diagnosed with chronic and they survived. Keep perservering. I don't mean to sound negative here, but from what I have heard and learnt about GS you have a very long road and hard fight ahead of you with a lot of dedicated nursing and round the clock care. I wish you the best of luck. Incidentally they have found there is a possible link between grass sickness and paddock poo collectors (of the brushing mechansim kind in particular). Out of curiosity I would be very interested to know if your fields are subject to a mechanical means of muck collecting. xxxx

 

[kerilli]

from what i have heard, loads of round-the-clock care, tlc etc is the only way that might work. Good Luck, hope your friend's horse pulls through.

 

[Britestar]

Contact the Pentland Foundation in Edinburgh. They have loads of information and work with the Dick Vet who take in many cases/

 

[Mike007]

Its hard to believe that only a few weeks ago I was driving Dennis and A, to their first BE Novice. Its six months since I lost Lancelot so suddenly,I couldnt bear to loose Dennis as well. I visited him in Horsepital today. He looked pretty subdued when I arrived,but clearly reccognised me. No doubt wondering who had sent for his chaufeur.I dont know what I expected to see. If you didnt know ,you would have thought he was just a bit under the weather.But once you know the signs to look for,this awfull disease is unmistakeable.I spent a good while grooming him,he absolutely loved this.The vet arrived halfway through,so I stopped to discuss it with him. He was just explaining how they tend to just stand in one spot and sink into depression.It was at this point that Dennis decided that enough was enough and started to Stomp round and create.Clearly as far as he was concerned, if a certain vet continued to interrupt his grooming,there was going to be big trouble.The vet says that the best thing he has got working for him is his attitude.He is being fed through a drip,and has to wear a muzzle.This is because he hasnt lost his appetite but his gut cant handle food.I was allowed to give him an apple(carefully cut up).Dennis was absolutely beside himself. He couldnt make up his mind wether to nuzzle me or eat the apple.I am dreading the next few weeks,but Lancelot taught me to try to treasure the good times because you never know how long you have got.A has asked me to thank you all for your kind thoughts.