Grass Sickness - We Need Advice!!

Kellys Heroes

Kellys Heroes

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Hi all,
to cut a long story short we are having shite luck as a yard at the moment. Lots of lami, 1 with Cushings (Kelly) and various other injuries.
Yesterday, a 2 y/o was PTS due to suspected grass sickness, now confirmed (R.I.P). This morning, another horse got taken to hospital with suspected grass sickness.
As expected, the whole yard is in shock and wondering what to do for the best?

My first thought would have been get them in - the 'affected' fields so far as 5 and 7, Kelly isn't out in the fields atm and our other is in field 1 - however, we've rang two vets today (our own and someone elses).
The first vet said...keep them out to build their immunity and don't swap fields. If they're gonna get it, the chances are they'll already have it.
The second vet said...keep them in for a week, then put them out again. And again, if they're gonna get it, the chances are they'll already have it.
A yard about 20 minutes away also has a confirmed case.

I can understand the weather being hot then wet has provided perfect conditions for the bacteria to grow, but everything contradicts itself and we just don't know what to do for the best. Both our girls atm seem fine, eating, drinking, pooing, no colic signs etc.

Any advice is much appreciated, we're in shock.
K x

Also in NL.
 
Hi, whereabouts in Manchester are the affected yards please? I know there were some cases in Partington and Carrington a few years ago. It is true that grass sickness seems to occur after warm wet weather following a dry period. It is more common in young animals and those that are soley out to grass. Apparently feeding some hay can help to reduce the chance of developing it.

As to immunity, I don't think horses can develop immunity to it. It isn't a virus. They are either susceptible because of the above, or not. I would guess that keeping older horses on the affected fields to graze them down would be the least worst option.

Funnily enough it was something that crossed my mind when the weather broke recently. We haven't had such a prolonged dry spell before the spring grass got going for years.
 
There's been a large outbreak apparently according to the vets we spoke to, must just be the weather but its not something we need we've had the worst 5 months!
Its the Wigan area and I'm not completely sure where the other yard is, I just know its quite near
K x
 
Hi their, i'm very sorry to hear this. In 2006 the riding school/livery yard i worked at had 3 horses die of grass sickness a 5yr old 6yr old and 7yr old. My mare was out in the same field as these horses and she never got it i gave her hay everyday and dont know if this helped i now give my horses a supplement with a probiotic in it everyday as a preventative, this sickness has put so much fear into me :(. It isn't contagious, it is thought to be something changing the molecular formula of the grass ie weather, have the fields been harrowed? i never harrow the fields or use one of those hoover things as these are possible links also disturbing of the soil etc. I wish you guys the very best of luck in getting past this awful sickness :( x
 
Joyce McIntosh at the Equine Grass Sickness Fund HQ is very helpful. Feeding something other than grass every day is recommended. Avoiding soil disturbance is also recommended. My horse died from sub-acute grass sickness in 2002. There has never been another case on that yard, although many other horses have grazed the same field. There is some evidence that game birds on the land may be a bad thing...there were lots of pheasants there the year my horse died. Thinking of you. It's a horrible illness. XX
 
We have a LOAD of pheasants everywhere.
As far as I can see, the fields haven't been touched re; soil disturbance - the vet just said with the warm weather, then the rain its ideal for the bacteria to multiply.
One of the liveries was getting in touch with the equine hospital dealing with the cases today to see what their advice was - I've never ever had experience of it before and I'm hoping not to with our own horses.
I can't begin to imagine what the owners of the 2 cases are going through.
I think most people are bringing them in for the moment until we know more so they will be on hay. The probiotic is a good idea, someone mentioned Yea-Sac - in pink powder?
K x
 
Hmm, Wigan - that's interesting because I'm sure someone told me of cases near the East Lancs Road some years ago. Hindley way perhaps? It stands to reason that the bacteria would favour particular locations over others, hence you get repeat outbreaks.

Yeah, we have pheasants and partridge running about on our fields too but I suppose they are there every year.

I suspect there will be a strangles explosion too now the rain has come. My vet from years back told me that often rears its ugly head after rain following a dry period.

There is always something with horses, isn't there? Hopefully the fact that my girl is 28, is fed twice daily anyway and has been enjoying a small amount of hay morning and evening in addition to 24/7 turnout will count in her favour. Mustn't tempt fate though.
 
fatpiggy said:
Hmm, Wigan - that's interesting because I'm sure someone told me of cases near the East Lancs Road some years ago. Hindley way perhaps? It stands to reason that the bacteria would favour particular locations over others, hence you get repeat outbreaks.

Yeah, we have pheasants and partridge running about on our fields too but I suppose they are there every year.

I suspect there will be a strangles explosion too now the rain has come. My vet from years back told me that often rears its ugly head after rain following a dry period.

There is always something with horses, isn't there? Hopefully the fact that my girl is 28, is fed twice daily anyway and has been enjoying a small amount of hay morning and evening in addition to 24/7 turnout will count in her favour. Mustn't tempt fate though.
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Yes apparently the East Lancs outbreak was on a stud farm and it ruined them - that's at the Worsley junction, if its the one I'm thinking of. I know a friend enquired about buying some land there and was told by someone off her yard not to bother as there was an outbreak of GS years ago and not to risk it...so I don't know how long it takes to 'disappear'?
Yeah that's my thoughts. I'm crossing my fingers for that Kelly is 17, only out for an hour max a day, fed twice a day and has hay twice a day and the other mare is 11, fed hay twice a day, hard feed once and is out for 2-3 hours 3-4 times a week....and both turnouts are away from where the outbreak is, so fingers crossed none of them or any more off the yard will start with anything.
K x
 
apparently theres a few other farms with confirmed cases - ryders has had 2 i think. its so horrible :(
and confusing as we're being given contradicting advice! one vet said that it might be due to the pipeline work... which makes a bit of sense as theres all that pipeline digging down the bottom of the lane! and ryders has been having pipeline work done.

such a horrible horrible disease :( rip to merlin and tobias
 
jess_ said:
apparently theres a few other farms with confirmed cases - ryders has had 2 i think. its so horrible :(
and confusing as we're being given contradicting advice! one vet said that it might be due to the pipeline work... which makes a bit of sense as theres all that pipeline digging down the bottom of the lane! and ryders has been having pipeline work done.

such a horrible horrible disease :( rip to merlin and tobias
Click to expand...

That is true....I never thought of the pipeline work actually :( And didn't know about ryders either, but I know one of the vets said there's been a huge increase in it this year.

K x
 
It doesnt seem to be that certain farms carry it,rather that certain soil types ,and localised weather conditions (eg frost pockets)make some places more prone.Talk to a dozen vets and you will get 12 theorys,any one of which could be right. One thing that doesnt help us ,is that yards understandably dont want the world to know they had a case. Its a bit like strangles but with much less justification. As a result,valuable clues and insights are lost. How is it that we can have a disease that we simply havent a clue how it is caused.We might as well blame the Windsor Horse show,because the rush of cases seems to coincide.I am absolutely paranoid about grass sickness ,once you experience it ,you never look at a horse the same way again.
 
howardgreet said:
Is there a definite cure discovered for this sickness?
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There's no cure and a 95%+ mortality rate in equines :( vaccines area available for cattle and sheep but not horses and as far as I can see, there is 3 types - the chronic grass sickness can be beaten by a period of intensive nursing.
Both vets said out of a herd of 100 horses, only one or two will result in a fatality from it....and we've had two PTS at our yard already.
I'm hopeful for our two as they're 17 and 11, but understandably its still very worrying and one of those diseases that nobody has a clue whats best for.
K x
 
KellysHeroes said:
Yes apparently the East Lancs outbreak was on a stud farm and it ruined them - that's at the Worsley junction, if its the one I'm thinking of. I know a friend enquired about buying some land there and was told by someone off her yard not to bother as there was an outbreak of GS years ago and not to risk it...so I don't know how long it takes to 'disappear'?
Yeah that's my thoughts. I'm crossing my fingers for that Kelly is 17, only out for an hour max a day, fed twice a day and has hay twice a day and the other mare is 11, fed hay twice a day, hard feed once and is out for 2-3 hours 3-4 times a week....and both turnouts are away from where the outbreak is, so fingers crossed none of them or any more off the yard will start with anything.
K x
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That's funny because some friends of mine looked at land there too for horses, and were warned off because of the GS. Look how wet the fields get in the winter and you could easily see why bacteria would favour them. Mind you, my girl is on the very edge of Carrington Moss and in the winter the fields have a layer of standing water right across them, but I haven't heard of any cases nearer than about 3 miles away.

That's very interesting about the pipeline work. I remember seeing the earthworks at Worsley. Half of Cheshire seems to have been dug up in the last 2 years.

Horrible, horrible disease and we all need to spread the word so that people can keep an eye open for it. We can't probably do much about prevention realistically, but a quick diagnosis is surely better for everyone, even though it probably means PTS for the horse - I'd rather a quick end than a 3 day one.
 
Just to say I wasn't meaning to alarm anyone re game birds as they are everywhere! I have read of there being clusters of GS cases on land which has been used to rear game birds, and I think GS first appeared at the same time bird droppings were first used as a fertiliser. It is interesting that there were unusually large numbers of pheasants on our field the year my horse died, but there are some around every year! Thinking of you all at your yard. XX
 
I am so sorry you are going through this on your yard, my thoughts are with you.

I have fortunately never lost a horse to this but have always dreaded it nevertheless.

I believe from speaking to someone who had an outbreak at their yard in Rugby and had four livery horse PTS with acute GS that removing a horse from a yard to another yard is enough stress to 'bring it on' although I did not think that GS was associated with stress. If it were me I would feed hay/haylage by leaving it in the field and if your horses are out 24/7 then I would bring them in for part of the day/night.

Good luck, I am thinking of you and wish you well x
 
Lol our girl already suffers with stress seizures and stress induced lami, we certainly don't need anymore! I doubt we will be moving them anywhere and as said before, one is only out max of 3 hours a day and the other isn't out in the main fields yet - they are both fed hay morning and night.
No more reports today...fingers crossed it stays that way.
K x
 
So sorry to hear your news. We also have a current chrinic GS case. We are up to day 25 of intensive nursing albeit now at home by us as vets recommended bringing her back to help encourage recovery. Wishing you all the best and that you NEVER have to see another GS case
 
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
 
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I know nothing much about grass sickness and I believe the cause is still unclear. I'd go with your insinct to get them all off the grass especially with the other grass related problems. Or at least tape off areas to restrict grass intake.
Obviously stabling may well cause problems and isn't ideal, are there any grass free areas that could be used for turnout?
What do the Vets advise?

I wonder if it would be worth having the soil tested and ferilized etc. according to the tests? Stressed grass seems to be more likely to cause problems especially laminitis.

Thinking of you all and the horses, what a nightmare scenario.
 
amandap said:
I know nothing much about grass sickness and I believe the cause is still unclear. I'd go with your insinct to get them all off the grass especially with the other grass related problems. Or at least tape off areas to restrict grass intake.
Obviously stabling may well cause problems and isn't ideal, are there any grass free areas that could be used for turnout?
What do the Vets advise?

I wonder if it would be worth having the soil tested and ferilized etc. according to the tests? Stressed grass seems to be more likely to cause problems especially laminitis.

Thinking of you all and the horses, what a nightmare scenario.
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Thanks, guys. Rachel, I'm sorry for your loss :( I will certainly check it out.
No more reports of any illness since the second case was PTS.
I can't see our two being a problem (fingers crossed) as one is on restricted grazing in a tiny paddock with a grass muzzle (poor girl!) anyway and the other is never out for more than approx 3 hours a day (some days in all day) (and they're older)
Vets are saying different things, its very difficult to know what to do in this case :( they all just want to cover their own backs. Some say turn out, others say keep in.
I'm not sure what YO plans to do, I'm back at uni now so I'm just getting updates. Seems like everything has stopped, but its a very uneasy feeling!!
K x
 
KellysHeroes said:
Vets are saying different things, its very difficult to know what to do in this case :( they all just want to cover their own backs. Some say turn out, others say keep in.
Click to expand...

The problem is that no-one really knows what causes the disease, so vets really aren't in a good position to give any advice. Vets hate diagnosing grass sickness almost as much as owners - without a well documented cause, and with no known treatment it puts vets in exactly the same position - utterly helpless.
There are several identified risk factors for grass sickness, one of which is recent access to grazing, so logically restricting grazing would seem sensible. The problem is without knowing more about the disease, we have no idea whether this is too late, or for how long to restrict access.
 
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_190680500978828


rachel12 said:
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
Click to expand...
 
KellysHeroes said:
Hi all,
to cut a long story short we are having shite luck as a yard at the moment. Lots of lami, 1 with Cushings (Kelly) and various other injuries.
Yesterday, a 2 y/o was PTS due to suspected grass sickness, now confirmed (R.I.P). This morning, another horse got taken to hospital with suspected grass sickness.
As expected, the whole yard is in shock and wondering what to do for the best?

My first thought would have been get them in - the 'affected' fields so far as 5 and 7, Kelly isn't out in the fields atm and our other is in field 1 - however, we've rang two vets today (our own and someone elses).
The first vet said...keep them out to build their immunity and don't swap fields. If they're gonna get it, the chances are they'll already have it.
The second vet said...keep them in for a week, then put them out again. And again, if they're gonna get it, the chances are they'll already have it.
A yard about 20 minutes away also has a confirmed case.

I can understand the weather being hot then wet has provided perfect conditions for the bacteria to grow, but everything contradicts itself and we just don't know what to do for the best. Both our girls atm seem fine, eating, drinking, pooing, no colic signs etc.

Any advice is much appreciated, we're in shock.
K x

Also in NL.
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i hope this info helps you, i lost my horse to grass sickness 4 weeks ago and i have done so much research i thought this article might help.
Reducing the risk of grass sickness

Prof Chris Proudman FRCVS

29 August, 2006

Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a disease of the nerves that co-ordinate intestinal movement and peristalsis. Common signs of the condition include distension of small intestine and impaction of large intestine with food material; an increased heart rate and intermittent "patchy" sweating, often on the neck and flanks; and profuse salivation. The condition is often fatal and currently there is no cure.

Research has shown that when a horse on particular premises is diagnosed with the disease, there is an increased risk of other horses nearby also suffering the disease for a period of approximately one month. The radius of increased risk is at least 10km but there is likely to be a gradient of risk; risk is highest on the affected premises and decreases with distance from those premises.

The scientific evidence suggests the following actions will minimise the risk of further horses being affected:

•Avoid abrupt changes in management and diet. It is tempting to move horses to a different pasture or to stable them after a positive diagnosis of EGS. There is no evidence that this is protective and plenty of evidence to suggest that dietary change increases the risk of EGS.

•Slowly, over the course of two to three weeks, introduce some supplementary forage (hay or haylage). Don't do this suddenly for the reason given above.

•Be reassured that older horses and those who survive more than a month following the diagnosis of a case of EGS are likely to be very resistant to the disease.

If your horse is stabled on "high risk" premises — those that have recently given rise to a case of EGS, the following advice will help minimise the chance of your horse getting EGS.

•Avoid grazing young horses (less than seven years old) on high-risk premises if possible. Young horses are most at risk from EGS. Older horses are relatively resistant to the disease.

•Avoid changes in management during the high-risk spring period (April-June). This includes moving horses to different pastures, buying new horses from other areas and changes in diet. Change in diet is one of the biggest risk factors for EGS.

•Supplement the diet of horses "at risk" with extra hay or haylage throughout the spring.

•Avoid digging up or otherwise disturbing the soil. Don't dig holes for fence posts, trenches for drains or foundations for buildings in the pastures of grazing horses. Mechanical removal of droppings is also best avoided.

•Avoid the intensive use of worming drugs in the months leading up to the high-risk spring period. Worm control is obviously important, but the over-use of worming drugs may increase the risk of EGS. Talk to your vet about getting the balance right.

•Don't worry about ploughing and re-seeding pasture or about the use of nitrogen fertilizer. Neither of these has been demonstrated to change the risk of EGS.

I have an equine grass sickness awarness group on facebook if you would like to join i have posted loads of info on there.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1020400644#!/home.php?sk=group_219636401382141&ap=1

i have also found out from another article that the things you can do to minimise the risk, is make sure they get hay everyday, a daily portion of seaweed, and a mineral lick in the stable (low in sugar)
 
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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=...90680500978828
 
we are in aberdeenshire and its classed as a high risk area, it isnt something you can totally prevent but can do things to try and prevent, most of which is mentioned in the vet artical above
i always take mine in for a min of 4-6 hrs so they can get off the grass and get some hay/haylage
they get 2 feeds per day and a good supplement, i use a local one made for this area (norvite) i also feed a pro/pre biotic and avoid worming around this time i do worm counts and gauge it with those
i dont allow any machinery on the fields where the horses graze and if there is some sort of machinery on the field i will either rest it or tape that bit off for min of 3 weeks
i am a bit worried just now as there has been a small windmill put up just the other side of the farm track and huge hole dug for it but i cant do anything about that so just crossing my fingers mine will be ok, i have 2 in the risk age group but any age of horse/pony can get it - at the end of the day i feel you have to think if they are going to get it they will get it nothing you do will prevent it happening, its a horrid thing and the sooner they can find something to prevent it or cure it the better
really feel for everyone at your yard just now and hope there are no further cases
they also say if there has been a dry spell for 10 days or more and then rain there is an increase in cases so to watch out and take more preventitve measures then - ie hay etc
 
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