Horse's legs going orange?

[only_me]

Does anyone know why my horse's legs are going Orange after riding in the field?

It has only been happening the past 2 weeks and only in one field, where we ride, it is just a normal field, clay soil and a river runs alongside the field. Any ideas?
When I walk in the field my legs also go orange, as do my dogs etc. It's very strange!

Anyone any ideas?

 

[Beausmate]

'Rust' on the grass? Think it's a type of fungus/mould that grows on grass and rubs a sort of orange dust off on things.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/lawn-grass-rust-fungus.htm

 

[bakewell]

Could be from an iron based fertiliser/ additive. You can get a stain on concrete too if fertiliser with iron on touches on damp.

 

[Chococat]

We have noticed this too in the last few weeks when riding in our field (which has not been fertilised). Assumed it was a type of pollen but hav'nt worked out what it's coming from so will be very interested in other replys. Will be looking more closely at the grass later to see if there is any type of 'rust' as Beausmate suggested. We are also on clay soil with a rhyne running alongside.

 

[only_me]

Oh interesting, ive never heard of grass rust before! Field was fertilized in april but hay was made off field so there shoudnt be any fertilizer trace left, and other hay field was done at same time but no orange stuff/rust on that one.

Just worried that it would be toxic to horses, as it is the winter field for some of the horses!

 

[Dave's Mam]

From the clay itself?

 

[Beausmate]

Does the grass look like this?

 

[MyDogIsAnIdiot]

Has someone sprayed fake tan instead of fertiliser?

Not helpful but those legs look like mine after I've attempted fake tanning!

 

[only_me]

From the clay itself?

No, definately not the clay soil as all our land is clay and it's only that field that turns them orange.

 

[only_me]

Does the grass look like this?

In parts it looks like that i think, usually I am looking down from bill so quite a long way down i just assumed the grass was getting flat where I ride and starting to die?

 

[only_me]

Has someone sprayed fake tan instead of fertiliser?

Not helpful but those legs look like mine after I've attempted fake tanning!

Lol I know, with the ever helpful white streaks as well

 

[Holzdweaver]

It might be from the river rather than the grass itself, we had a river running along our old field and sometimes the water was orange which made the banks and surounding grass and mud orange too. Didnt notice at first having a chestnut but when the grey pony moved on, every so often she was orange from the knee down. Asked the builders about it and they said something about the river having deposits from a mine and it was high in iron which changed the colour of it. Didnt seem to harm the fish or horses any though.

 

[Beausmate]

Bit more info http://www.britishgrassland.com/news/crown-rust-seen-north-and-couth

 

[Beausmate]

If you look closely at the grass, you can see the mould on it. When it brushes off onto your boots, it will look quite dust-like.

I've not heard that it's harmful to horses (or any animal), though if they're sensitive to spores, it might aggravate any allergies. You tend to see it on longish grass, in damp areas and around this time of year.