Pink patch and red thread fungus in grass, is it poisonous?

blodwyn1

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Hi, I have pink patches appearing on my paddocks that I have found out are caused by a fungus. All the advice on line is for lawn maintenance and I can't find out if it's poisonous to horses. Does anyone know?
 

Shay

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Probably best to call your vet - but I don't think so. (Although some of the products used to treat it are!) . I can only find one study on toxicity and the conclusion was that it was not poisonous to rats, sheep or mammalian cells in culture.

ETA - the endophyte poisoning KB refers to is ergotamine based. Red Thread does not prouduce ergoitamine - although many fungi do. But best ask your vet to be sure.
 

JanetGeorge

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Hi, I have pink patches appearing on my paddocks that I have found out are caused by a fungus. All the advice on line is for lawn maintenance and I can't find out if it's poisonous to horses. Does anyone know?

Almost certainly not although it is related to toadstools which are poisonous (never seen any sign that horses eat them - or mushrooms.) Unless you're in a MUCH warmer climate right now it will be dead - needs warm temperatures More important is cause - it develops on nitrogen deficient soil and those with a low pH.
 

blodwyn1

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Almost certainly not although it is related to toadstools which are poisonous (never seen any sign that horses eat them - or mushrooms.) Unless you're in a MUCH warmer climate right now it will be dead - needs warm temperatures More important is cause - it develops on nitrogen deficient soil and those with a low pH.
I am in essex! My grass was burnt off in the summer but this has appeared this week after the heavy rain. I dont fertilise my land as i have welsh cobs one of which is laminitic. The grazing is poor quality which has always suited me up to now! The problem is in the rested areas but the grass has not recovered from the summer drought although it has greened back it hasnt grown.
 

JanetGeorge

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I am in essex! My grass was burnt off in the summer but this has appeared this week after the heavy rain. I dont fertilise my land as i have welsh cobs one of which is laminitic. The grazing is poor quality which has always suited me up to now! The problem is in the rested areas but the grass has not recovered from the summer drought although it has greened back it hasnt grown.

Yep - that increases the problem (laminitis) I would definitely test the pH - lime doesn't increase grass growth to any level but it does keep grass healthier (and discourages the weeds who like a low pH, like dandelions, knotweed, plantains.) And improve aeration (mole plough, root rake do it well.)
 
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