PurBee
Well-Known Member
As its seasonally repeating, specifically this time of year - i dont know what area/climate youre in, but im west ireland wet climate, and the past 6 weeks we’ve had ergot (claviceps purpurea) fungus developing and sprouting on the seed heads of long grass that didnt get cut in the summer. Theyve now mostly all dropped off into the grass due to wind/storms/cold-weather seed-drop.
It can be visually seen with the naked eye, and looks like mouse droppings growing out the top of long grass seed head stalks.
The grass species it grows on mostly is ryegrass heads, tall fescue, and late summer will infect sweet vernal grass too.
If my horses had access to those areas theyd be at risk of toxicity from it. There are many ergot alkaloids - all causing various symptoms. The main one studied because it affects breeding cattle/equine/sheep/goats too, is ergovaline. This mainly causes lack of milking. Yet the initial symptoms are high temp and lack of appetite. Cold extremities, hooves, ears, clouding of eyes are symptoms in mammals without youngstock.
The other alkaloids within ergot are wide and varied with various symptoms. Some affect the CNS.
You can rule this toxicity out if all the areas your horses have been grazing dont have any long grass seed heads remaining from summer growth. If they do, insoect closely the seed heads looking for black 3-5mm ‘seeds’ growing out the top.
Due to the storms the ergot may have all dropped but you should find evidence on some seed heads near sheltered hedges, if you have ergot.
If it is ergot, pulling them off it is all you can do, and wait for the seed heads to fall and rot or speed-up the process with topping the grazing. Not allowing return to grazing until all has rotted away and new growth appears.
As your horse has recovered in the inbetween months, and only gets this re-triggered this time of year, it does suggest a mild toxicity/dose they’re ingesting, and can recover from, which is good news.
It can be visually seen with the naked eye, and looks like mouse droppings growing out the top of long grass seed head stalks.
The grass species it grows on mostly is ryegrass heads, tall fescue, and late summer will infect sweet vernal grass too.
If my horses had access to those areas theyd be at risk of toxicity from it. There are many ergot alkaloids - all causing various symptoms. The main one studied because it affects breeding cattle/equine/sheep/goats too, is ergovaline. This mainly causes lack of milking. Yet the initial symptoms are high temp and lack of appetite. Cold extremities, hooves, ears, clouding of eyes are symptoms in mammals without youngstock.
The other alkaloids within ergot are wide and varied with various symptoms. Some affect the CNS.
You can rule this toxicity out if all the areas your horses have been grazing dont have any long grass seed heads remaining from summer growth. If they do, insoect closely the seed heads looking for black 3-5mm ‘seeds’ growing out the top.
Due to the storms the ergot may have all dropped but you should find evidence on some seed heads near sheltered hedges, if you have ergot.
If it is ergot, pulling them off it is all you can do, and wait for the seed heads to fall and rot or speed-up the process with topping the grazing. Not allowing return to grazing until all has rotted away and new growth appears.
As your horse has recovered in the inbetween months, and only gets this re-triggered this time of year, it does suggest a mild toxicity/dose they’re ingesting, and can recover from, which is good news.
