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If you have just lost a grazing horse to a sudden illness, or your horse has rapidly lost condition and is extremely unwell it may have equine grass sickness. EGS is known to recur on previously affected premises so try to find out whether there have been any cases on the premises previously. Remember EGS affects grazing horses, usually aged 3-5 years old and most often in the Spring with a peak of cases in May. EGS has not been proven to occur in foals under 6 months old. A veterinary surgeon should be called to confirm any possible cases of equine grass sickness. Click here to check whether your horse displayed symptoms of EGS.
2. What might have caused equine grass sickness in my horse? At present we do not know what causes equine grass sickness. We know the horse is exposed to a noxious agent while grazing, with recent evidence this agent is present in the soil and is ingested as a contaminant of grass. It is suggested, though not proven, that the aetiological agent is Clostridium botulinum a bacterium which is found commonly within soil. There are various risk factors which increase the likeilhood of EGS occuring such as; pasture disturbance, stress and changeable weather conditions. EGS is not infectious so it will not be spread from horse to horse. Click here for notes on the link between EGS and Botulism.
3. What can I do about equine grass sickness on my premises? Equine grass sickness is known to recur on previously affected premises, especially if cases occurred in the previous 2 years. Minimisation of previously identified risk-factors may help to reduce the likelihood of development of further cases. These risk factors include: full-time grazing, recent movement to new pastures (especially within the last 2 weeks), younger horses, Spring-time and pasture-disturbance. Unfortunately as we do not know at present what causes EGS there are no reliable prevention strategies. Click here for advice on reducing the risk of EGS. |
