Category Archives: Horses

Horses, The Pet Professionals

The Five Freedoms: How can I improve my horse’s life?

As we mentioned in our last Equine blog, horses and donkeys are amazing companions! They support us by giving us unconditional love, helping us with farm and transportation work, and can perform as outstanding athletes in various types of competitions.

As with all other companion species, the Five Freedoms are an essential part of equine welfare and in this blog, we’ll be talking about freedom from hunger and thirst and freedom from pain, injury and disease.

Keep reading to know how you can improve your horse’s life!

Freedom from hunger and thirst

Horses are large ruminants that require the appropriate type and quantity of food for their age, lifestyle, and physical condition (for instance, pregnancy, old age, or chronic illnesses).

Because this can vary so much for each horse and is likely to change during the horse’s life, it’s essential that you keep a close eye on their needs and change how you’re feeding them as needed. This might mean balancing nutrients, introducing supplements or finding better ways to avoid under- or overfeeding.

They also cannot live without water and, in fact, will suffer severe consequences quicker from a lack of water than from bad nutrition. This means that it’s crucial that you provide them with permanent access to fresh water that doesn’t have a bad taste (which might mean your horses drink less than they should) or isn’t accidentally contaminated with chemicals or microorganisms.

If you’re worried about your horse’s nutrition or if he or she has a disease that requires a specific type of food, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet! They can help you ensure your animals are receiving the right type and amount of food to thrive and remain healthy.

Freedom from pain, injury and disease

Discomfort and pain are two major contributors to decreased quality of life and lack of welfare in equines. An essential part of responsible ownership is creating and maintaining the conditions that allow your animals to live their best lives and spend many happy years with you.

  • Here are some of the best ways to ensure that your horses avoid pain, injury and disease:
  • Take a good look at where your horses live, sleep and exercise and make sure that they have a comfortable place to rest, enough space to move around and routines that respect their needs;
  • Schedule preventative veterinary appointments as regularly as needed and consistently be on the lookout for any problems that might come up, like limping, hoof problems or weight variations;
  • If your horse has a chronic health condition, they might require medication and special care from you;
  • Whenever you see an injury or a problem that requires urgent care, contact your vet as soon as you are able!

Join us for our next blog post as we wrap up our series on the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare!

In summary:

  • Respecting the five areas of animal welfare is essential for the health, wellbeing and happiness of your horse;
  • Equines require specific nutrition depending on their age, lifestyle and physical condition as well as permanent access to clean, fresh water;
  • A well-maintained stable, preventative veterinary care and support during medical emergencies as well as during chronic health conditions will ensure that your animals live long and happy lives free from suffering.

 

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Is your horse happy?

Though there’s no such thing as a recipe for equine happiness, there are some basic ingredients that need to be in the mix! These include adequate health care, gentle handling, balanced nutrition, and an environment that allows for quality interactions and all the opportunities required to express their natural behaviour.

Keep reading to learn more about the five domains model of animal welfare and how you can improve your horse’s quality of life!

What are the five domains?

The five domains represent an animals’ five basic welfare needs:

  • Balanced nutrition
  • Preventative and responsive health care
  • Adequate, safe and rich environment
  • Quality behavioural interactions
  • Positive mental state

These are universal to all animal species and were compiled in the 1960s as the five freedoms in response to the livestock production practices at the time.

Over the past 60 years, this concept has evolved alongside our knowledge of animal health, welfare, and behaviour and has since been used to help guide us in caring for animals respectfully!

Nutrition

We are what we eat, and the same is true for horses. A balanced diet is one of the most important pillars of a healthy life, and this involves:

  • A high-quality forage-based diet tailored to the individual horse
  • The correct amount of food and number of meals
  • Clean, fresh water that is always available

Adequate nutrition has an integral part in preventing health problems, such as colic, ulcers and obesity, as well as behavioural issues, as you can stimulate horses’ natural foraging behaviours depending on how you’re providing them with food.

Health care

If your horse is unwell, this will obviously have an impact on their well-being. Conducting a daily health check can be instrumental in seeking veterinary help early. Here are some of the most important aspects to be mindful of:

  • Their demeanour and if they are behaving normally
  • How their body looks (posture, condition, hydration) and feels (temperature, swelling)
  • Any injuries that may be present (making sure to check the mouth and feet)

As for preventative care, vaccinations and parasite treatments are vital for protecting your horse against a range of diseases, and your vet will be happy to arrange a tailored plan for your animal’s specific needs.

Environment

Providing your horse with an adequate and rich environment where they are safe from the elements and predators, and are able to display their natural behaviour is paramount.

Here are some aspects to consider:

  • Is their pasture cared for?
  • Is the horse free to move around?
  • Do they have a comfortable place to rest?
  • Is their access to forage and water adequate?
  • Do they have the opportunity to explore their environment?
  • Can they interact with other horses?
  • Could they benefit from environmental enrichment?

Though general recommendations are great as a starting point, tailoring your horse’s environment to their personality and character can make a world of difference in their happiness, and you’re the best person to know how to do this!

Behavioural interactions

As social animals, horses enjoy the company of other horses and need friends to socialise with.

Though they will be happy just being near other horses, physical contact is very important, too, which is something that naturally happens if they’re allowed to bond.

As for human-horse interactions, it’s key that you have a good understanding of equine behaviour so that you can learn to recognise what your equine friend enjoys doing and provide them with pleasant experiences.

Exploring their environment is another way that horses like spending their time, so make sure they have the opportunity to exercise and move freely.

Mental state

If you do a great job at managing the previous four domains, the result will be a positive mental state, which is what every horse owner is aiming for!

However, sometimes horses can still develop behavioural issues or suffer from high stress despite our best efforts. This may be due to many things, from an undiagnosed illness to a particular need that you didn’t know your horse had that isn’t being met.

These types of problems often take time, patience and the proper professional help to resolve, so don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you are struggling!

Keep an eye on our blog if you’d like to know more about each of the five domains, as we’ll be going into a detailed discussion in upcoming blog posts!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Is Equine Flu a problem?

Have you heard of Equine influenza? Also called Equine flu, this highly infectious disease affects the respiratory system of horses and donkeys, and it can quickly make itself at home in your yard!

These strains of viruses exist all over the UK, sometimes causing outbreaks that have forced many equestrian events to be delayed or cancelled and the halting of any movements of animals in the affected areas. As unvaccinated or otherwise vulnerable horses can suffer from a severe form of this disease, biosecurity and vaccinations are vital to ensure that your horses won’t be severely ill or prevented from entering competitions.

Learn everything about Equine influenza and how to stop it from entering your yard in our blog post.

What is equine influenza?

In the UK, this disease is commonly caused by two Equine influenza virus strains, the H7N7 and the H3N8. As with other viruses, these tend to continuously mutate and become more adept at causing larger-scale infections or outbreaks.

If your horse gets infected, you can spot:

  • Fever;
  • Depression and decreased appetite;
  • Persistent dry cough;
  • Clear nasal discharge that might evolve into a thick mucus discharge.

Animals that are young, unvaccinated or that have compromised immunity are more likely to suffer from a severe or even debilitating form of Equine influenza, possibly requiring veterinary intervention to avoid breathing issues or more severe respiratory infections.

Should I be worried that my horses might catch it?

Equine flu is a concern for all horse owners!

Equine influenza is endemic to the UK and extremely contagious, being able to spread from infected horses to your whole herd in no time. This is particularly important for owners who often travel to shows or events where many horses are gathering.

However, even if your horse never leaves his or her enclosure and you bring no other animals in, they are still at risk of getting or spreading this virus as it’s also very easy to catch it from droplets in the environment. Shared equipment, clothes, tack or bedding can all be important sources of infection, which means that any visitors to your yard might bring this disease with them.

Is there anything I can do to prevent equine influenza?

Vaccination is the best way to help prevent any issues with equine flu, and it is recommended that all horse owners vaccinate against it regularly. Not only will it help significantly to reduce the risk of serious illness but it will also increase herd immunity, helping prevent future outbreaks across the country.

In addition to a good vaccination programme, it’s recommended that you have effective cleaning, monitoring and quarantine protocols in place to limit viral spread.

If you’re concerned with the biosecurity in your yard, your vet can help you identify any points that could be improved and put better measures in place, so you can avoid not only Equine influenza but many other infectious diseases!

In summary:

  • Equine influenza is a common viral infection that can cause severe problems in yards;
  • We recommend you keep all of your horses vaccinated against Equine Influenza, even if they do not contact any other horses;
  • If your horse travels frequently or you often bring in new animals to your property, don’t forget to vaccinate, quarantine and watch them as needed;
  • In the case that one of your animals is struggling with breathing, fever or lethargy, don’t forget to talk to your vet as soon as you are able!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Protect your horse from parasites!

Internal parasites in horses are everywhere, and sooner or later, your animals will find themselves infested with one of the many species of worms that are prevalent in the UK. These can cause a lot of problems such as gastrointestinal discomfort, weight loss and might even migrate to other organs, increasing the risk of fatal complications.

There are several products available to treat these nasty infections, but it’s important that you use them correctly to avoid parasite resistance, making it easier for everyone to protect their yards.

Carry on reading to find out more about parasites and how to minimise the risk in your herd.

Could my horse be infected right now?

As we’ve mentioned, worms exist in the environment and having parasite problems at some point is common for the vast majority of yard owners. These parasites are often present in the pastures, migrating to your animals’ digestive tract or lungs and then being shed back onto the pasture to infect other horses.

To know if your horses are infected, your vet will want to evaluate their risk profile and is likely to recommend the following procedures:

  • Faecal worm egg counts, which are usually done between the spring and autumn;
  • Antibody tests for tapeworms (if needed) or cyathostomins;
  • Testing for pinworm.

By testing regularly, you will be able to know the real parasite burden in your yard and treat it accordingly.

Are dewormers safe and effective?

There are several compounds that are safe and effective to treat the many types of worms your horse might have.

However, you must talk to your vet before deworming your herd and follow their instructions, as improper use of dewormer medication can lead to increased parasite resistance. This means that the same drug stops being as effective over time, leading to issues controlling worms in your yard.

The populations of multi-resistant parasites also migrate to and from your horses, increasing this problem for everyone! Currently, many drugs are no longer able to adequately control worms. To avoid worsening this situation, it is recommended that owners test and only treat if necessary.

How can I help prevent parasite diseases in my yard?

As worms are spread via faeces, you must have the correct pasture and paddock management practices to minimise contact with eggs or infective larvae.

Every yard has its own needs, which will inform what you need to do to reduce the burden on your animals. However, in general, experts recommend that you:

  1. Remove faeces regularly to prevent larvae from developing;
  2. Ensure you rotate pastures, allowing them to be free of horses for several months each year;
  3. Enforce good quarantine and testing protocols when receiving new animals and maintain an acceptable density of horses per paddock;
  4. Speak to your vet about the special needs of gestating mares and foals, as they are at a higher risk for parasite complications.

If you’re struggling with worm control or are concerned with your animals’ health, don’t hesitate to contact your vet!

They can help you determine what might be wrong and find the best way to tackle the problem effectively.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Have you heard of Equine Metabolic Syndrome?

If you have a horse with the tendency to gain weight easily, especially around the neck, then he or she might have Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)!

This syndrome is caused by insulin dysregulation, and it affects your horse’s ability to use blood sugar adequately, especially when he or she has access to feed or pastures that are high in carbohydrates.

Unfortunately, Equine Metabolic Syndrome can put your horse at significant risk of laminitis and it might interfere with fertility if not managed adequately in predisposed animals.

Keep reading to learn more about how to spot this problem in your herd and how to prevent it.

What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome?

While no known cause has been found for Equine Metabolic Syndrome, researchers believe it might have been an adaptation of certain horse populations to scarce food supplies. This genetic disposition is great for times when there isn’t much food, as it allows animals to use calories more efficiently, but it becomes a problem in the modern world of abundant feed and lush pastures.

The main feature of this syndrome is a problem in regulating insulin, a hormone that controls, among other things, the concentration of blood sugar. When these horses ingest feed high in carbohydrates, they produce an excessive amount of insulin, which can cause several problems, such as laminitis, obesity and infertility.

You might spot these signs:

  • Obesity;
  • Episodes of laminitis;
  • Fat deposition in specific places such as the back of the neck or rump;
  • Less appetite, which can lead to liver damage and metabolic issues;
  • Lethargy;
  • Increased thirst and urination;
  • Reproductive difficulties in mares.

Even though excessive weight and ease of weight gain are characteristic of EMS, many thin horses also suffer from this disorder. However, they might still have characteristic fat deposits on the neck and near the tail.

Can this cause severe laminitis?

When you suspect something might be wrong, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Laminitis is one of the most severe consequences of untreated EMS, and it can lead to continuous episodes of worsening hoof health. This, as many owners know, can lead to irreversible loss of mobility and, eventually, untenable quality of life.

Treating and preventing episodes of EMS can be challenging, especially in horses that have had several episodes of acute laminitis and have difficulty exercising, but the sooner you can start this, the better.

How can I prevent Equine Metabolic Syndrome?

Horses that are predisposed to insulin dysregulation need to be carefully managed with the proper diet and exercise regimen. Your vet or nutritionist will help you to analyse your feed and will advise limiting pasture access, especially during spring and summer.

Weight loss is encouraged but speak to your vet in order to figure out the best way to do this, as sudden severe restrictions and significant increases in exercise can cause more problems than they solve.

It’s vital for horses suffering from metabolic issues to have adequate supportive therapy whilst they recover.

Preventing EMS can be challenging, which is why it’s essential to talk to your vet about whatever difficulties you might be experiencing in order to find out the best way to keep your horses healthy.

 

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Could you be overtraining your horse

Have you ever heard of chronic fatigue in horses? This problem can come from situations like overtraining, which can be a severe issue for your horse’s sporting career!

Training creates a lot of physical and mental stress that must be balanced with proper rest and recovery time to avoid fatigue. No matter how tempting it is to try and get in every bit of work possible, doing so has a significant chance of being harmful to your horse.

Keep reading to learn the signs and consequences of chronic overtraining and how to help your equine athletes avoid this problem.

Spotting fatigue in horses

So, what is the difference between your horse being tired from a great training session and suffering from fatigue?

When he or she is tired, this can often be fixed by resting for a day or two and then returning to exercise.

In contrast, fatigue is often the consequence of intensive training or work without taking the proper time to rest, causing significant physiological and psychological changes in animals. This condition is vital for owners of working horses to know about as it can take a long time to recover from fatigue, especially in cases of repeated overtraining.

Owners and trainers should be on the lookout for:

  • Poor or decreased performance, especially later in the season;
  • Loss of body mass, which can be as severe as 10% of body weight;
  • Higher than expected heart rates during exercise that take longer to return to normal when at rest;
  • Changes in behaviour include refusal to follow commands or cooperate, being reluctant to continue exercising, lack of interest in interacting with other horses and more episodes of bad or irritable moods.

Once you suspect that your horse might be fatigued or at risk of suffering from chronic fatigue, you should take measures to reduce your horse’s stress and work as best as you can.

Of course, all of these signs might be due to an unrelated underlying condition. Your vet will perform the physical exams and tests necessary to rule out any other causes of poor performance, and they can advise you on what to do next if chronic fatigue is the likely culprit.

Avoiding overtraining

Due to the profound changes in performance and motivation that chronic fatigue can induce in your horses, avoiding overtraining is vital to any training schedule.

Experts warn that it may take months to years for horses to recover from chronic overtraining, and there is a real chance that they may never fully recover.

One of the best ways to help avoid this is to ensure that he or she has enough time for rest and recovery in their work schedule.

It’s also essential to reduce the possible sources of stress in your horse’s life, such as constantly changing routines, extensive travelling or confinement, lack of socialisation with other horses or having to deal with incompatible pasture mates, to name a few.

If you’re unsure how to help your horses find their balance of rest, stress reduction and training, the best thing to do is ask your vet for help!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Keep Equine Herpes Virus away from your herd!

Equine Herpes Virus is a concern for horse owners everywhere, especially for working animals who travel and have a greater chance of contacting other infected horses or for yards which often bring in new horses.

This viral disease can cause debilitating respiratory or neurological problems and is highly contagious, which is why every owner needs to know what Equine Herpes Virus is and how to keep it away from their herd!

Keep reading to learn about this problem and how to protect your horses from being infected.

What is EHV?

The Equine Herpes Virus is highly contagious and has nine different strains, with EHV-1 and EHV-4 being the most commonly seen variants.

This virus spreads through contaminated droplets in the air and can affect the respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems.

Depending on the strain that your horse has been infected with, you might see the following:

  • High fevers of over 38.5 ºC;
  • Nasal discharge and cough;
  • Difficulty walking;
  • Being unable to get up or stand;
  • Abortions, often suddenly and without any previous signs;

EHV has no specific treatment, and your vet will provide supportive therapy to help your horse make the best recovery possible.

Horses with milder respiratory issues are more likely to recover from EHV, but it might take a few weeks to fully get better. However, when animals are experiencing severe neurological impairment, such as limb paralysis or inability to stand, they might never improve, and euthanasia is likely to be the only outcome.

What to do if you suspect your horse has EHV?

It’s vital that owners call their vets as soon as they suspect one of their horses might be infected with EHV.

Vets will be able to confirm this disease by collecting nasal and blood samples and will suggest the next steps, such as isolating all horses that have been in contact with the infected horse, either directly or indirectly and keeping a close eye on their temperatures.

Because EHV can spread quickly and provoke outbreaks, inform any yards or owners who might have come in contact with your infected horse.

How to prevent EHV in your herd

As we’ve mentioned, EHV can severely impact the health of your horses and might even easily spread to neighbouring yards. Plus, it can cause significant disruption to your routine, as you will need to isolate and quarantine horses until they are disease-free, which can take several weeks.

Vaccinating your animals can protect against EHV-1 and EHV-4, preventing abortion caused by EHV and respiratory disease in younger horses.

This virus can be transmitted by direct contact between horses, but it can also be spread through their environment. Due to this fact, proper biosecurity is vital to prevent the spread of EHV, and this might include disinfecting shared equipment or ensuring visitors wear clean clothes and shoes.

If you’re concerned about Equine Herpes Virus, don’t hesitate to speak to your vet. They can help you establish the best biosecurity measures and advise you on how and when to vaccinate your horses.

Key points to prevent and treat Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1 and EHV-4):

  • Maintain good biosecurity at all times in your yard to minimise the chances of this disease;

  • The most common signs are high temperature, lethargy and coughing but they may also include nervous system problems, which can be debilitating;

  • If you suspect one of your animals has EHV, isolate him or her, contact your vet as soon as possible and let people know you have an outbreak so they can monitor their herd;

  • Vaccinate your horses appropriately and ensure they have good medical care and clean living conditions.
Horses, The Pet Professionals

Protect your horses from redworm!

Cyathostomins are also called redworms, and they are one of the most common intestinal parasites in horses in the UK.

These parasites can cause severe issues in highly infested horses due to the mass migration of larvae from their burrows in the intestinal wall during early spring. This means that diagnosing, treating and preventing this disease is vital for the health of your herd.

Read our blog to learn more about protecting your horse and yard from these small parasites.

What signs can I spot in my horses?

Due to the lifecycle of cyathostomins, the ingested larvae will produce cysts in the intestinal wall, where they will wait for the right time to emerge.

As they migrate out of their cysts, often in vast numbers, there is the chance for significant damage to the large intestine, and you can find horses with:

  • Sudden weight loss;
  • Lethargy;
  • Diarrhoea;
  • Colic;
  • Oedema.

In severe cases, horses may die suddenly! Animals under five years old may be more predisposed to having more significant clinical signs, though this disease can affect horses of any age.

The destruction and severe inflammation of the intestinal mucosa after the larvae emerge might make treating larval cyathostominosis a long process, and your vet is likely to suggest supportive treatment as well as a tailored deworming programme.

How can I help protect my horses from larval cyathostominosis?

Depending on the weather, redworm larvae are likely to migrate out of the mucosa during the late winter or early spring. They are often inactive during the winter months, and as they start emerging causing problems in your horses, their detection can be difficult.

Diagnosing larval cyathostominosis can involve blood testing, faecal analysis, ultrasound exams and other tests as your vet works to rule out other common causes of diarrhoea in horses.

As mentioned above, treatment involves a deworming protocol that is specifically made for your horses and their needs. Unfortunately, many parasites have developed resistance to the dewormers that we have available, so we must use these drugs correctly, in a controlled, efficient manner and avoid overusing them.

Another way to help protect your animals is by reducing the chances of them contacting these parasites in the first place. This might involve improved pasture and manure management as well as avoiding overcrowding in the yard.

If you are struggling with redworm and other types of parasite disease in your horses, it’s vital to work closely with your vet to find the best yard management and deworming protocols to reduce the parasite load.

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Keeping your horses comfortable in the cold

Horses are hardy animals, being able to handle cold and dreary days that would make the rest of us miserable.

However, they still have their limits and sensibilities, so to avoid unnecessary problems during the bad weather season, give your yard and routines a check-up!

Read on to learn about the best ways to keep your horses comfortable this winter.

Keep an eye out on the weather

Not all bad days are created equal! Horses are very good at resisting low temperatures, but when you compound these with rain or wind, the chill factor increases exponentially.

Animals who are wet and exposed to cold winds will start suffering the ill effects of the cold temperature much sooner, and it’s vital to prevent this before it causes serious problems.

Don’t leave your horses outside during these days, and ensure that they always have a dry, windproof shelter to retreat to when the weather is unpleasant.

Also important is making sure that there is always fresh, non-frozen water for them to drink. When days and nights are consistently below freezing, this is a big concern as water supply lines might get damaged, and their drinking troughs might not thaw out.

Don’t stop your exercise routines

While dreary winter days are not particularly inviting for long rides in the beautiful countryside, horses still require regular exercise to avoid obesity, hoof issues, such as laminitis or even stress due to a lack of mental enrichment.

It’s essential to not cut exercise out during this time. Even though you need to be careful when riding out on difficult terrain and keep outings shorter, ensuring your horses get the proper exercise will help keep them healthy all year-round.

These regular interactions and exercise times are also an excellent way to observe hooves and limbs for bruises, abscesses, injuries or any other problems that might develop due to the snow and mud.

Look out for the most vulnerable members of your herd

Elderly horses, young foals and sick animals are especially vulnerable during this time of the year.

Because their capacity to handle cold is diminished, bad weather can cause serious problems much sooner than for adult, healthy horses. Please pay special attention to their needs during this time and act as soon as you see something might be wrong!

Winter and the punishing weather it brings can be challenging for you and your horses. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet about your concerns, and they can help you tackle this better with a well-formulated yard management and exercise plan!

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Horses, The Pet Professionals

Sycamore toxicity in horses

Sycamore toxicity happens when horses ingest the leaves and seeds of sycamore trees, which causes a potentially lethal problem called atypical myopathy.

Due to the unusual weather over the summer that has caused a boom of sycamore seeds, the British Equine Veterinary Association has sent out a warning for owners to be careful when letting their horses graze around sycamores.

Keep reading to know more about atypical myopathy and how to help avoid this problem.

What is atypical myopathy?

When horses ingest sycamore seeds, leaves or seedlings, these contain a toxin called hypoglycin A, which targets and destroys muscle cells. As it causes severe muscular damage, including to the muscles in the heart, atypical myopathy is often fatal!

With only a 30% to 40% chance of survival, prompt medical care is essential to give your horses the best chance to make it through sycamore poisoning.

Clinical signs usually show up as:

  • Depression and struggling to walk or even stand;
  • Breathing and heart problems;
  • Colic like signs but animals are still eating;
  • Urine with a brown or dark red colour.

These signs might be seen in several animals at the same time. However, not all horses are affected in the same way despite potentially ingesting the same amount of toxins, and the reason why some horses are more resistant than others is still under investigation.

Detecting these signs and calling your vet as soon as possible is vital to ensure your horses survive. There is no specific treatment, but animals that improve after the initial event are likely to recover without complications.

How can I help my horses avoid sycamore poisoning?

Autumn and winter are the times of the year when leaves and seeds fall onto the pastures, creating many chances for horses to ingest these dangerous materials.

This is why pasture management is fundamental to reducing the chances of your horses contacting toxins while grazing.

The best way to do this is to avoid letting your herd graze on pastures with sycamores nearby during their season or fence off the areas where these trees are present. If this is not possible, clearing fallen leaves and seeds, as well as providing adequate supplementary forage during the autumn, will help them not ingest toxic substances.

If you’d like to test your pasture for the presence of hypoglycin A, you can ask your vet on how to collect a sample to submit to the RVC Comparative Neuromuscular Diseases Laboratory.

Key takeaways

Sycamore poisoning is often seen during the autumn and winter months due to the falling of sycamore leaves, seeds and seedlings onto pastures. Due to the unusual weather this summer, sycamores may have produced an abundance of seeds and caused a spike in atypical myopathy cases. Keep an eye out for your horses and if you have any concerns, call your vet to help minimise the risk of intoxication.