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Discussion on Alfalfa and Blister Beetles reach S. Florida
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New Member:
Bethyg2
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 - 9:17 am:
Saw on the news last night about several horses becoming very ill in Wellington Fla and in Miami (the miami horses died very quickly from ingesting blister beetles- dead ones ). Are we safe if we only feed orchard grass and timothy? (My horses get fat and crazy if I feed them alfalfa so I have avoided it anyway, but they always try to get you to buy the "60-40" mix if that's all that looks good.) Or do we have to make sure it doesn't come from the west? We have been told that the hay we buy is from New York or Virginia, but how can we be sure? The stores probably deal with brokers and you know how that goes....Is there like a receipt we can see? -Beth Gordon, South Florida
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 - 10:11 am:
I buy my hay locally in Tn (orchard and timothy and fescue), but I am wondering about the alfalfa cubes and pellets. I am in the process of adopting a rescue underweight colt who is on alfalfa cubes now. Is there a danger there.
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 - 11:06 am:
Beth,
Did anyone say where the hay was baled? I have T+A from Michigan and the other option is NY but it isn't as green.
I am nervous enough as it is. Now i will have to pick thru the hay. I wonder if there are any outward signs to see. I would suspect the beetles are crushed or cut up.
I work with two feed stores and I would trust they state where they hay is from. One of the stores also has a depot in Wellington. Oh boy.
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Member:
Bethyg2
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 - 12:26 pm:
On the news here in S FL they said the bad hay came from Oklahoma. However as I read up on this issue it can come from anywhere out west or the mid- west, which is where most of the hay comes from. I never heard that Michigan has any but then again it is the mid-west. I am avoiding all alfalfa - not sure if I'm over the top about this or if I have reason for alarm...any Vets out there???
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2003 - 4:45 pm:
Hello Everyone,
Of course we have an article that answers all of the above questions and more, at » Equine Diseases » Colic and GI Diseases » Colic in Horses » Blister Beetle Poisoning.
DrO
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