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  Discussion on BLISTER BEETLE POISONING
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Posted on Wednesday, Dec 19, 2001 - 11:20 pm:

We have been so careful to ensure our hay does not contain fescue since we have 2 broodmares but now after reading the articles on Blister Beetle poisoning I'm concerned we should not have purchased alfalfa hay. We just put up 100 bales and have now fed the mares for one week. So far there have been no problems. Last year we fed alfalfa from a farmer whose field is about 15 miles from where we got this year's hay. We live "out in the sticks" in Missouri and short of sending parts of every bale to an entimologist how in the world can we tell if the hay is infested if the beetles have been crushed? We just attended a symposium on horse care and heard from several PhD and DVM presenters that alfalfa is one of the most nutritious hays to feed but most people don't use it because it is expensive. After reading the information on the web site I wish we could send back all the hay. I need to be reassured!!

Posted on Thursday, Dec 20, 2001 - 6:06 am:

If you just focus on the problems with any particular foodstuff you will decide that it is best not to feed horses at all:
Fescue toxicity
Blister beetles in alfalfa
Increase incidence of colic with coastal
Borderline low protein in timothy and orchard grass for broodmares and growing horses.

Other than watching the hay carefully as you feed there really is no way to check for blister beetles. Having small areas of the hay checked is probably not helpful as the beetles concentrate in small areas of the bale.

As the article instructs you, this is an occasional, isolated problem when feeding alfalfa. Even though in some states it is the number one reported poisoning in horses, considering the amount of alfalfa fed in this country to horses, the chance you will have this problem is very low. If you are looking for meaningful reassurance you need to investigate the incidence of blister beetles in your surrounding areas. Probably the best sources for your locale would be your local veterinarian and your local extension agent.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Dec 20, 2001 - 10:03 am:

Thanks so much. I will check with the local extension agent and look for "beetle parts" as I feed the hay.
Jane
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