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  Discussion on Updated Article: Fescue Toxicity
Author Message
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008 - 12:19 pm:

For some time now pregnant mares have had an increasing frequency of foaling problems when fed tall fescue hay or pasture their last trimester of pregnancy and has been labelled fescue toxicity. The problems seen have been abortion, prolonged gestation, agalactia (failure to produce milk), and weak newborn foals. The fungus Acremonimum coenophialum, which grows inside the tissues of fescue grass, was identified as the culprit and produces a toxin that effects the normal hormone levels of the mare. This fungus is called an "endophyte" because it lives in the grass tissues and therefore can not be seen. Most fescue is infected but to varying degrees. This article deals with prevention and treatment of this growing problem including pasture management, the use of endophyte free fescues, prevention and treatment of lactation failure. For more see the article by clicking "Fescue Toxicity and Lactation Failure" on the navigation bar above.
DrO
Member:
freshman

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008 - 4:22 am:

Having seen many neighbors and other horse folks lose foals due to this phenomenon, I wish there would be some sort of public announcement regarding fescue this time of year. Something like "Time to take your mares off fescue!" scrolling across the screen of the six o'clock news. Or at least posted at the co-ops and TSC's that all}} owners must frequent.

Perhaps there will be less fpt, dummy foals, and other probs in the south this year since so many had to import different hays from the mid-west, canada, etc this year due to the DrOught--there wasn't as much fescue anyway!

Otherwise, it's a losing battle trying to get the word out to people, hard as it is to believe, and even tougher to get them to believe that they actually have to do something different than what they've done for years, that it's really necessary to dry lot these mares, and that they'll have to get different hay just for them.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008 - 7:32 am:

Back in the early 80's people who had breeding mares for decades on fescue, the only grass grown around here at that time, all of a sudden starting experiencing problems. I still remember the incredulous looks when I explained the fescue was toxic and likely getting worse which is why they are now having problems they had not experienced before. Often it took two cases with classic signs on a farm before they would listen but now in our area there are very few who are not aware.
DrO
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