Horses love to munch on clover, a sweet legume, but did you know that overconsumption of certain types of clover can potentially be toxic to horses? Different clovers present different challenges for horses.
While healthy stands of white and red clover are not toxic to horses, these plants might harbor a fungus that manifests during stressful growing conditions, such as drought. This fungus produces a harmful mycotoxin. The most common fungus to infect white and red clover is known as “black patch” because of the bronze or black spots it forms on plant stems and leaves. The fungus contains slaframine, a toxin that stimulates the salivary glands and causes excessive drooling, known as “slobbers.” While slaframine is not fatal, horses should be removed from fields if they show signs of slobbers.
A different health concern is associated with alsike clover. Signs of alsike clover toxicity are sensitivity to sunlight, known as photosensitivity, and big liver disease, though the causative agent is unknown. Photosensitivity most often occurs when a horse consumes wet alsike clover. If the horse’s skin is damp or wet, the alsike clover may cause lesions or sores. Swelling of the tongue is also a concern and, at worst, may cause difficulty in chewing or swallowing. Sunburn and reddened skin around the muzzle or unpigmented areas are signs of photosensitivity. Long-term overconsumption of alsike clover may result in an enlarged liver, the result of tissue remodeling and being replaced with connective tissue, which causes progressive loss of liver function. The horse may develop yellowing of the eyes and gums as well as unexplained weight loss.
Other varieties of clover, such as sweet clover (Melilotus species) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), may also cause health problems, with toxicity signs including slobbers, colic, bloating, diarrhea, weakness, abnormal heartbeat, and abortion in pregnant mares.
The immediate treatment for clover toxicity is to remove the affected horse from grazing areas that contain the plant. Other cures or treatments are unknown. Mowing affected fields may help, but removing horses from the source is the best plan of action. Frequently, symptoms resolve quickly once the horse is removed from the clover, but don’t hesitate to contact your vet for an evaluation. If your pasture is overrun with clover, you may need to renovate and reseed it with a pasture mix appropriate for horses.
Consumption of most clover grown in normal environmental conditions is not harmful to horses, especially when it’s one of many plants flourishing in a grazing area. In some instances, clover is impossible to avoid in a pasture. If your horse takes a few bites of clover, especially when mixed with other pasture plants, it is unlikely to produce an adverse reaction. Each horse may also have a different threshold for tolerance before signs of toxicity appear. Your veterinarian should be consulted immediately for an evaluation and diagnosis if any unusual signs appear. Keep a close eye on your horse during grazing season, and check your pastures for signs of potentially toxic plants.
This excessive salivation usually results from horses eating clover infected with Rhizoctonia leguminicola fungus. The fungus produces slaframine, an irritant that makes horses salivate heavily. Unless it's excessive, this overproduction of saliva isn't harmful, and will disappear as the clover becomes dormant.
If harboring sufficient fungal loads, white clover, alsike clover, alfalfa, ladino, and lespedeza can induce slobbering. The fungus produces slaframine, and it is this mycotoxin that actually provokes the extreme salivation.
Clover's energy, protein and fiber content make it a good feed source for horses. Mold-infected clover can cause slobbers, liver damage and bleeding in horses. Mold grows when the temperature is above 80 F and the humidity is above 60 percent. Bleeding only happens in horses eating moldy sweet clover hay.
The fungus produces a toxin called slaframine that stimulates the salivary glands of horses causing them to drool - sometimes in alarming quantities. If the fungus is growing on red clover that is baled for hay, it will persist and can cause horses to drool when they consume the hay.
Traditional treatment options include daily oral medications to diminish saliva production, periodic injections of a medication called Botox for temporary reduction in saliva production, or a variety of open surgical procedures to remove some salivary glands or disconnect others from the mouth.
Horses with alsike clover poisoning may show signs of liver disease; they become nervous, go off feed and show signs of colic. They may also pass brown urine and clay-coloured manure. A horse that eats a large amount of toxin at one time can die from acute liver failure.
Long-term exposure to the alsike clover may lead to big liver syndrome, which is the progressive destruction of the liver. Symptoms of liver failure due to alsike clover consumption include loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, jaundice, colic and death.
Try to reduce the amount of clover in your sward year on year. This very early season high sugar grass can easily set off laminitis in sensitive animals due to the effect that is has on blood glucose and therefore circulating insulin levels.
Generally, herbicide application is recommended while clover is actively growing and before it gets too large. Treatment can also be done in the autumn while it is still green. Care should be taken to keep horses off pasture for at least a month after spraying and preferably until the dead plants have fully decomposed.
Clover and alfalfa are dangerous for horses who are susceptible to laminitis. True. Clover and alfalfa contain relatively high levels of sugars and starch, both in pasture and as part of hay. These nutrients can start the chain of events that leads to digestive laminitis.
When mold-infected clovers are ingested by horses, photosensitivity (sunburn) and liver damage can occur. Sunburn of non-pigmented skin, and also discharge of the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, and vulva, are often the first noticeable signs.
The fungus produces the mycotoxin slaframine which causes the slobbers. It can be present on both pasture and in stored dry hay. The fungus persists on infected fields from year to year. Slaframine will persist in stored hay for 10 months or more; though its biological activity decreases.
Clover can be very high in sugar and starch and is not a good forage for horses with EMS. Thick, properly fertilized grass will keep clover from taking over.
Medical conditions such as acid reflux and pregnancy can increase saliva production. Allergies, tumors, and above-the-neck infections such as strep throat, tonsil infection, and sinusitis can all impair swallowing.
Home remedies: Drinking plenty of water can reduce saliva production. Tooth-brushing and rinsing with mouthwash can also temporarily dry out the mouth.
Common white clover and Ladino white clover are the most popular legumes for horse pastures. Although alfalfa is commonly recommended, it is seldom found in pasture mixes. Red clover is also commonly recommended but most horse owners avoid it because it can cause the slobbers.
Red clover has always been regarded as a most acceptable clover for horses because of its summer growth habit. Always select a low oestrogen variety as infertility has been reported in broodmares grazing high oestrogen varieties. Sub clover is a self-regenerating annual with winter spring growth habit.
Red clover is effective as a pasture legume and for hay. It can withstand more shading in the seedling stage than most other legumes, making it easy to establish in grass sods.
Other varieties of clover, such as sweet clover (Melilotus species) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), may also cause health problems, with toxicity signs including slobbers, colic, bloating, diarrhea, weakness, abnormal heartbeat, and abortion in pregnant mares.
Alsike clover should not be fed to horses in greater than 5% of the feed. Seed mixes intended for horse pastures and hay should not contain alsike clover. Horse owners should be able to recognize the different clovers so that alsike clover poisoning can be prevented.
Alfalfa, white clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are common types of legumes, with alfalfa being the most popular choice. Benefits: Legumes are higher in protein and calcium than grass hay, and may also provide more energy and a higher level of total digestible nutrients, such as vitamin A.
An overweight horse, or one suffering from laminitis, may not have a magnesium deficiency, but adding 30g of cinnamon to its morning feed, and hanging a good mineral lick in the stable to provide magnesium, can correct any such shortage.
A simple strategy to get rid of it would be to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the clover patches. This will deter it from growing and spreading. A quick and affordable option is to use a fast-release fertilizer, which is especially recommended if you have a lot of clover to get rid of.
Spring is traditionally known as a peak time for laminitis, but the latest research shows that the second biggest killer of horses and ponies is an all-year-round threat.
Essential for healthy brain and nerve function, Magnesium helps to promote equine hoof growth; support recovery after exercise; prevent laminitis in horses; and plenty more.
When turning out laminitis-prone horses to graze, turn them out in the early morning and evening because that is when the water-soluble carbohydrate levels are lowest.
Avoid feeds containing high levels of crude protein e.g. alfalfa, soyabean meal, clover. Avoid haylage. Avoid grains (other than cracked / flaked oats and maize). Some complete pure high fibre diet pellets are ok.
The main signs are weight loss, poor appetite, depression, and lethargy. Jaundice, behavioral changes, diarrhea, light sensitivity, and bleeding are occasionally present. Fever may be persistent or intermittent. Microscopic examination of a liver biopsy is needed for a definite diagnosis.
In fact, some common herbs could cause toxic liver disease. Watch out for supplements that contain aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara, chaparral, comfrey, ephedra, or kava.
Leptin. Leptin is a fullness hormone that works by telling your hypothalamus — the portion of your brain that regulates appetite — that you're full ( 18 ). However, people with obesity may experience leptin resistance.
The gland's productions are predominantly controlled by a nerve called the glossopharyngeal nerve which originates in the superior salivatory nucleus of the medulla in the brainstem.
No treatment for slobbers is necessary except for changing the horse's food and limiting its access to pastures that contain infected fungi. Mowing the pasture can help control infected plants and promote healthy regrowth.
Excess saliva isn't only caused by relaxation, but it can be a symptom of poor riding or overexertion. A horse that is overworked may produce foam because that's the body's mechanism for trying to cool itself down quickly – necessary for a flight animal.
It is absolutely normal for a horse to secrete foamy saliva during physical exertion. In fact, this is often considered a positive physical trait because it indicates the horse is relaxed and being ridden correctly. In horses that are tense or have bad posture, the salivary duct is inhibited and their mouth dries out.
If harboring sufficient fungal loads, white clover, alsike clover, alfalfa, ladino, and lespedeza can induce slobbering. The fungus produces slaframine, and it is this mycotoxin that actually provokes the extreme salivation.
These include abnormal fat deposits, usually on the crest, rump and above the eye, excessive urinating and drinking, and potentially developing laminitis. However, if a horse displays these symptoms, it is not always because of insulin resistance.
Timothy grass hay is a good choice for insulin-resistant horses because it tends to be lower in starch. Orchardgrass and Alfalfa are also great selections when you need to monitor the amount of starch your horse consumes.
There are many causes of hypersalivation, including: cerebral palsy,neurodegenerative disorders, vitamin B3 deficiency, gastroparesis, pancreatitis, oral infections, rabies, many medications and several toxins. Hypersalivation is associated with either excess saliva production or decreased clearance.
For the vast majority of cases, slobbers is no more than a nuisance to horse owners. Access to fresh water will prevent dehydration and should always be provided. Other possible causes of excessive salivation can include mouth sores, foreign objects, and reactions to medication.
Symptoms include blister-like lesions on the tongue, mouth lining, nose or lips of an affected horse.Excessive salivation, difficulty in eating and swelling of the coronary band also may be seen. In some cases, the lesions develop on a horse's udder or sheath.
Sialorrhoea is a frequent symptom of neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease, cerebral palsy, and stroke) and is defined as excessive saliva accumulation leading to unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth.
Hypersalivation is best evaluated by a salivary gland specialist. These physicians are experts in diagnosis and treatment of rare and complicated disorders that affect the salivary glands.
Signs of Selenium deficiency may include muscle disease and wasting (frequently perceived as weight loss), impaired movement or difficulty getting up, difficulty swallowing, coughing when eating, respiratory distress and impaired heart function.
One of the most obvious signs of potential copper deficiency is a change in coat colour due to loss of pigmentation. The coat might appear dull, frizzy or discolored with a reddish tinge. Copper deficiency can also cause anemia and weakened blood vessels, bones, or joints in adult horses.
Excessive salivation is a primary sign of stomatitis, along with a reluctance to graze or eat and a decrease in performance related to avoiding the bit. The causes of equine stomatitis and salivation can vary from mild and self-limiting to severe or even fatal in the case of rabies.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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