Re: Re:hydration and hay type

["Susan Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

The drooling and skin problems could have been caused by any one of several
semi-toxic plants if your horse ate them (so much for the idea that horses
instinctively know what they need).  The slobbering is caused by a toxin
called slaframine from molds that grow on different legumes, including
clover and potentially on alfalfa (the richness of the alfalfa isn't a
factor, although humidity during growth probably is).

The dermatitis might also possibly have been caused by ingestion of toxic
plants, though alfalfa wouldn't have done it.  Clover could have, especially
alsike, but there are other plants that can also cause that effect.
However, the effect is usually more severe than that, so I couldn't really
say.  Might be worth taking a look at the plants he might have eaten before
you noticed those reactions.  Toxic plants aren't funny.

Susan G
----- Original Message -----
From: <JANUSTUDIO@cs.com>
To: <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>; <Skippykemerer1@aol.com>;
<ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 2:59 PM
Subject: Re: RC: RE: Re: Re: Re:hydration and hay type


> In a message dated 9/14/01 7:06:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> suendavid@worldnet.att.net writes:
>
> <<  patch that produces an alkaloid that causes excessive salivation in
> livestock.  Alsike can cause photosensitization (sunburn on the nose and
> white legs and such.)
>
>    Hope this helps.
>
>    Susan G >>
>
> Could this be the reason my horse had a slight reaction after my last
ride?
> We were home a couple of days and I noticed his skin was flaking off
> everywhere his tack touched him. Back, (Skito pad) breast collar
(biothane).
> Looked like dandruff. He was drooling like a mad dog when I loaded him up
to
> go to the ride. Quit before we arrived. (five hours) He also had trouble
> recovering to parameters at the P/Rs ~ NATRC  48 pulse. Lost points for
the
> first time.
> I do give him 'some' alfalfa at the rides, but as a mix with his grass
hay.
> The alfalfa is KY grown, so not the high powered stuff of the West.
> It was a bit muggy, but not really hot, yet he was damp from sweat just
> standing at the trailer.
> He is a 15.3 H Paint, more the TB type with flatter muscle, but still he
is a
> big guy, so I expect to have a bigger job of cooling him. But, he usually
has
> no trouble coming down to permitters, and his working pulse is the same or
> even lower than my Arab riding buddies.
> Any thoughts ~ suggestions?
>
> Thanks ever so much. I never miss reading your excellent, thoughtful
posts.
> Jan & Rider