Ridecamp: [RC] Pasture

I don't have pasture, but I recently had a problem with alfalfa I purchased.
I had the hay for a while & had been feeding it.  I wasn't thrilled with the
quality, but it was what was available at the time.  I noticed my endurance
horse had a little blood on his mouth after a ride.  I checked, but couldn't
see anything.  He was about due for a vet check, so I thought maybe his
teeth needed floating again.

We got our shots, sheath cleaned, & I mentioned the blood.  Well, after the
vet had him sedated & his head cranked up, we could see all kinds of sores
in his mouth.  The vet knew immediately that it was a contaminate in the
hay.  Something called California Foxtail ...something.  It wasn't a typical
foxtail, it was very small  - shaped like a bottle brush.  He said to check
for it on the ground by the feeders.  Sure enough, there it was.  I was able
to pry my other horse's mouths open & see some sores.  I had about 30 bales
left, but had ordered some 3-way.  I had asked about selling it for cattle &
he said that would be ok.

I am now feeding the 3-way with good results.  All the sores have cleared up
nicely with no treatment other than switching hay.  I was told it primarily
infests alfalfa & is seldom found in other hay.  Has anyone else had this
problem?  Luckily I found someone to take the other hay off my hands (but
for half what I paid).  It just shows you have to watch all your feed, not
just your pasture.

Kathy Garner



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