Understanding Ergotism
Ergotism is caused by the ingestion of Claviceps purpurea, a fungus that infects various grasses, including ryegrass, cocksfoot, fog grass, and brome. The toxin produced is an ergot alkaloid. The ergot alkaloid acts as a vasoconstrictor, reducing blood flow to the extremities. It is important to note that ergotism is primarily a vascular disease, rather than a neurological one. Early symptoms include dullness, reduced performance, intermittent lameness due to reduced hoof blood flow, and stiffness not triggered by excitement. As the disease progresses, the horse will show signs of cold ears and a cold tail tip. Other signs will be hair loss, dry cracking skin, sloughing of tail tip, sloughing of ear tip, and possible laminitis due to reduced laminar blood flow and necrosis.
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Diagnostic Support
Inspect seed heads for black, curved ergot sclerotia. Long grass during late summer and early autumn is particularly vulnerable. If there ' s suspicion, tests can be conducted on blood plasma or feed. During testing, evaluate trace minerals to rule out any additional deficiencies. Monitor any signs of lameness with the help of a veterinarian. Maintain a record of all symptoms, regardless of their severity, so you can provide a comprehensive history to your vet.
Management
Move horses off the infected pasture into small yards or paddocks with only vegetative shoots.( no seed heads). Check the hay to see if it is infected and remove any contaminated hay. Avoid grazing any pastures with flowering plants, especially in summer and autumn. Mow or slash long pastures before they flower in future seasons Remove and dispose of cut grass to reduce residual ergot bodies. Avoid feeding mouldy or wet hay- secondary fungal toxins can worsen symptoms.
Nutritional Support
Clean teff, grass or lucerne hay should be fed. Balance the diet with a natural, safe and effective vitamin and mineral mix. Make sure that the ingredients in the vitamin mix are designed for horses on Australian pastures. Look at an overall low sugar diet to prevent laminitis flare ups. Ensure adequate hydration. Your vet may also suggest extra Omega 3 fatty acids such as flax seed oil. Do not feed excess selenium.
Vitamin and mineral mix Low sugar diet Omega 3 fatty acids Detoxification
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2026 AQHA YEARBOOK ~ MAY / JUNE ISSUE