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Fiona
and Hoyt Purcell purchased a farm near Marshall, N.C.,
with the idea of raising Haflinger horses. After
learning from a Progressive Farmer article about
fescue toxicity in pregnant mares, they had their fescue
tested. It was heavily infected with the endophyte that
causes toxicity.
They've tried to kill the fescue and
replant with orchardgrass, but the new forage didn't
stand up to grazing pressure by horses. As a result, the
Purcells have simply chosen to keep their mares in a
drylot for the last three months before foaling.
Fescue is a challenge for horse owners. It's a common
and hardy forage. However, most fescue plants are
infected with an endophyte fungus that causes serious
problems for pregnant mares and their foals.
Here are the signs of fescue toxicity:
Gestation prolonged by 30 to 60 days leads to abnormally
large foals.
Thickened placental membranes cause the foals to lack
oxygen before delivery.
Mammary glands don't develop correctly, and milk
production is poor.
Foals typically don't have normal suckle reflexes.
Foals that survive delivery die even if well cared for
after birth.
Removing mares from fescue pastures at least two months
before their due dates is recommended. Keeping pregnant
mares in drylots with high-quality hay is a good
alternative to infected fescue pastures. Fescue hay also
can be infected by the endophyte.
Prescription medications can help mares avoid fescue
toxicity complications. Ask your veterinarian for
advice.
Fescue is stubborn, but stands can be killed and
renovated with new fescue varieties that have "friendly"
endophytes. These endophytes protect plants but don't
harm grazing animals. MaxQ is a friendly endophyte
fescue that is widely available.
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