[Lindsayanne]

If you had a mare who grazed on fescue into her 10th month last year with absolutely not a hint of effects of the toxin last year, would you let her out on a fescue mix pasture (the same one) the next time she was bred?


Last year I didn't have a way to get Ebony off fescue so I had her foaled at a clinic and had planned to treat the toxin preemptively but vet determined she didn't need it. (she had huge amounts of milk, quality colostrum, foaled a little early rather than late, and had a textbook delivery). This year I have something I can turn into a dry lot, but I'm inclined to let the old girl out on the acreage to keep her moving and happy. Do you think that's a responsible decision?

[Jess!]

I would keep her off of it, just in case this year something does happen. But that's just me.

Maybe spread her hay around the dry lot so she has to walk around to eat it? I've done that in the past to try to keep mine moving.

[Mutrok]

You could follow the same protocall 1 millon times without a negative result and the 1,000,001 time it all goes wrong. All it takes is just the right conditions and one time...why take a chance? Given the risks and knowing what you have invested in your breeding program....is it worth it?

[Lindsayanne]

FWIW she's foaling at a clinic this year too, on camera with a vet that sleeps in the barn. She'll go up there 20-40 days before foaling, so she'll definitely be off that long.

[Mutrok]

Well, it is totally up to you but with the number of things that can go wrong during the pregnancy/foaling process I would certainly want to eliminate the known and controlable risk factors.

[loraayn]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

FWIW she's foaling at a clinic this year too, on camera with a vet that sleeps in the barn. She'll go up there 20-40 days before foaling, so she'll definitely be off that long.

I have a mare that was on fescue before I got her and the vet does not think that a mare should be kept on fescue.Hope you find out the right answer,thanks

[Jenje!]

No. It would seem an awful lot like tempting fate for me. I would figure I got lucky the first time and never leave it to "luck" again, because generally I have horrible luck!

[Lindsayanne]

Originally Posted by Jenje!

No. It would seem an awful lot like tempting fate for me. I would figure I got lucky the first time and never leave it to "luck" again, because generally I have horrible luck!

Except as I understand it, luck doesn't really factor in much. Either the mare just isn't sensitive to it, or the pasture doesn't have the toxin.

I'm not set against pulling her off, but I'm not sold that it's the best thing for her either given her past colic and issues with stocking up in the last trimester. I'm leaning towards 12hr in/12hr out and pushing hay.

[Mutrok]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

Except as I understand it, luck doesn't really factor in much. Either the mare just isn't sensitive to it, or the pasture doesn't have the toxin.

But the toxin can lay dormant for several years and then reemerge. You can test the field for the toxin annually. Maybe that would be the way to go???

[Jenje!]

Originally Posted by Lindsayanne

Except as I understand it, luck doesn't really factor in much. Either the mare just isn't sensitive to it, or the pasture doesn't have the toxin.

Horses, like humans, can develop sensitivities/allergies as time goes on.