AT this time of year, many horse owners around the country are preparing their farms for the winter months ahead. Bedding and forage is being stockpiled, winter rugs are being cleaned and repaired, horses are being tested and treated for tapeworm, vaccinations, teeth and feet are all being checked, but how many horse owners are going out and inspecting their paddocks for sycamore trees on or near their grazing land?

In 2014, as much as 100 horses are thought to have died in Ireland due to sycamore seed poisoning, also known as equine atypical myopathy. In 2015 this figure jumped to 200 fatalities. Last year the figures seemed to drop, which is positive, however what is worrying is that we don’t know why there are such fluctuations in the figures.

There has been no such crisis this year though the first case of equine atypical myopathy has been observed. Last week, Troytown GreyAbbey (TTGA) veterinary hospital, based in Co Kildare, reported their first case, where, sadly, a two-year-old colt died as a result of the poisoning.

According to Warren Schofield, veterinary surgeon at TTGA, this disease has a high death rate and seeds are just starting to fall now, so if you have horses and ponies out in paddocks have a look around for the sycamore trees and take action now before it’s too late.

TAKE ACTION

If feasible, remove horses from paddocks where sycamore or other maple trees are growing during the risk period (autumn and early spring) and regularly inspect fields to ensure seeds have not blown in from nearby sycamore trees. Limit turnout to less than 12 hours per day during the risk period and avoid over-grazing pastures. Where grazing is limited, supply extra forage (hay or haylage).

If you cannot remove horses from paddocks where sycamore trees are growing then fence off areas where sycamore seeds and/or leaves are falling and pick up them up and remove them when possible. Again, provide consistent access to clean, palatable hay or haylage to minimise the risk of horses being tempted to ingest seeds.

Be aware that felling trees can lead to massive pasture contamination, further increasing the risks to horses.

Horses kept in sparse grass paddocks with an accumulation of dead sycamore leaves, dead wood and trees in or around the pasture and without access to supplementary hay or feed, are the most susceptible.

SIGNS OF POISONING

Initial signs of sycamore seed poisoning can be mistaken for colic and the disease has a rapid progression, killing between 70-80% of affected horses within 48 hours. So if you have any suspicion that your horse might be suffering from sycamore poisoning call your vet immediately. Common signs of poisoning include:

Horses diagnosed by blood and urine tests can be treated successfully, but once the signs are present it is already serious, so do not hesitate to contact your vet. A lot will depend on how much poison is present in the horse’s body and how quickly the horse recieves treatment.