| At this precise moment in time, I can't give you too much
information about grass sickness. However there is a government
establishment who have undertaken research into this illness.
I have contacted their expert Mr J Gilmar, for some definative information,
and will pass this on when it arrives.
However I will quote from an article in The HEAVY HORSE WORLD magazine.
"Grass sickness is usually traced to an outbreak at an army remount
depot at Barry in the county of Angus in 1909, but grass sickness
expert James Gilmar, FRCVS, speculates that previous sporadic case had
been attributed to colic. This probably still happens in areas where
vets are not alert to the danger of grass sickness.
He summarises the highlights of the disease:-
1. Grass sickness is normally regarded as a fatal disease
affecting members of the horse family.
2. Animals under seven years, at grass, and recently acquired,
comprise high risk populations.
3. No known treatment cures grass sickness: some lowering
of the risk may be achieved by stabling.
4. Spread of the disease by contact with affected animals
is thought not to occur.
5. A toxic factor associated with grazing is thought to be
involved in the cause. "
(This quote is part of an article on Grass sickness in the
Winter 1989 edition of Heavy Horse World magazine, and has been
copied without permission)
The Moredun Research Institute is the centre of a new drive to
find a cure fr grass sickness, and an appeal has been launched to
fund further research.
The address of the Institute, for those that are interested in
making a donation, is:
Animal Disease Research Associate Equine Research & Grass
Sickness Fund,
The Moredun Research Institute,
408 Gilmerton Road,
Edinburgh.
Scotland.
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| This illness is only called "Grass Sickness" as the first horse
who caught it was out in a paddock eating grass!
There is no apparent reason for a horse to 'catch it', but if
it does, within 5-6 hours the horse is dead, (acute Grass Sickness
that is). It mainly affects young horses, and is not catching, as
my colt had been grazed/stabled with her for over a year. You also
can't have your horse checked for it, as, What do you look for?
There are many different symtoms, the main one is constipation..
There has NEVER been a case in Hampshire (UK) until my mare, but
thirty years ago there was one in Berkshire.
Theres loads more I could tell you, but right now its hard to think
straight.
Jayne
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