EPM or Australian Stringhalt?

[lildunhorse]

There is a really good article in the new Equus magazine, January edition, about a case in Virginia that was originally thought to be EPM. Further investigation revealed that it was not EPM, but Australian Stringhalt, a condition caused by the toxic effects of 'Fuzzy Cat's Ear', a plant that is quite common here in Washington State, and other states as well.
It would be prudent to thumb through the new issue and take a good look at the photograph of the plant itself, if you are not familiar with it. It is also called 'False Dandelion'. Familiarizing yourself with the plant and the symptoms of Australian Stringhalt could possibly save your horse's life!

[lildunhorse]

Yes, CG, I was telling the folks in chat last night about that article and how the picture of the mare and foal in the holding pen reduced me to a puddle of tears.

[rainydayride]

certifiedgirl said:

Did you see the article on horse slaughter in that issue (I believe)- they mentioned that the majority of horses sent to slaughter are not old racing TBs but actually QH's that had been thru several owners- I thought that was interesting as it seems to be be exactly what we've seen go thru the feedlots- and I still find that surprising.

Yes, the stats I've seen show that the vast majority of horses going to slaughter in/from the US are QHs. I've been reading After the Finish Line (thanks GwenR), learning more about various efforts to rehome TBs while knowing that AQHA and QHs breeders just seem to want to keep the pipeline open.

[critterseverywhere]

Thanks for posting this lildun. Now I need to get ahold of that article and do some serious research cross-referencing latin names & common names. What we call 'false dandelion' around here is pretty much ubiquitous in pastures & lawns around here and it's a preferred snack for horses, sheep, deer, elk, etc (can't figure out how the dang things manage to bloom...every hooved critter seems intent on nipping off the blossoms as fast as they can ). I haven't seen any side effects from it but need to get cracking on some research! Thanks again for the heads-up!

[lildunhorse]

You're very welcome. And the botanical name is Hypochoeris radicata. (Honey is a plant geek. )