pregnant mares cannot have fescue hay . what about fescue grass?
she is due in about 4 or 5 weeks . i dont want her to have anything that would hurt the baby. i would appeciate any input on the subject
she is due in about 4 or 5 weeks . i dont want her to have anything that would hurt the baby. i would appeciate any input on the subject
Anonymous
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Fescue hay is cut from fescue grass...
If she's on fescue grass, get her off it. Endophyte toxicity suppresses the endocrine system.
The endophyte infects the growing grass and, perversely, it makes the grass stronger and more resistant to stress, drought, etc. A lot of people assume that the hay molds after it's cut and that's where the toxicity comes from. It's actually in the hay while it's growing.
90 days is given as the minimum time to get a pregnant mare off fescue and give her body a chance to get back some normal hormone activity.
She may not produce milk (agalactic), she could go long past her due date, the placenta could be very thick and tough and the foal be unable to breakout.
If you think she's been on infected fescue, alert your veterinarian. Be prepared.
*******B.B., I swear I did not copy your first line! ( great minds with a single thought...)
twhrider
Nope. No fescue. It's not really the fescue, it's an endophyte on the fescue. But regardless, the problem is the same. I'd just put her on a dry lot, and feed her good quality hay that doesn't contain fescue.
?
Get her off NOW. Immediately. Not all, but most fescue contains an endophyte that prevents lactation. So you get to watch the colt stave to death because momma doesn't have any milk. Get something else this morning and pray she doesn't foal for a few more weeks. She'll have a bag and no milk, or no bag at all. Vet's recommend stopping feeding fescue a month before foaling. Good luck. With this wild mare, you may not be able to intervene and save that colt. Be careful if you try - good momma's don't let predators (including humans) touch their foals.
black bunny
fescue hay is made from fescue grass...
Keep her OFF of it! Even if you have to put her in a 'dry lot.' or a stall. You can put a halter and lead on her to walk her for exercise, and prevent her from grazing if necessary.
**EDIT...NTlesh...just seems like common sense to me! I would expect anyone else to say the same thing!!
Anonymous
Find either orchard grass hay or timothy hay or meadow grass hay. Stay the heck away from fescue in any form either grass or hay!!!!