Posted: 22nd August 2018 | Back to news feed
Mycotoxins are certain types of mould that can occur on growing, harvested or stored cereal and forage crops. Invisible to the naked eye, these toxic chemicals are produced by some types of mould growth under certain environmental conditions.
Horses are exposed to mycotoxins through contaminated feed and forage and are highly susceptible as a species to toxicity.
Long term exposure to mycotoxins can prove debilitating and leave the horse vulnerable to sickness or disease.
By following a few simple management rules you can significantly reduce the risk of your horse coming into contact with mycotoxins:
- Be aware of harvesting conditions as mycotoxins occur in damp, humid and drought conditions and are more prevalent on mature crops, so hay is more prone to a higher level of contamination than haylage.
- Check hay was fully dry before baling and always buy from a reputable source.
- Store hay in a dry, well-ventilated environment.
- Use large bales of haylage within two to three days.
- Never use feed that is beyond its use-by-date and always choose the freshest bag available in store.
- Keep bedding fresh and clean as bedding is fast becoming noted as a potentially significant source of mycotoxin toxicity, and some believe that contaminated straw may cause allergic skin reactions.
- Practice good hygiene and keep all feed, water and feed bins clean.
- Feeds a mycotoxin absorbent such as Forage Guard® from Alltech.
Forage Guard is a natural feed material produced from yeast cell wall and micro-algae, which specifically binds mycotoxins and removes them from the gut. The active ingredient in Forage Guard® has a substantial and broad-spectrum capacity to rapidly bind multiple mycotoxins.
A 5kg tub of Forage Guard® retails at £39 and contains a 100 day supply.
For further information please visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512.
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