Ragwort poisoning is a very serious and usually fatal condition. Ragwort poisoning occurs as a result of horses eating ragwort (Senecio Jacobaea), a toxic plant that causes liver damage. This blog article outlines the symptoms of ragwort poisoning in horses, and highlights what you can do to prevent it.
The following are the main symptoms of ragwort poisoning in horses. If you think your horse has ragwort poisoning or liver failure (which may have a different cause), call your vet immediately.
Symptoms of Ragwort Poisoning:
One key point to remember about ragwort poisoning is that there may be no symptoms present until the condition has progressed significantly. Just because your horse isn’t exhibiting any symptoms of ragwort poisoning, this does not mean that they have never consumed ragwort or that they do not have liver damage. This is why it is imperative for horse owners and landowners to be able to identify ragwort and remove it safely and completely.
The only way to prevent ragwort poisoning is to ensure your horse does not consume any ragwort. Ragwort poisoning has a cumulative effect, in that it builds up over time and is no less dangerous if your horse consumes a small amount of ragwort over many years, versus eating a large amount in one go. It is impossible to know for sure that your horse has never consumed ragwort (e.g. before you purchased them), so consuming just a small amount more could be enough to prove fatal.
Below are some tips on how to prevent ragwort poisoning:
For more information on how to get rid of ragwort, please see our handy guide.
At Avonvale Equine Vet Practice, our qualified and dedicated equine vets are happy to advise clients on ragwort control. Based at our equine vet clinic in Ratley, near Banbury, our experienced equine vets provide equine veterinary services to horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Register with us today.