I think my horse is high?

Question

So every year it seems like, during this time period my horses start to go through some kind of "high". I am thinking they are getting a hold of some kind of weed or something in their pasture that is making them tipsy. They can barely stand up, and are verry out of it. They recover soon after and it only happens to a maybe 3 out of the 10. Does anybody know of any kind of weed that may be untracable in pastures that could lead to this kind of behavior from my horses?

Answer 1

I hope you come back to look at these answers as I had stuffed up my password and couldn't answer this for you yesterday.

Do you have rye grass in your pasture. If so this contains and endophyte that can be toxic to horses. The endophyte level rises in damp weather. Although at that stage because there is a long leaf about it may not effect horses at this stage. When the horses graze lower down on the plant its effect can cause symptoms of those listed above.

In NZ the term for your drugged horses is call - grass staggers -  some sheep and cattle can also be effected.

Not all horses are effected by this and it sometimes only lasts a short while, for other horses it can be longer lasting.

I hope this has helped. Best of luck with this. You could try googling grass staggers/rye grass endophytes etc, there are many articles on this. And I'm only recalling what I've read due to a friends animals suffering this last year.

Answer 2

I had a horse once and he acted like that when he had colic. He used to barely stand up and layed down all sluggish.It was caused by sand in his stomach.He got this by eating grass and eating the roots and all.We had to call a vet he showed us what to do. And he got it quite alot.

Answer 3

horses can get high by cribing =)

maybe thats what it is

Answer 4

After some discussion with my horsewoman friend over IM, here are the things she said:

*Possibly low blood

*Mown grass must be kept away

*Certainly no weed in the paddock, you'll never know whether they'll be poisonous to your horse.

A second ago, she said to make sure (if u have more than one horse in the paddock) to make sure none of them kick any horse in the stomach or they may go colic.

Do you have any sort of flowers in the paddock? Just covering some bases.

If you got any of these mentioned, remove them. Otherwise my friend and I do not know what else it could possibly be.

Answer 5

Thats weird, sound like some kind of toxin...You should get the Vet to do a Toxicology test or at least get advice from the Vet to to be sure.....

Answer 6

would it be horseweeds, mine loves them doesnt act "high" though

Answer 7

I  put in loco  weed.  One  site  specific to horse  poison

                aspca.org

                                            *mamatx

Answer 8

Magic mushrooms?  They do grow in manure...

Answer 9

If i was u i would do a bit of research as i dont think that plant/weed is very healthy for your horse and it seems its taking a toll on your horse. Also you should get a vet out to check if its doing any damage to your horse If you ring your local vet i think they would know what causes this

HOPE YOU FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND I HOPE ALL YOUR HORSES ARE SAFE N SOUND!!!!

Answer 10

I'd start researching the plants growing in my pasture!!  That's not a good thing to be happening!

If it was later in the year and they had access to fermented fruit...that's an idea.  But not at this time.

Where are you located?  Some things grow in one area...that don't grow in others.

Your vet or feedstore would know about toxic plants that are likely in your area also.

**EDIT...I'm sorry I'm out of ideas.  Give your vet a call and explain the symptoms and what time of year they happen.  I hope he can help you...