Agricultural authorities in Maine believe a botulism outbreak is responsible for the deaths of 23 horses at a Gorham farm.

Maine State Veterinarian Donald Hoenig, VMD, said that between April 7 and April 17, 23 of more than 40 horses residing at the Whistlin’ Willows Farm in Gorham died; some survivors became ill but recovered, he said. Agricultural authorities suspect the deaths were caused by botulism resulting from the presence of the causative agent, Clostridium botulinum, in the horses’ baleage or round bale hay supplies, Hoenig said.

"This is the largest botulism outbreak any veterinarian in Maine has ever seen," he said.

No one at Whistlin’ Willows Farm was available for comment