Two “syndromes” that began near the end of the third week of April are causing Kentucky farms to lose an excessive number of foals and fetuses due to an as yet unknown cause. The first syndrome results in what mare owners know as “red bag,” or

Fluid is drained from the pericardial membrane surrounding the heart of a horse with Pericarditis.
Photo: Stephanie

Veterinary and diagnostic professionals in Kentucky are working feverishly to identify the cause of the recent abortion and early fetal loss syndromes. One of the most probable causes is mycotoxins in pastures. If that is the case,

University of Kentucky
College of Agriculture
Veterinary Science Department

May 6, 2001
MEMORANDUM

To: Kentucky Equine Practitioners

From: Drs. Lenn Harrison, David Powell, and Roberta Dwyer
Re: Late term

There have been no reports in Maryland of the two syndromes that are affecting the breeding industry in Kentucky, and no plans at this time to ban horses from entering the state.

“There is no sign of a problem here in Maryland,” said Tim

Tom Priddy, a meteorologist at the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, put together data on the weather this spring that is thought to have caused the current equine problems associated with pasture.

Charts and audio clips

After testing numerous pasture samples for mycotoxins, endophytes, and other possible causes to the problems in Kentucky, tests have shown higher than expected levels of a mycotoxin called zearalenone, according to Dr. Steve Jackson, a consultan

The effects of the current crisis resulting from mares aborting or having late-term stillborn foals are being felt on the equine insurance business. According to insurance professionals, underwriters are not accepting any policies

John A. Bell III reached into his pocket and pulled out two sheets of paper with the cold, hard facts. “Well, here’s the bad news,” he said. Bad news, indeed, for the family-owned and operated Jonabell Farm that Bell founded in 1956. Of 76 mares

David Parrish III, DVM, was president of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners in 1980 when a mystery problem occurred that caused abortions in mares during early pregnancy. While both involved abortions and were mysteries, the

So far it looks as if many Kentucky breeding sheds will stay open as long as they have clients who want to book their mares…or until the stallions must head into quarantine for trips to Southern Hemisphere locations. Those trips usually take

A series of abortions has recently been reported in several farms in Central Kentucky. At this time, the cause of these abortions is not determined, but there is no evidence of infectious etiology. Based upon currently available

In the wake of the outbreak of late-term fetal/foal deaths and near-term abortions in mares in Central Kentucky, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued guidelines for the equine industry on horses from

The good news is that the federal government doesn’t have to be in Kentucky or any other state because of the current spring syndromes taking place in the horse populations. They would be required to investigate if there was any indication that