Clostridium botulinum Bacteria

toxins are one of the most lethal substances known. Botulinum toxins block nerve functions and can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis. Human botulism may refer to foodborne botulism, infant botulism, wound botulism, and inhalation botulism or other types of intoxication.

Botulism can occur in horses that ingest feed contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin, most commonly found in improperly stored, moist hay or haylage, especially large round bales where wet centers can allow the bacteria to proliferate. Another common source is decomposing animal carcasses trapped within bales. Preventative measures include feeding only dry, well-inspected hay, avoiding wet or moldy bales, keeping hay off the ground, and controlling rodents and other animals that could contaminate feed.

How Contaminated Hay Causes Botulism C. botulinum thrives in anaerobic (oxygen-free) environments with sufficient moisture . .

Large round bales . are particularly risky because their large size can trap moisture and create ideal, anaerobic conditions for the bacteria to grow, especially in the center of the bale. Animal carcasses .

(like mice or birds or dead snakes) can become trapped in hay during baling, decaying within the bale and spreading the toxin.

Poorly preserved haylage or silage . can also harbor the toxin if the pH doesn't drop sufficiently to inhibit C. botulinum growth.

Symptoms in Horses

Symptoms can appear hours to days after ingestion and include:

Muscle tremors and weakness
Loss of tongue control, leading to the tongue hanging from the mouth
Excessive drooling (difficulty swallowing)
Stiff, short-strided gait
Inability to stand or rise
Paralysis of respiratory muscles, which can lead to death
**A client of mine years ago said "yellow diarreah". We had him use the Liquid Target Factors and he saved his outfitters string, only the first one died prior to getting the help he needed from contacting me.

Prevention Strategies

Feed only dry, well-preserved hay: and discard any hay that is wet, moldy, or has a foul smell.

Inspect hay: from reputable growers, looking for signs of contamination or animal carcasses.

Avoid large round bales, especially those with damaged wrapping or a known wet center.

Keep feeding areas clean, free of decaying vegetation and animal carcasses.

Use horse-specific feeders: to keep hay off the ground and reduce exposure to soil and carcasses.

Consult a veterinarian: about vaccination, as there is a vaccine available for certain types of botulism.

Avoid feeding silage or improperly fermented haylage: to horses.

Use acid preservatives: when baling hay if it's difficult to get the moisture level below 22%.

** I personally have used loose bagged rock salt and sprinkled inbetween the bales of hay as we picked them up from the field that was a low lying field low water table and I felt the bales were too moist to just stack in the barn without the salt to help dry them out. Worked great several years in a row.