EQUINE NEWS - Equine Grass Sickness Fund
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EQUINE NEWS Equine Grass Sickness Fund
Patron - HRH The Princess Royal
Chairman - Mrs James Gammell
Spring/Summer 2011
Stretton Riding Centre Sponsored Ride
A sponsored ride was organised by
Stretton Riding Centre in Rutland, in
aid of the Equine Grass Sickness
Fund, following the death of one of its
own horses, Beau, who died from the
disease in July 2010. He was put down
within 2 days of becoming ill. Beau
was very much loved and is missed by
everyone who knew him.
Numerous riders took part in the event
and thoroughly enjoyed it. The centre
had already raised over £400 through a
number of table top and book sales
and the total amount raised by
everyone was a fantastic £2,040.26.
Stretton Riding Centre also intends to
plant a tree in memory of Beau, in
George Henry Wood where the ride
took place, and has permission from
the Woodland Trust. A few of the riders who took part
Equine Grass Sickness in Ireland
The first confirmed case of Equine post mortem examination, irrespective been such a low incidence of EGS in
Grass Sickness (EGS) was recorded in of history, for changes associated with Ireland when horses are moved
Ireland in early 2000 with 6 EGS. Selected cases were also continually between Ireland and
subsequent cases being confirmed by reviewed by John Gilmour from the Europe, or why these 7 cases were all
2010. Dr Ursula Fogarty, head of Moredun Research Institute, chronic cases when those in the UK
pathology at the Irish Equine Centre, Edinburgh in the early 1990’s but none are predominantly acute and subacute.
Co Kildare has been awarded a grant were confirmed as EGS.
by the Equine Grass Sickness Fund to We will bring you the results of this
study the case histories of these It is not understood why there has study when they become available.
affected individuals and pathological
lesions found. Epidemiological data
was collected from the Irish premises
at the time EGS cases occurred but
these premises are being revisited and
further data collected to compare with
the epidemiology of EGS in the UK.
Since 1987, the Irish Equine Centre
has been checking the cranial
mesenteric ganglia of all horses,
ponies and donkey in excess of 6
months that have been submitted for The Irish Equine Centre2 Spring/Summer 2011
From the Chairman
World news has been dominated this piece. Grass Sickness creates a for owners of horses, the Fund is
recently by the disaster of the mega sense of dread in owners of horses constantly striving to accrue the
quake and tsunami in Japan and I and ponies. For some owners it has necessary finances and supporting
know someone who was making a become an occupational hazard and better methods of diagnosis and, most
business visit to a heavy bulldozers amongst most horse owners who are importantly, funding research into the
facility the day before the quake hit. aware of the disease there is an cause of the disease that will
The facility didn’t exist after the acceptance that perhaps, one day, who ultimately lead to the removal of the
tsunami hit. Fortunately, the personnel knows where or when, their horse may dreaded threat of grass sickness. It is
there were all accounted for. be overwhelmed by what is a tsunami a very worthy cause.
of equine proportions. The threat is
Philippa Gammell
Without wishing in any way to there. Nothing can be done to control
trivialise what happened in Japan I the enormous power of the movement
started to think about what to write in of the earth’s plates, but fortunately
Looking for the ‘Killer’s fingerprint’
The Equine Grass Sickness Fund is
currently funding a study led by Prof.
Bruce McGorum of the Royal (Dick)
School of Veterinary Sciences, that is
aimed at detecting these putative
protein changes in equine grass
sickness cases, compared to samples
from horses euthanased for other
reasons. Should such toxin-induced
changes be found, this would give
strong support to the clostridial toxin
hypothesis, and would provide
specific targets for future vaccination
strategies to finally protect the UK’s
Horse ganglion proteins separated by two dimensional gel electrophoresis
horse population from grass sickness.
A century after the appearance of contribute to the neurotoxicity seen in
equine grass sickness in Scotland, the grass sickness. These toxins, such as
search for its cause still continues.
Much of the research to date points
the so-called C2 toxin and C3
exoenzyme, are well characterised in
Report ALL
towards a possible bacterial origin, their biochemical properties and they Grass Sickness
specifically toxin-producing bacteria cause highly specific changes to
of the Clostridium family, which have specific protein structures within Cases
been found at much higher levels in affected tissues. By the time grass
grass sickness cases than in unaffected sickness is apparent, the toxins We would remind you to report ALL
cases of Equine Grass Sickness to
co-grazing horses. The best known of responsible may no longer be readily
the EGSF using the case form on
this family is Clostridium botulinum, detectable but if these clostridial our website. An accurate record of
which produces the deadly botulinum toxins are the cause, then they will case distribution will be important
neurotoxin (popularly known as leave behind a characteristic when the vaccine field trial is
“botox”). fingerprint in horse neuronal tissue. planned so we need your assistance.
Therefore, we hypothesise that if Do not assume someone has
While grass sickness is quite distinct clostridial toxins are responsible for reported it for you. It is better to
from botulism caused by the grass sickness, then we will be able to have it reported twice than not at all.
botulinum neurotoxin, there are detect the characteristic protein If you need a case form posted out
several other types of toxins produced alterations caused by toxins such as please let us know.
by clostridia that could possibly C2 and/or C3.Spring/Summer 2011 3
Promising Show Jumper Survives Chronic
Grass Sickness
By Bryony Waggett HND, BSc, MSc.
Equine Grass Sickness Fund Research Assistant/Nurse
University of Edinburgh
Celebrity B, or Bunny to her friends, was admitted to the
R(D)SVS Equine Hospital at Easter Bush, Edinburgh on the
28th September 2010 to confirm diagnosis and receive
treatment for chronic grass sickness. Bunny was a 3 year old
Scottish Sports horse, who had just started her training as a
show jumper and was showing great promise. Sadly, on the
24th September her trainer noticed that she was tucked up,
sweaty, had muscle tremors and her appetite had decreased,
so the local vet was called. On arrival at the hospital Bunny’s Bunny 1st October 2010
condition was confirmed and her treatment began.
During the first few days Bunny was keen to eat grass,
carrots and some concentrates (Bailey’s No. 8 was her
favourite) but only the odd wisp of hay or haylage, despite it
being readily available. She had some difficulty swallowing
so warm water was added to all her feeds and this made them
much easier for her to swallow. Bunny was kept well rugged
since chronic grass sickness cases have problems with
thermoregulation. She sweated up around her ears and the
entire length of her neck most days which caused irritation to
her skin, so she had to be washed in tea tree shampoo, dried
and then talcum powder applied to try and keep the area dry.
Dehydration was a concern because of the increased sweating Bunny 25th November 2010
so Bunny was offered warm water which she seemed to drink
more readily than cold water. Bunny’s body weight on Build Up mix and was also keen on Young’s Sweet Meadow
admission was 439kg so she was very underweight for a Stamina mix. By early November her condition continued to
mare of 16hh. Her weight continued to decrease and at its improve, muscle tremors were less evident and she started to eat
lowest it was only 385kg (5th October). a large net of hay over night. Her weight before discharge had
By mid October she began to eat more concentrate, increased to 450kg so she had exceeded her admission weight.
thankfully, and also tolerated some beet pulp added to her Bunny’s demeanour greatly improved from being dull and
feeds. By this time she was allowed out in the field to graze depressed on arrival at the hospital to walking out to the field
for 2 - 4 hours daily depending on the weather conditions; up with a real spring in her step by the end of her hospitalisation.
until this time she had been walked out to grass in hand. She
Many thanks must go to Marianne Rafferty who helped
did experience a few episodes of mild colic, probably
nurse Bunny, the vets at the R(D)SVS and the Equine
because of the increase in feed intake. Bunny’s choice of
Grass Sickness Fund for their continued support of
concentrate feed changed, she preferred Dodson and Horrell’s
these cases.
Residual Damage of Veterinary Studies. Professor Milne
investigated the residual damage
allow her to write up her work, the
results of which will be posted on our
Study Ends present in the autonomic nervous
system in cases which had recovered
website in due course.
In order to gain a better understanding and were being put down months to The Equine Grass Sickness Fund and
of why some chronic cases recover, a years later, often for unrelated reasons. Professor Milne wish to thank those of
study was conducted by Professor you who enabled this study to go ahead,
Elspeth Milne, Head of Veterinary She has sufficient numbers of well- thereby making a valuable contribution
Pathology at the Royal (Dick) School documented post mortems now to towards grass sickness research.4 Spring/Summer 2011
Data for Cases Reported to EGS
Surveillance Scheme Occurring in 2010
The EGS Surveillance Scheme had 105 cases of Equine Grass Sickness reported to them in 2010. Of these, 28 had no
location recorded. Of the 77 where country was provided, 57 were in England (74%), 18 in Scotland (23.4%) and 2 in
Wales (2.6%). Geldings made up 46% of the numbers, mares 40%, stallions/colts 10% and 4% were not recorded.
Cases were reported in every month of the year with over
30.2% occurring in May, 14.3% in June and 9.52% in both
April and August.
60 were acute cases, 18 subacute, 24 chronic and 3 were
not recorded.
A total of 12 premises reported more than one case of EGS
occurring in 2010; of these 11 reported 2 cases on the
affected premises and 1 location reported 3 cases. The
majority of premises reporting multiple cases were in
England and the remaining 2 were in Scotland.
Thanks are due to Jo Ireland and Máire O’Brien from the
Animal Health Trust who supplied the above data.
Unfortunately, many cases of EGS are not reported to
either the Surveillance Scheme or the EGSF, for various
reasons, which makes it impossible to know the true extent
of the disease each year
Nursing Cases at Show Dates for 2011
the ‘Dick’ Vet • 22 May Avonvalley Tidy Memorial Show at
Hetton-le-Hole, in aid of EGSF. Email Mandy
Bryony Waggett is no longer nursing grass sickness cases Mitchell at sweet.mitchell@talktalk.net for a
at the ‘Dick’ Vet Equine Hospital near Edinburgh as she schedule or visit the EGSF website.
has moved on to a new job within Edinburgh University.
Having nursed horses with chronic grass sickness for 6 • 5 June The Scottish Grass Sickness Show at
years Bryony has a wealth of experience in caring for them
Blairgowrie, Perthshire, in aid of EGSF. There are
and is aware of the problems that can arise. Not only has
classes for all breeds and types of equine.
she seen first hand the dreadful heartache experienced by
Schedules are available on the EGSF website.
owners when losing their horses to this disease but she has
also experienced great satisfaction when a horse goes
home to its owner after weeks of intensive nursing. Bryony • 16 - 19 June Christine and Samantha Morrison
will continue to offer nutritional support to anyone nursing will be raising funds for EGSF on their stand at
horses at home and she can be contacted through the Burgie Horse Trials.
forum on our website or through the EGSF office. Bryony
is a member of the EGSF committee and will be helping • 23 - 26 June Royal Highland Show,
on the show stand at various events. near Edinburgh.
The EGSF funded grass sickness nurse at the ‘Dick’ Vet • 18 - 21 August Blair Castle Horse Trials,
looks after cases admitted to the hospital for confirmation Perthshire
of diagnosis or for treatment. This position will be filled
by Lucy Dawson from Hampshire in July 2011 for one • 12 -13 November Your Horse Live, Stoneleigh
year. We wish her well in this demanding role.Spring/Summer 2011 5
Veterinary Physiotherapists Show Their
Support
The Scottish Chartered Veterinary
Physiotherapists held a day seminar
for owners and trainers titled
Optimising Equine Performance. The
seminar was to celebrate 25 years of
the Association of Chartered
Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy
(A.C.P.A.T.). All of the Scottish
Chartered Physiotherapists contributed
their time with everyone taking part in
one or more of the demonstrations. Physiotherapists hand over
cheques to representatives
The day started with an explanation from each charity.
from Jo Paul of the effect of
conformation on performance and how conformation can be
actual or acquired by different stresses put on the horse.
Over lunch was an informal set of ‘walk in’ short practical
demonstrations ranging from small animal physiotherapy,
rider physiotherapy assessment, Centred Riding and Pilates
all presented by the physios, alongside contributions from
Lee Valley Saddlers, Mr Ruriadh Robb and Dr Debbie
Marsden which added a multidisciplinary flavour to the day.
Jo Brown demonstrates how the human spine works.
The afternoon was packed fully of practical demonstrations normal schooling or within a structured re-habilitation
of all the treatments provided by chartered physiotherapists programme. Jenny Leggate and the Equibuddy team
and emphasising the wide range of treatments available from provided the equine models, who all behaved impeccably.
joint mobilisation led by Maeve Grant, electrotherapy from
Kim Gunstone and Emma Mc Cagherty, reflex therapy from Course notes were produced and sold to help bolster profits
Anna Sparrow and soft tissue mobilisation from Ruth from ticket sales and £1000 each was raised for EGSF and
Torrance. The last session was of great interest to owners as WHW. Thanks to everyone who supported the day by either
it described exercises that could be done at home as part of giving up their time, sponsoring course notes or buying tickets.
Elizabeth Comes up
Will You Distribute
Trumps Again.
Leaflets?
Elizabeth Brown from Berwickshire held another successful We need to create much greater awareness of Grass
winter dressage series at Etal, by kind permission of Lord Sickness and we are asking for your help. Horse
and Lady Joicey, and presented the Fund with a marvellous owners ought to be aware that this disease exists but
cheque for £1,000 in March. She battled on with the many have never heard of it, despite owning horses
competitions despite the difficult winter, although two of for many years.
them had to be cancelled due to vast amounts of snow
which made it impossible to go anywhere. The EGSF would like all saddlers, feed merchants,
farriers, vets surgeries, livery yards, riding schools,
Elizabeth started raising funds for grass sickness research in clubs, and racecourses to have leaflets about Grass
the early 90’s and is now close to her target of £20,000. The Sickness readily available. If you can help to distribute
EGSF would like to thank Elizabeth for her total dedication some in your area email us at
to the cause over a long number of years. Elizabeth is joyce.mcintosh@moredun.org. or phone the office to
always quick to say that she couldn’t run the series without a let us know how many you need.
loyal band of helpers and we would like to say a big ‘thank
you’ to them too.6 Spring/Summer 2011
Naburn Hog Roast
and Auction of
Promises
Naburn Grange Riding Centre, owned by Mrs Della
Horn, celebrated its 30th Anniversary last year by
holding an Open Day in aid of the Equine Grass
Sickness Fund. The riding centre is a small family run
BHS Approved Training Centre within easy access of
York.
Della said “We had a wonderful night for our Auction
of Promises starting with a Hog Roast then the Auction
Peebles and District Riding Club raised £300 at a Pleasure Ride which started of Promises. The auctioneer, Rod Cordingley, from
from Mailingsland Farm in the Scottish Borders. Dr Scott Pirie from the ‘Dick’ our local York Horse Sales was fantastic at coaxing
Vet received the cheque at the Club’s AGM, from outgoing chairman Kirsten folk to bid just a little bit more and two of the Pony
McPhilipps, on behalf of the EGSF. Club mums took care of the accounting side of things
for us. We had a very interesting talk on Grass
Sickness by our local vet, Mike Jones, followed by live
Westertoun Riding Centre music from a rock band.
Tack Up and Mount Up A very good night was had by all, from Pony Club
members and their parents, regular riders and their
family to riding pupils from the past 30 years. We were
delighted to raise £2,852.53 for such a worthy cause.”
Prize Draw Results
1st Prize - Two night stay at Hilton Craigendarroch
Hotel - Anna De’Ath, Suffolk
2nd Prize - 2 tickets for Olympia Horse Show – Mrs
Gail MacGregor, Callander
3rd Prize - Days fishing with Lunch - A Leslie
Melville, Croy
Fifteen riders took part in a sponsored 'Tack Up and Mount
Up' competition at Westertoun Riding Centre, organised by 4th Prize - Sanyo Xacti HD Camcorder Camera -
Laura Galleitch. Their ages ranged from 14 years down to 6 Sarah Macfarlane, Cupar
years. 5th Prize – 2 Season tickets for Blair Horse Trials
2011 - Gordon Jenkins, Elgin
Each child was allocated a pony and given a designated time
6th Prize - Horse Tee Shirt – Bob Dunlop, Blairgowrie
in which they had to have their pony tacked up, round to the
school, and be mounted with stirrups and girth adjusted, with 7th Prize - EGSF Calendar – Hazel England, Methven
absolutely no help. The times allocated were between 6 and 8th Prize - The Holistic Management of Horses - M
20 minutes, depending on the age of the child, how difficult Heginbothom, Vale of Glamorgan
the ponies were to bridle and how long they had been riding.
9th Prize - Canine Capers by Suzan St. Maur - Bill
Laura says" The children were wonderful. They all rose to Stewart, Cupar
the occasion and achieved their goal. I am so proud of them. 10th Prize - Lead Rope – S Macfarlane, Dairsie
Between them they raised £465 for the Equine Grass
Sickness Fund". Our thanks to everyone who sold or bought tickets.Spring/Summer 2011 7
Your Horse Live 2010
In November committee members
Wanda Dodd and Joyce Kent travelled
south to man the stand for EGSF at
Your Horse Live at Stoneleigh. A vast
amount of literature was handed out
and a selection of Fund merchandise
was on sale.
The myth that grass sickness is purely
a Scottish disease is continually
disproved and stand visitors reported
cases from all over England and
Wales, once again.
Joyce Kent said “We were encouraged
by the number of people who visited
the stand to ask questions and learn
more about grass sickness and the
possible risk to their horses. Many
had heard of a horse or pony that had assumed that Grass Sickness and of myoglobin from muscle breakdown
died from grass sickness and a few Atypical Myoglobinuria are one and – this is not seen in grass sickness”.
knew of horses that had recovered.” the same disease, because some of the
symptoms are not dissimilar, but they EGSF will be back at Your Horse Live
“The hot topic of the week was are not and the pathology is quite on 12/13 November 2011 and would
Atypical Myoglobinuria, due an different, the latter being associated be pleased to see you at the EGSF
article in the equine press. Many with brown urine due to the presence stand.
www.grasssickness.org.uk
Practice Talk Raises Visit our website for more information about
research, to buy merchandise, use the forum or
Funds for Equine make a donation.
Grass Sickness
Research
In November Dukes Vet Practice in Aberdeenshire
welcomed Professor Bruce McGorum, from the ‘Dick’
Vet in Edinburgh, to give a talk on the latest findings in
grass sickness research. Lorna Edgar from Baileys Horse
Feeds gave an informative talk on feeding. An
enthusiastic audience enjoyed both talks on the night.
A collection was taken for the Equine Grass Sickness
Fund with Sally McCarthy and Aberdeen Riding Club
making a significant contribution towards the total of
£751.68. The event was organized by Mark Moseley and A stud walk at Dawn Cunningham Reid’s well known Balleroy Highland
kindly sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds and Norbrook. Pony Stud raised over £250. Dustin the sheep is pretending to be a
Highland pony too!8 Spring/Summer 2011
DONATIONS
We acknowledge fundraising donations received from the following:
Aberdeen Riding Club Janet Myers Collections
ACPAT (Scottish Group) Seminar Kilmacolm and Kilallan Riding Club
Aln Riding Club Ladbrokes Racing, Galston, in memory of Zed-dot-com
Anglian Distance Riders Mainhouse Charitable Trust
Ashworth Veterinary Group collection McCords collection
BCPS Northern Show Miss Neath and Mrs Clarke - In memory of Nicole
BDS Central Scotland Moredun collections
Christmas donation - Janet Myers Mrs B Kelly - Birthday celebrations
Central Scotland Highland Pony Club Stud Visits Naburn Grange Riding Centre Open Day
Dan Ward - Off Road Races - In memory of Jypke NPS Scotland
Dukes Vet Practice Grass Sickness Talk Peebles Riding Club
Earnpark Livery Show - J Mackenzie Scottish & Border Counties Connemara Group
Etal Dressage Series - Elizabeth Brown Scottish Regional Group Arabian Horse Supporters
Extrordinair/Bossy Boots Memorial Fund Seaforth Saddlers
Fraser & Fraser Vets Southern Highland Pony Society
Gemma Ellis Bungee Jump Stanley House vets
Glenbrae Riding Club Strathmore & District Riding Club
Gleneagles Christmas Charity Show and Diageo Stretton Riding & Training Centre Julia Woods - In
Glentore Tack Shop memory of Beau
Grampian BDS 2 day drive - Anne Macdonald Susan Haywood & Fell Pony Society
Harbro Inverness The Tack Room - Tillyochie
Hapton Animal Feeds Topaz Troupe – Shirley-Anne Cruickshank
Hexham Native Horse and Pony Show Lunch Tricia Duckworth’s fundraisers
Horseworld collection & Mrs Barker Westertoun Riding Centre Tack Up and Mount Up
We would also like thank, most sincerely, the numerous people who have made personal donations to the Fund.
MOVED HOUSE? Happiness
If you have moved please let us know is……………………
………………….. a
your new address and your old one, so
that we can continue to send you our
mailings. heap of pooh!
PLEASE PASS THIS NEWSLETTER ON TO A FRIEND
If you require further information about the Fund please contact
Joyce McIntosh, Secretary/Editor, Equine Grass Sickness Fund,
The Moredun Foundation, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik EH26 0PZ
Tel: 0131 445 6257 Fax: 0131 445 6235
or visit our website at www.grasssickness.org.uk
The Equine Grass Sickness Fund is a division of The Moredun Foundation.The Moredun Foundation is a company limited by guarantee
registered in Scotland, No: SC151865.The Moredun Foundation is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC022515.You can also read
