I've just seem this very sad post on another forum
I just wanted to warn everyone of the dangers of horses eating food meant for pigs or Chickens, I know alot of people keep a few chickens and other farm animals with horses.
The neighbouring farmer to me has indoor pigs and his automatic feeder pipes broke recently and food pumped into my paddock with my herd of mares, foals and youngstock instead of into his barn. Natives being natives ate the food and 5 have since died a horrible very nasty death and 4 have been extremely ill but luckily recovered. Tests are currently being carried out to confirm what killed them but it is believed to be a chemical readily used in chicken and pig/cattle food. If it is found to be the chemical it has life long effect on horses hearts which deem my ponies unable to be ridden or put in foal due to the strain on the heart.
My stallion , who is such a good boy he walks out on a loose lead rein, always tries to hoover up the bird seed I put out for the wild birds in winter as I walk him past it as we go to his field. I have always laughed at it as he has just had a big breakfast and there are only a few seeds left when we pass. Fortunately it is organic, untreated food but a timely warning for anyone who ever thinks of using the wrong type of feed to save a few pennies.
I do hope that it doesn't turn out to be the chemical you suspect and that your surviving horses can have a normal life.
Luckily it didn't happen to me, I saw the post on another forum and though from time to time there are warnings about the wrong type of food I think the severity of the outcome may show how dangerous it can be.
Dangers of feeding wrong food
Posted - 02 Feb 2012 : 03:05:27 AM
