a warning re sycamore atypical myopathy. please read

[Owllady]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-29902850
Apologies as I don't post here normally but felt I should post this as the horse my daughter rides has unfortunately had to be pts because of this and several more in the same day in neighbouring areas
We are not in Wales, that's just the first of quite a few recent articles that came up when I googled

This is really scaring me.

My friend went to see a lovely pony for sale a couple of weeks ago and agreed to have him vetted. He died from this a week later. It is awful. We don't seem to have any near our paddocks but I know they can carry on the wind.

Is it a new thing? Why is it happening now and didn't before?

I'm not sure, it does say there is an abundance of seeds because of the mild summer and because we've had high winds that abundance has all been blown off at once
If that makes sense

I've been meaning to post about this as my gorgeous horse died last week of this. If anyone has any questions fire away. Am devastated but hope more awareness may be able to prevent it.

Think this autumn is the worst it has ever been. This is due to the mild winter we had last year and then the very mild and wet October. My vet thinks the toxin lurks in a fungus which is why it likes these weather conditions. Horrible horrible disease. We need some seriously hard frosts to get rid.

I keep hearing about this - I have one very small tree at the top of my paddock, looked today and its full of seeds.

Anyone got any more info?
Whats the best thing to do?
I would go on my hands and knees picking them all up if I had too but I think I would be fighting a losing battle :(

If you can move the horse to alternative grazing but be aware that the seeds can fly a very long way in the right wind conditions.

If you can't move the horse, fence off the affected area. Feed supplementary hay and hard feed. Check water supplies don't have seeds or leaves in. Pick up and remove any seeds you do see.

Check horse regularly. If displaying any of the symptoms be safe and phone your vet. It is a horrific thing for a horse to go through and the fatality rate of over 75% isn't scare mongering.

Any questions ask and if I can I will try and answer

Its seems that there's been some new research into it which has identified a particular toxin called hypoglycin as being present in large amounts in the seed - came out last year I believe .

It's entirely probable that there's been a problem all along , but the issue's just never been properly attributed before . I can remember at least two horses suffering similar symptoms in the 90's in Surrey , but I'm sure this wasn't mentioned then .

They have cut down the sycamore and fenced off the offending area at my daughter's stables

have never heard of this

new thing to worry about but thank you

I'm sorry about your horse too incapinka :( it's heart breaking

Thanks Owlady. He was only 7 and the kindest person who was also turning out to be very talented. Am devastated he has gone.

:( he sounds like an amazing horse, sorry you lost him so young

He was very special. Incredibly kind around my toddler. He was a rubbish ex racehorse who scored 80% in his first dressage test and was just beginning to enjo jumping properly. We were planning on eventing next summer. Utterly gutted. He will now forever be known as the one that got away...

is nice that right horse found the right person even if the time was too short

that doesn't happen often enough!

We lost one of ours at weekend after 6 days at RVS. He went from fine to lying down screaming in pain in about 15 minutes, it was horrific to watch.

Oh god I'm so sorry . I can't imagine how you must be feeling , both of you .

I noticed two farms removing their sycamores last night - huge bonfire. Terrible .