Nutritionist > Equine

Prevention Strategies
As the risk of mycotoxicosis is very difficult to predict or evaluate, prevention strategies should be initiated when assessing even a low risk situation. These must primarily aim at minimising mycotoxin formation in the field and during storage.

Cleanliness is vital and all feed bins and utensils should be cleaned regularly and kept dry. Mouldy or out of date feeds should not be fed even though they may not necessarily contain mycotoxins. Hay and chaff products must be properly harvested and dried. Feed should preferably be kept within the bag until just before use and once opened stored in a cool dry place free from extreme temperature fluctuations. Bedding in stables should be cleaned out thoroughly and deep litter bedding is more likely to contain fungi. Cleaning areas thoroughly around the mangers is also important.

Pasture seed mixes must be guaranteed endophyte- free and particular attention should be paid to pregnant mares, keeping them away from endophyte- infected forage. Grass pastures should be topped regularly to maintain pasture in a vegetative growing state and prevent the formation of flowers and seeds. Most feed manufacturers regularly test the raw materials and finished feed and many now add mycotoxin binders to the feeds to help insure against possible mycotoxin presence