Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Is there an additive that I can put in feed for treating and preventing the effects of fescue?
QUESTION:
I am trying to find an additive to put in mineral or salt or feed for treating
and preventing the effects of
fescue..
ANSWER:
If you are focusing on late gestation havoc played by fescue on horse
reproduction (abortion, delayed parturition, etc.), then pulling horses off the
fescue pasture and hay at 300 days of gestation (or earlier, if you can) will
take care of most of those kinds of problems. Also,
frequent clipping/mowing of fescue pastures to prevent seed formation will reduce
the amount of ergovaline and the other endophyte alkaloids
eaten.
For other hypoprolactin mediated effects, the domperidone is your best
bet.