Polo Times Magazine Subscribe to Polo Times Home
HomeNewsTournamentsClassifiedsAbout usSubscribeContact
 
 
 
 

Tue 15th Sep 2015

Atypical Myopathy awareness this Autumn

Sycamore trees are shedding are now

Arriving to the Polo Times office this morning, the Sycamore trees on the drive have begun to shed. Seeing the classic “helicopter” seeds on the road reminded us that the threat of Atypical Myopathy is greatly increased at this time of year. Polo Times first highlighted the issue in the November/December 2014 issue.

By the end of 2014, the number of Atypical Myopathy (AM) cases (also known as Seasonal Pasture Myopathy) reported in the UK had reached the highest levels in Europe, according to The British Horse Society’s latest newsletter. Atypical Myopathy is a highly fatal muscle disease, most commonly seen in young horses out to graze in Autumn and Spring, in both the UK and Northern Europe. It causes severe damage to muscles, affecting postural and respiratory muscles. 

What clinical signs to look out for:

  • Weakness
  • Muscle tremors
  • Pain
  • Lethargy
  • Reluctance to walk
  • Recumbancy (lying down with difficultly standing)
  • Discoloured urine (brown-red)
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing

These are often confused with signs of colic. If you are at all worried you should call you vet as soon as possible.

The survival rates are thought to be at less than 25%, unless an early diagnosis is made. The Animal Health Trust and Irish Equine Centre are working together with the Université de Liège to extend understanding of the condition after such a dramatic rise in cases.

Prevention of the disease requires restricting horses from gaining access to sycamore seeds. To help prevent this condition make sure to:

  • Avoid using pasture with sycamore maple and box elder trees
  • Fencing off areas where seeds/leaves have fallen
  • Reduce stocking densities down to ensure that there is enough grazing
  • Supplementing the pasture with extra forage

 

Photograph: Sycamore seeds have begun to fall already this Autumn


Follow Polotimes on Twitter
 

Other top stories


Mon 18th Mar 2024
USPA Gold Cup Semi Finals Set
Coca Cola vs Valiente & La Dolfina/Tonkawa vs Park Place

Tue 5th Mar 2024
Polo Times March Issue Out This Week
Snow Polo, SUPA Special & Start of Season Nutrition

Mon 4th Mar 2024
The 2024 Savile Cup
Mystery Creek take historic title

Wed 28th Feb 2024
U.S. Women’s Open Championship Final
Victory for Buena Vibra in thrilling match

Tue 27th Feb 2024
Dubai Gold Cup Final
First Gold Cup win for Habtoor in 12 years

Mon 26th Feb 2024
Valiente Are Back!
C.V. Whitney Cup Final

See all news in:


End of Polo Times news page

Advertiser information Contact us Subscribe Work for us All information is subject to copyright 2015

Highlights

Latest Classified

Latest Classified

 Get into Polo

Get started in polo

Information on how to get started in polo
 Destination of the Month

The global game

Holidays and breaks playing or following polo around the world
 Wallpapers

Online magazine

Login to read current and back issues of the magazine
 Find your nearest club

Club contacts

Find your nearest polo club
Cookies in Use