Mycotoxin binders for horses
These are often used by horse owners when the horse has a sudden change in behaviour, normally coinciding with a change in weather patterns. Mycotoxins can also be present in feed from poor storage or where conditions are warm with excess moisture, allowing fungus to grow and produce fungal toxins. These fungal toxins are what is called mycotoxins.
There are numerous mycotoxin binders for horses available. However, it is important to select a broad-spectrum mycotoxin profile to adsorb the largest number of mycotoxins present in feeds or forages your horse consumes.
Toxin binder for horses | Digest Easi Opti-Mize | Grass affected Horses are two examples of products that use the innovative technology of Myco-fix. This is a proven mycotoxin binder for horses that works by deactivating the mycotoxins. By rendering the mycotoxins nontoxic, the horse does not absorb the harmful effects.
Myco-fix used alongside calcium bentonite, a naturally occurring binder provides the best and broad coverage of the two groups of mycotoxins, polar and non-polar found commonly in feeds.
Myco-fix does not rely on adsorbing mycotoxins; by deactivating the toxins, they don’t cause harmful effects, it is then passed through the digestive tract and eliminated by the horse. Many types of mycotoxin binders rely on adsorption. Myco-fix is a clever technology and is scientifically proven for reducing mycotoxins in horses.
6 key reasons when mycotoxin binder for horses is likely required:
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Stored feed or forages: if you suspect that your horses’ feed or forages may be susceptible to mycotoxins such as open to air or exposed to high humidity. Mycotoxin binders can therefore be used to reduce any potential harmful effects of mycotoxins.
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Signs of mycotoxins in pasture: by your horse ingesting, these may result in poor coat condition, weight loss, digestive issues (like diarrhoea or colic), lethargy, or neurological symptoms (high degree of nervous behaviour). Often spooky and out of character behaviour coincides with a sudden change in weather. A mycotoxin binder may be used to help reduce their impact. Feeding hay alongside is also helpful to reduce the consumption of grass or complete removal from grass may be required.
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Rye grass staggers: a large ingestion of endophyte toxins (a fungal toxin that lives on rye grass) can significantly affect the nervous system of the horse. The horse may stagger about, become uncoordinated, or show slow or careful foot placement.
Endophyte toxins trigger when the horse grazes stressed pasture. The symbiotic relationship of the endophyte toxin on the grass protects the grasses survival, by poisoning the grazing animal. When this happens, immediate removal from pasture is required until the horse recovers. Hay is given as forage in the interim. When the horse has recovered usually over 7 days, turn out should be a different paddock with longer pasture to mitigate the stressed pasture. Toxin binder for horses | Digest Easi are recommended to use in conjunction in order to eliminate the toxins from the horses’ system.
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Changeable weather pattern: humid or damp conditions are prime for mould toxins. During wet and warm weather your horse may benefit from mycotoxin binders as a preventative measure, particularly if feed storage conditions are not optimal and weather conditions are changeable, warm and wet.
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Feeding hay: sometimes hay may be a season old or stored in hay sheds open to moisture in the air. Mycotoxin binders can be used to reduce the risk of toxin exposure from any potential unknown mycotoxins in hay. Some hay, and in particular where it doesn’t smell fresh may be harbouring hidden mycotoxins.
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Stressed pasture: when the environmental conditions threaten grass survival such as drought, frosts or other factors, a mycotoxin binder can be helpful to reduce exposure to ingested mould toxins.
In conclusion, it is important to note that mycotoxin binders are a supportive treatment, not a cure. Mycotoxin binders should be used to lessen the harmful effects of mycotoxins. Where necessary limit your horse’s exposure to contaminated feed or grass and feed other forms of forage such as hay or haylage to provide other feed for consumption.
Toxin binder for horses | Digest Easi and Opti-Mize | Grass affected Horses are both products that are effective for mycotoxin control and lessening the effects of mycotoxins in the horse. If exposore to mycotoxins is high, the dose may need to adjusted to every 12 hours for more coverage. Both products use Myco-fix, a proven and registered mycotoxin here in New Zealand.
Keep your horse thriving, happy and healthy by implementing a mycotoxin binder into your feed regime when necessary. This helps to ensure optimal health and behaviour.