Horses in Alachua County are in increasing danger all because of a weed.
Veterinarians across the county have reported an increased number of horses affected by creeping indigo, a hairy weed with pink flowers. If horses continuously consume the plant, it could be fatal. The toxicity of the plant takes a significant toll, said Dr. Robert MacKay, a professor at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine’s department of large animal clinical sciences.
"It’s not a big epidemic of horses dying every year," he said. "But when horses are affected, it’s very serious because at least half of them die — and not in a comfortable way for that matter."
The horses affected undergo weight loss, loss of consciousness, head pressing into corners, seizures and gum ulcers, McKay said.
"We haven’t found out how widespread this problem is," he said. "We know it’s getting worse, but that’s a very general understanding. Statewide, I’d say we’re talking about 20 or so horses a year."
The creeping indigo toxicity might be diagnosed more now because there is an increased awareness of it, said Rhiana McFarlin, a vet at Peterson and Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala.
She said the toxicity is rarer than people are making it out to be.
"Most horses won’t eat this plant unless they are not given other grasses or hay to eat," she said.
Abby Freund, 19, a UF animal sciences sophomore, said she has been a horse owner for seven years and has never heard about the creeping indigo toxicity.
"I’m not super knowledgeable, but being around horses for so long I’ve learned a lot," Freund said.
The goal moving forward is to eliminate it completely, MacKay said.
"Steps are being taken to educate people," he said. "There used to be a lot of cases that went undiagnosed as recently as five years ago. That doesn’t happen anymore."
