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Name: Alan Frost Comment3 days ago we lost our 7 yo Highland mare. Gone in 2 days. Looked fine but very ill next am, by 3 pm Royal Dick Vet School gave her peace. Swift and deadly. Learn the signs, pray for a solution. Thanks to Royal Dick for caring and understanding. Name: rachel CommentName: vanessa Briggs CommentLost Tara O Hara after a weeks stoic battle by vet Kearns and Rae to save her. Totally devastated but she has left me a stunning filly foal Name: chris johnson CommentLost Freddy 2 yr old colt yesterday Mon 31 March devastated as three days previos he was absolutley fine.Praying the vets can come up with a cure. Name: rachel dear CommentHi, Lost my 14 year old Welsh Section B Pony to GS yesterday am heart broken. Vet thought it was colic to begin with, but after a few hours it became obvious that it was GS. Name: Vicki CommentA year ago today my gorgeous 3 year old welsh cob, Charlie was diagnosed with chronic GS - he was one of the miracles who survived and is going from strength to strength, so glad he made it! Name: claire bland Commentlost my beautiful palomino 2year old gelding benson on the 24th feb to this wicked disease my third experience hope will be my last hope there will be a vaccine soon miss him loads xx Name: Annalee Relton CommentMy little girl and I have just recently lost our 9month sec A colt Bubbles, I would like to thank my vet caroline for advising me to send Bubbles up to Edinburgh University Thanks to all the staff there who looked after lil bubbs we miss him loads. Name: Rebecca Wcislo CommentLost my 3yo highland this weekend, still can't believe this viscous disease got him, you read articles about this but never think it will happen to yours. would just like to say thanks to my dad who did a brilliant job of looking after him. Name: Ally Gau CommentLost a 2yr old this afternoon to acute grass sickness, diagnosed at 5pm, and immediately euthanased. Second experience I have had, and hopefully the last. Name: ruebeneze CommentName: fiona smith CommentName: Claire CommentI would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year and hopefully a gs free year. Good luck Name: laura Commenti lost my pony on Saturday the 1st of dec and im still heart broken i just wish there was something i could do. really hope one day there is a cure for it Name: Caroline CommentAbsolutely devastated to lose Tehya on Saturday night. I didn't even know about this illness and now wonder what I might have been able to do for, my little one. Name: Sandra Anthony CommentThank-you so much untill l found your web site l had no idea what Grass Sickness was about, you have offered so much information, thanks to all the people who have shared their experiances with us they are real special people. Name: Melissa Baker CommentAfter losing my daughters' pony Dora on Friday 23rd November just less of 24hrs after being ill I have taken some comfort in this website knowing I am not alone and that I'm not to blame for her dying. Thank you xx Name: alex gallagher Commentlooking for advice, never seen a case and want to know what to be aware of as have highland ? susceptible breed Name: Jerzy Kita CommentI will be interested with recent article on grass sickness. Cause, treatment. Name: Sally Kraus CommentName: Claire Steel CommentThis is just a note to say thank you to all my friends for the ongoing support, all the emails I have received have been great. To everyone battling keep going you can beat this. To the critics and non believers wake up it could be you next. Name: Shona Marshall CommentLost my beloved Duke in April to GS and i miss him so much and going to do all i can to raise funds for GS and maybe we will get to the bottom of this terrible disease. Name:
Jennifer burke CommentI think this site is amazing when my daughters pony was suffering from egs i found it so comforting to read other peoples advice thankfully the little one is one of them miracles and survived thanks Name: Christine Gabler-Marr Commentliving through this nightmare at the moment with 3 cases (private yard. one acute case died within 8 hours, one diagnosed with colic with twist has had the op and seems to be pulling through though early days, the third with mild symptoms had usual colic treatment plus re-hydration drip) so very thankful for the information I have just read. Our French vets are aware of the disease but not sure on diagnostic/prognosis. I will translate this site and give it to them. Name: Sarah & David CommentWe have this year lost two ponies as a result of EGS, firstly may we say thanks for the support from the fund and the Vets in Edinburgh who have been great. Whilst we can only offer advice based on experience and as a result of this site, we would comment as follows: Firstly, all horse owners should read the advice on this site and pay close attention to the symptoms. If you suspect your equine has a problem call your vet immediately and if the vet suspects EGS ask him or her to immediately refer the equine to the Dick Vet College, and transport the equine WITHOUT DELAY. We say this for two reasons, firstly, if chronic EGS is diagnosed there is a 70% chance of success, therefore the quicker treatment is applied the greater the chance of survival. If Acute or Sub Acute EGS is diagnosed then the worst has to be expected, however by having your equine at the college (as opposed to home) the suffering and pain will be far less and in times of distress this is best for the animal. Whilst the cause of EGS is not truly known and we are still in the dark, there are preventative (risk reducing) measures you can take, details of which can be found on this site. We are very interested in the theory that soil disturbance can increase risk, twice this year (without our knowledge) there has been significant soil disturbance take place where our horses graze, and within days of this happening we have had two fatal cases happen, therefore we do suspect a link. As a prevention we have now blocked any access to our grazing land, this will eliminate land disturbance and hopefully reduce risk even further. In 6 years we have lost 5 horses, prior to us really researching this web site we have (like most people) kept our horses here and hoped against hope they will pull through, sadly they will not, which is why our point of referral via the vet to the college is extremely important. Sorry for rambling on. In closing, we have now set up a dedicated support web page on our web site, the link is www.highlandridingcentre.co.uk/egs which will go live on Monday 3rd September, we hope this will help the fund. If you are reading this and wish to discuss EGS with us (and we are not experts) please feel free to call, we can share our experiences and offer advice based on what we do now in order to reduce risk. Sarah & David Name: Claire CommentKath just read your message. I know exactly how you feel. I am also a yard owner. I can not describe the sick feeling I feel every second of every day. There is to much to write if you want to contact me feel free I will tell anything I can. Keep your chin up. Name: Kath CommentWe have recently lost a pony on our yard to egs and another has just been diagnosed this week. As a yard owner what can we do to help prevent this happening to other horses and ponies and to prevent the worry associated with this illness. Words can't explain how sorry we feel for the animals and owners concerned. Does the yard have to be quarantined? Nobody seems to offer any advice for yard owners and the future it looking very bleak! Name: Claire Comment8th case today 20 year old cob who's next. Name: Val Neil CommentOn 16th July I lost my beloved 36 year old mare, Jenna, to this vile disease. Within a matter of hours she had gone from a healthy, rounded horse, prancing and dancing like a 6 year old to something resembling a cruelty case. Her standing heart rate was 100 and her eyes just pleaded with me to help her - and all I could do was hold her as the vet put her out of her misery. I was privileged to own her for almost eight years and I will never forget her or stop loving her Name: Lesley CommentMy daughter's 5 year old Dutch warmblood was diagnosed with gs on Monday 12th June 2006. The following day, after a 5 hour journey and 2 hours of tests at dick vet in Edinburgh he very sadly had to be put down. Toby was a beautiful horse with a promising future. We will always miss him and think of him. Name: Liz Ledsham CommentFound this site by accident and brought back so many sad memories of two lovely young shires lost to gs many many years ago. Shed many tears at the time and so many today reading this site. Glad to see so much research is going into this dreadful disease. Many years after losing our lovely shires I read of "cure" given to a 3 day eventer which seemed to work and led to a recovery. This comprised of gorse and camomile which I think was given as some sort of brew. Always remembered it because I wished I'd heard of it at the time of the tragic loss of our young shires. Wonderful supportive website Ican still remember the pain that so many horse lovers are still going through. Name:
Anne Robinson Commenti have today lost my best friend to egs he was eight years old i bred him bottle fed him when first born and for the last 65 days of his live nursed him he will live on in our harts forever. Name: veronica Commentas a very lucky horse owner who has never had this horrid disease please forgive my stupid question is this disease passed on from horse to horse or from the ground the horse is on ? Name:
Beth Commenti have a 7 yr old pony and it is suffering from grass sickness at the moment we are doing all we can for her and i rally hope she pulls through i sit from 9am-12noon then 3pm-11pm trying every thing i can do Name:
Irene Commenti would like too thank everybody at dick vet who have cared for Anna my 2yr pony who is coming home after suffering chronic grass sickness without there care and dedication she would not be here. thanks/Irene Name: Nelly CommentIn Loving memory of Gulliver and Thomas Xxxx Name: fiona Commenti lost my horse to gs on monday after a long battle of 5 wks care so i can understand the pain that anyone goes through but well done to the people whose horses have survived this terrible disease one day there will be an answer Name:
Fiona Commenti lost my horse to gs on monday after a long battle of 5 wks care so i can understand the pain that anyone goes through but well done to the people whos horses have survived this terrible disease one day there will be an answer Name: Peter Carlisle CommentName:
Tracey Commenttwo friends have recently had to have their beloved horses humanely euthanized due to an outbreak of grass sickness in Aberdeenshire, one of which was a 4yr old highland stallion with a bright future, and the other was hoped to be in foal, it appears to me there are a lot of cases in Scotland, and wonder if certain regions are more affected? "run free with the breeze ,you wont be forgotten, with dad again" x Name:
Laura CommentName: Claire CommentOnce again gs has hit when least expected. Lost a 15 year old welsh pony to this horrible affliction. It has once again hit my yard for the 6th time this year I wish someone could tell me why. Name: Christopher Hobday CommentMy horse Mattie ( a 16.2 Thoroughbred )and I have been lucky and have not had to experience this horrible illness. I have found that this sight has been very helpful and informative for research. I wish all the best to all horses and riders. Also keep up the good work grass sickness .org. Name: Jenny Henderson CommentBest of luck to all of you who are going thro this awful disease, and I'm sorry for all of you who have lost horses to egs. I'm one of the lucky ones - my Clydesdale filly, Poppy, survived egs last year. She is fine - i took her to the highland show last week and she was 3rd...many thanks to all her supporters and well-wishers!! xx Name: Jackie Boddington CommentI lost my best friend Romney 5 years ago to EGS a massive blow to me, all you that have lost horses to this terrible thing understand the pain. This site gives amazing information and advise, keep up the good work and we all need to support The Equine Grass Sickness Fund so that hopefully we can get a result for this terrible condition. Name: Rachel CommentIn memory of Kassim. Died 30th April 2007, a week before his third birthday. A pure bred Caspian who we had decided to keep as a stallion and he was to be given to me for my 21st birthday. He carried a rare bloodline which made him genetically valuable as well as so special. Thank God we now have his full sister, a filly foal Cassie to carry on the line and hopefully next year another colt although Kassim can never be replaced. We had no idea he had EGS until he was dead, the vet didn't consider it as we are not in an at risk area. A bolt out of the blue. I hope it stays that way. Name: Carrie CommentIn Memory of Bess. My beautiful Irish filly was put down last week less than 24hrs after diagnosis with grass sickness. I had waited 10 years trying to get her mother in foal and finally succeeded with the orphaned colt she fostered once he matured to a stallion. I was overjoyed she was a filly as she was a rare outcross for the breed. As she grew she had the most wonderful temperament. Bold & trusting she took everything in her stride whatever we asked. She would leave the herd & come at a gallop when called, or stand quietly when required. She was never to have been sold at any price to anyone. I was the first thing she saw when born & the last as she died. A one in a million and impossible to replace.............. Name: Thomas CommentName: Danielle CommentIN MEMORY OF THOMAS AND GULLIVER. GULLIVER 3 DIED 15TH MAY 2006 AND HIS BEST FRIEND THOMAS AGED 6 DIED 12TH JUNE 2006 . THOMAS STILL MISSED BY HIS MOTHER DOLLY. MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH EVERYONE THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THIS HEART BREAKING DISEASE. Name: Kirsty Dunning CommentIt's been 2 months now since Flicka died and I am now well in to training for the Loch Ness Marathon (26.2 miles!) in October. I am running for the Equine Grass Sickness fund and all sponsorship money I raise will be donated to them. If anyone would like to support me, please email me. I am doing this for the memory of Flicka and also for every other horse, pony (or donkey) that has ever been lost to this terrible illness. Name: jennifer burke Commentgreat work and lots of interesting and helpful tips from your readers Name: Delyth Roberts CommentI lost my beautiful boy (Merlyn - 10 year old bay cob type gelding) to acute egs last Sunday; it was diagnosed in the afternoon and he was put to sleep that evening - a very difficult decision but the vet (a very experienced, knowledgeable and humane guy) made it clear that Merlyn would be in a lot of pain and distress once the pain-killing injection he had given him wore off and that he would be dead within 24/48 hours anyway. I loved my 'boy' very much and will always miss him; we had six great years together he will never be forgotten. Despite probably being worried for their own horses, everyone at the livery yard has been very kind and supportive; I hope they don't have to go through this. Name: carol hazeldine Commenti would like to say anybody that is nursing a gs horse keep going if you can as we got throuth after loosing 3 horses last sept. she is doing well but it took over 6 months of dedication i think there are more and more cases over a wider area Name: Alex Jakob-Whitworth CommentHave heard of a cluster at an acquaintances yard this month in Yorkshire - four much loved horses lost. A fifth still ill. Complete mystery - harrowing questioned? Please spread the word about this awful disease. Name: Anne Robinson CommentI am at this moment trying to nurse my horse who has egs thank you for giving me more information about this horrfic disease. Name: begge CommentName: Fiona Anderson CommentI lost my beloved Major on the 6th of June he was 22years old and had been with me for 15 happy years . I also lost his companion my wee Shetland pony 13 days before , l found him dead in the field and now l am beginning to think is there any connection. After Buddy's death Major was moved to another field so he could have contact with other horse's he had been in the field for12 days and on Tuesday night found him looking every ill and called the vet who at first though it was liver problems but after a second opinion l was told it was grass sickness. He could not drink and had very little gut movement and a resting heart rate of 70, l felt that he was uncomfortable but not in severe pain but l was told what to expect over the next 24 hours and l couldn't put him thru that, so my darling boy was put to sleep in his old field . In memory of my boys Wee Buddy and Major Name: Jane Butt CommentI have lost 4 Horses to EGS and a Horse in a neighbouring field to ours has also died of EGS. I am determined to try to find the primary cause ( although I have been told just to accept what has happened and move on!!!). Grass sickness is very rare in our area, and certainly never a cluster like this. My Livery business is certainly finished. Horse owners in the area are worried because as they know so little about the disease, they think it is contagious and have stopped coming to our Horse feed Shop. The only link we can find with our affected fields and our neighbours field is that all 3 fields have suffered from pollution by raw untreated sewage overflowing from sewage manhole covers either on our land or adjacent to and then flooding onto the field. This pollution has happened over the last nine months. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who thinks they might have had any sort of pollution ( streams, flooding, birds, etc) in the years prior their own case of EGS. The loss of my Horses and my Livery Horse is too much to bear. I lost three homebred full brothers and sisters. My heart goes out to all of you who lost Horses in this way. I call it the Invisible Killer - when will it strike next. Name: Jane Butt CommentName: Lesley Thompson-storr Commentpesticide straying. I recently lost a horse and myself ended up in hospital due to a neighbour spraying carrots. I am interested in anyone else who may have suffered. My land was also tested and found to have been contaminated over 20feet from my boundry. please contact me if you or any of your horses have suffered Name: Dawn Goodhall CommentI lost my 10 year old ID x Connemara gelding, Billy, to acute grass sickness on 28 March 2007, just four days short of his eleventh birthday. He contracted the disease less than 24 hours before and was put to sleep on the day of diagnosis to prevent further suffering. It was the most distressing thing I have ever been through. We had four and a half years together, the memories of which will never go. I so admire those of you who have stayed with it and your horses have come through it. Love them today because you don't know what will happen tomorrow. All my hopes lie with the EGS fund - good luck to you all. In memory of Billy (Moorpark Bill). Name: Lesley Blogg CommentMy nearly 4 year old warmblood is about 24 days into chronic EGS - we are nursing him and are crossing everything in the hope that he will make a recovery. Best wishes to everyone who is in the same boat, or who has been through it before. Name: CLAIRE STEEL CommentJUST TO SAY TO ANYONE GOING THROUGH THE HELL OF GRASS SICKNESS, STAY STRONG, WE HAVE LOST 5 HORSES IN 2 WEEKS AND HAVE A CHRONIC CASE AS I SPEAK. I HAVE ONLY MADE IT THIS FAR THANKS TO GREAT VETS AND THE STRENGTH OF THE PEOPLE AROUND ME. TO THEM I SAY THANK YOU THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. Name: Rikke Peters CommentWe lost 2 horses in 2 weeks, to the Grass sickness...So sad. Let's do what we can to help the research of this sickness. Name: Johanna Paulsen Commentmy horse was fine one day and die the next day she die from colic Name: michael histed Commentit was nice to see something is being done. Name: Jo CommentIn loving memory of Morgan, the kindest horse there ever was, sadly lost 19/5/07 Name: Heirloom carriage driving CommentWe are impressed at the useful and interesting information on your web site Not enough known over the problem and not coved in courses with equine collages in the Uk . As in Canada and over seas . Well done and thank you so much -keep up the good work . Name: Michelle rudd CommentI have just lost my Clydesdale X to this dreadful disease. I brought my field about 2 and a half years ago and over this period of time I have had three different horses along with my horse tyler on the land with no problems up until now. I have had horses for years and never even heard of grass sickness until I moved into steep/petersfield hants. Their have been several cases locally. What a dreadful illness! I will miss Tyler so much - I have had him since he was a few months old - I had to have him put down 4 days befor his 3rd birthday. His eyes looked at me and he told me that he'd just had enough. It wasn't fair to keep him going. I couldn't bare to see him so depressed and so poorly. He had a massive impaction that had been removed from his intestine - but his digestive system had just given up. He was being tubed through his nose 3 times a day with 15 litres of fluid being removed each time. He started to have muscle spasms and he would pore the floor. I have terrible guilt feelings thinking could he have survived - I miss him so much it's so painful i feel like my heart has been ripped out. I lost my horse Goldie many years ago to old age - I thought that was bad enough - but at least then we had years of happiness and fun together, she'd had a fab life. Tyler had his whole life ahead of him - he was going to be our family pony to a ripe old age. Its just so tragic. To top it all i am 14 weeks pregnant - I feel so exhausted. Did i do the right thing? Name: JIM WEIR CommentMy daughter Lucy lost her 7 year old pony Milly on Sunday to this terrible disease( EGS). which we had never heard of. She used to loan one before Milly but the owner came and took him away. This left her broken-hearted, so we got Milly on loan for her to ease the pain. Then this owner was forced to put Milly up for sale in January , i couldn't see her suffer again so we bought her for Lucy. Lucy and her mum had to go and suffer the bad news at the vet in Edinburgh then come home to tell me what happened. I want to thank everyone there who helped them both. I am also going to try and organise some fund raising event to donate to this charity so any suggestions are appreciated. Name: mandy sall CommentBHS GRAMPIAN HELD A GRASS SICKNESS TALK ON 19TH April. 2007. JENNY HENDERSON FROM EDINBURGH CAME AND GAVE A VERY INFORMATIVE TALK FOR US. I ORGANISED THE TALK IN MEMORY OF MARTI WHO I LOST LAST JUNE. WE RAISED £50.00 WHICH I AM SENDING TO THE FUND. I AM WORRIED NOW AS THE WEATHER HAS BEEN WARM AND IS NOW COLDER. BE VIGILANT EVERYONE AND DON'T THINK IT IS JUST A TOUCH OF COLIC IT COULD BE EGS. GET THE VET IF YOU HAVE THE SLIGHTEST WORRY. A TIP FROM JENNY - IT COULD BE THAT HARROWING THE GRASS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR CAN TRIGGER EGS. LOOSE SOME WEIGHT AND GET FIT BY HAND POO-PICKING!! THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME AND SUPPORTED THE TALK - MOSTLY MY FRIENDS WHO KNEW MY MARTI. MANDY Name: sam dean Commentthis web site is the best idea anyone could of thought of. i lost my 8 month old foal 28th april 07 on my 30th birthday. My thoughts are with everyone that has gone through this heart breaking disease. Name: Pragnanand CommentI have gone thorough the website and learned something about the EGS. Like to know more about it. Thanks. Name: caroline sturrock CommentIn memory of "Dazzle". You gave me a lot of pleasure in the last 9 years. I am so sorry it ended this way. Name: Heather and Kirsty Dunning CommentWe lost our fit and healthy 27 year old mare last week of sub acute grass sickness. We were totally shocked and broken hearted. We went onto this website to fill in the research form and read the info on grass sickness and the website was such a help. We are now determined to do whatever we can to help the Equine Grass Sickness Fund to find a cure or prevention for this terrible condition. Name: Fiona MacGregor CommentI lost my 7 yr old cob, Figaro over the Easter weekend to sub-acute grass sickness, we had such plans for this summer, I am devastated. If you want to help the University of London have recently advertised in Horse and Hound for sites where they can take soil and plant samples from locations where grass sickness has occurred for a new study. If you too want to help try to find a cure for this horrible disease get in touch with Sarah.Edwards@pharmacy.ac.uk. Name: Fiona CommentName: Lissa Charles CommentOn the 18th April I lost my beloved little Kimba, he was an 11 month old black part-bred Dales due to sub-acute grass sickness. He had a wonderful nature & we hoped he would have a fantastic future, his life was cut very short, my heart is out there with everyone who has had similar experiences, now praying for Thomas, my other 15 year old Dales. Name: julie lowe CommentIn Loving memories of Corona, My appaloosa mare, lost 2 years ago today due to grass sickness. x Name: Alison Gilmer CommentI lost Clyde a 6yr old Clydesdale to grass sickness on 3rd October 2005 we had only had him two years and was just growing into himself. He had been kept in a back garden before we rescued him and was in an awful state. Then 16th April 2007 I lost my 15yr old thoroughbred mare Lily to grass sickness, i had had her for 11yrs she got me through losing Clyde and was the most important person in my life, my baby. I hope that someday there will be a vaccine for this awful disease and no more owners will have to suffer what we have as it's so quick you don't have a chance. My heart goes out to all those who have had to make the decision to say goodbye, but well done for giving your horse the love and care you did. x Name: Fiona Sinclair CommentThis site is invaluable to all who have gone through the heartbreak of watching their beloved horses with this condition. I take my hat off to you and those of you who strive for an answer to this awful condition... we need people like you.....thanks so much.... Name: Danieel Swain CommentMy daughters four year old sec a pony has today been diagnosed with acute gs we are devastated if anyone can offer any advice. Name: Helen Commenti have only just seen this website as i work for a charity. I lost my 3yr old in Sept 1995. he was a lovely foal and was really growing into himself and he had the acute sickness. Name: Cheryl Clarke CommentMust applaud you on the care and attention spent in nursing my daughters horse through grass sickness disease last year. He is doing really well now thank you so much. Name: Bev Wilkes CommentI try to support the EGS fund as often as possible. I lost my 2 year old in July 04, so all money raised to get a vaccine for this must b great! Name: ellisa CommentI lost my 3yr old sec d on Jan 2nd, acute EGS. real nightmare, he was 4th case on this yard in bucks. i miss and love him so much even though we only shared 6 months together, my heart goes out to everyone who has lost a friend or is treating one with gs. for chronic cases try to mash up the feed with loads of water like a soup....see if horse can try and drink/slurp the nutrients/fluid down, works for my friends cob, he is getting fat!! Name: Ingrid Birlouet CommentDear Sheli, I received your email and tried to answer it but it keeps coming back to me. Is there a problem with your provider ? I would love to be in contact with you! Love, Ingrid Name: Ingrid Birlouet CommentRasta is still improving. He goes out and eats well. He still needs to gain a lot of weight but I think he is one of the lucky survivors. If I can be of any help to someone, please do not hesitate to contact me. CommentName: Amy Commenthi I had my horse at Bebside at a farm and i went to see my dad for a day and the persons daughter who owned the farm took my horse out for a hack and then my mum's friend said that she seen my horse and she said she looked totally happy as ever and then the next day the owner of the farm rang and said that she had to get my horse put down because she had grass sickness i never got to see my horse again coz you or anybody else ask all the vets in Northumberland if they have put a horse down for grass sickness she was a speckled grey Arab mare she was 20 years old she cribbed bite but i love her i don't know if she has been put down or not or she has been put on an other farm without my permission. thanks please email me back. Name: LARRY Cooper CommentName: jo highfield Commenti lost my horse to grass sickness in October 2006 an still haven't been paid out by the insurance co as they don't understand disease please check your insurance docs and ask lots of questions rip king loved u lots. xx Name: marita o'sullivan Commenthey, i was wondering if anyone could give me some info on grass sickness? I'm not sure what it is, but my sisters pony isn't himself. . . he's been thrashing his head around a lot, won't eat properly and appears distressed. does anyone know what this is? we just moved him to greener pasture recently. . but this has happened before and he's never reacted so strangely. please email me! Name:
Joanne CommentMattie, I think you are confusing grass sickness with laminitis. They are not the same disease. Joanne Name: Mattie Goodwin Commenti had a horse that had grass sickness; wondering if the horse was normal in autumn; winter and summer and foundered in the spring does this mean if she looked normal in the other months would she still founder if you moved her off the pasture in the spring into a barn and then put her back on the pasture; or wondering if they founder once does it still occur in the spring. is the founder still in her; is it degenerative or does it occur only in spring. any help? Name: Caroline Crabtree CommentName: Gemma Young Commenthi love this site I've seen 3 horses with grass sickness and another 1 that was suspected with it (this 1 pulled through). I am doing a equine course at college and have to do a project and have decided to do a case study on gs i am amazed at the amount of people that don't know about it and would like to help make people more aware if anyone has any info or stories that i can use it would be very helpful thanks Name:
Freda Stuart CommentName: Jenny CommentFundraising day in aid of EGSF in The Pantry, Cromarty (30mins from Inverness) this Saturday (2nd December), soup, bacon rolls, tea/coffee, delicious home-made cakes, raffle, games etc, 10am-5pm Name: Laraine Huggett CommentI have lost 1 welsh cob to gs at 2 years old, however there is hope as his brother had it and is still here a year and two months later. He is now in good health and been to our local show, he didn't come in the top two as he did before however 4 place isn't so bad. If anyone wants to know what I did email me. Name: Equine Grass Sickness Fund CommentDear Claire Ward, Sorry to hear about Tusox. If you would like to fundraise for EGSF that would be great. Please email me your home address to us via the connection on the website and we will send you our latest newsletter. Name: Diane Steadman CommentKnew of two Welsh cobs who died within a year of each other after staying on the same Cumbrian farm. One had the acute form of GS, the other the long lingering one. It's a terrible disease. My heart goes out to those with animals fighting it at the moment or who have lost loved ones to it. Name: Diane Steadman CommentI have friends who have lost horses to this awful disease. My sympathies to those who have also lost their beloved horses and good luck to those who are involved in research to combat it. Name: Claire ward Commentdo you need money to help find the cure for grass sickness i had a pony called tusox and he died of grass sickness so i want to do any thing i can to help raise money to help other ponies and horses survive it i am 13 years old please get back to me i'm eager to help. Name: Carol Gibson CommentName: Denise Commentl lost my welsh section d while i was living in Scotland on may 11th 2004 i still haven't got over losing him and don t think i ever will. i have just visit the site and feel for ever one who is going through this i know when i lost zarr one of the questions i had was what about my other horses could they survive i have been lucky the other 3 did survive and my mare even had a foal the following year and they all grassed the same land that my beloved zarr had so if one horse has it it don t always mean they all will get it Name:
Carol Hazeldine Commenti have lost my 3 beautiful shires to gs and know my loverly cob Rosie has it, please all pray that i can get her through it as i am heartbroken Name: athina tsok Commentyour site is great...however i will appreciate much if you provide some photos.. Name: Canterbury Horse Rescue CommentThis is a good site thank you. Your site has helped us Name: Emma Commenti just read Lauren Brodie's msg. im her bst m8 nd even i was sad wen Chester died. i have had 3 ponies in the past. polo- died of old age, princess- (was the most loved) who unfortunately died of colic, and song who made me lose all ma confidence. ma pony now-is 22- REBZ, has given me loads of confidence. i just wanna say weldun 2 evry1 involved in this fabulous charity. people (and horses) need people like u! loads a luv from emma luvz rebz (12yr old 3 days ago!) Name: Jim Dobson CommentName: jo highfield Commentjust being diagnosed with grass sickness day6 still holding on for king pray Oakland's vet Graeme Russ can pull him through this thanks for everyone's support xx Name: jo highfield CommentThank you so much read your advice on chronic cases pray to god my horse survives' Name: LJ CommentHI I LOST ME 18 Y O TB THIS YEAR TO GRASS SICKNESS. BUT I SEND MONTHLY FUNDS IN TO 'THE GRASS SICKNESS FUND'. Name: CHAUDHRY CommentI am just entering the web and will send my views later Name: Natalie Commentemail me for symptoms of gs and more info on it because i lost my bay foal due to the horrible disease Name: Lisa CommentI'm not sure but i think my very old horse might have this Name:
Fiona Preston Commentlost a 3 yr old a few weeks ago then her 3 year old companion became ill, looked very like grass sickness (muscle tremors, weight loss etc) but she is surviving 3 weeks on, gave her homeopathic gelsemium as well as rugging her one night, probably un-necessarily and she sweated so much and seemed to turn a corner thereafter - could she have "sweated it out" ? and could the gelsemium have worked? Name: Susan Lennox CommentName:
Anna Commenti lost my beloved first pony to grass sickness a month ago today. it was the most traumatic experience i've ever had to go through with one of my horses or ponies. She was diagnosed with acute grass sickness and didn't stand a chance. We made the decision to end her suffering before the disease killed her. She was 17 and i'd had her for 14 glorious years. She is very much missed and always will be. It was heartwarming to see the 4 horses and ponies at Blair horse trials who had overcome grass sickness. When i lost my angel i vowed to help others with this horrific disease. I hope to do a sponsored ride with my remaining horse to raise funds for the EGSF. If anyone wants to offer help/sponsorship, my email address is above. Name: Elizabeth Salmon CommentName: Lesley CommentMY FRIENDS HORSE HAD GRASS SICKNESS AND SURVIVED BUT IT WAS A STRUGGLE. Name: Gemma CommentMy heart goes out to you all that have have lost a friend to this awful disease. Good luck to all the survivors. Name: lindi lockley Commentis there a homepathic vet in lincolnshire Name: Samantha Wright CommentWe have recently lost our much loved pony Starburst. Name: LACQUA ROUSSEL VALERIE CommentjE VIENS DE VOUS ADRESSER MA D2CLARATION ET JE SUIS PRETE Ã VOUS AIDER DANS LA RECHERCHE Name: Alison Tarrant Commentwonderful website. just lost a pony to grass sickness and this website has helped us so much. Keep up the excellent work. Name: Jacqui Lamb CommentLost my boy last September although vet wouldn't or couldn't say what was wrong we just knew, Saturday he was fine, Sunday Morning Couldn't eat. I called vet right away, and in meantime gave liquid parrafin, didn't seem to be in pain but very upset at inability to eat, was following rest of horses around trying so hard to eat but just couldn't, started thrashing head about in trough but able to drink some. Very depressed so called vet at 7pm, vet wanted to send to Royal Dick, but we felt as he was so bad a 5 hour lorry journey was just pointless. Still don't know if we did the right thing, but went to sleep with dignity at 8pm, of course insurance would not settle as we refused to go to Edinburgh, but i feel my responsability as an owner was to my boy, and not to let him suffer. It's nearly a year now and am just about able to talk about it without crying. I have changed insurance companies and no longer insure for vet fees, only public liability and death. The money I save on premiums goes to the bank to pay the vet bills. I would never have been able to live with myself if that boy had to suffer any longer. Name: Gavin Murphy CommentName: Katy Clarke CommentWe are holding a fund raising day on the 20th August at the above address, ALL WELCOME. Name: Scott and Claire Green CommentWe have lost our cob Kewell today from grass sickness and colic we kept hime going for 20 days pain free but it got him in the end, i want to thanks ALL the vets at Minster Vet's, Joyce from GS Charity and a massive thanks to Angela Pulsford in north yorkshire, she was a GS survivor and our rock & also sheli from Ashington with jo thank you Scott and Claire x Name: MGBADA JOE ABA CommentI LOVE THIS PAGE. Name: Lauren Brodie CommentI unfortunately lost my much loved pony 2 years ago now to grass sickness and a day has not gone past without me missing him. It is by reading this site and hearing about other peoples horses/ponies, and especially the great news of those recovering that has helped me cope. To all those involved in this Charity, keep up the good work, we need people like you, love Lauren (age 12 years) Name: Charlotte CommentIt has been a year since my pony was diagonsed with grass sickness, he has returned to his cheeky self and has been to his first show. Name: luong Commenthic Name: Katy Clarke CommentSandy returned home on the 23rd July. A huge THANK YOU to all the staff involved in giving us our boy back... Name: decoodt CommentName: Emma Michel CommentOne week on from Buzz (beautiful and unreplacable 2 yr Sec A colt)leaving us, wonder if things will ever be the same. Since his death have now discovered am in the middle of East Sussex grass sickness belt and am wondering what I can do to warn/assist others. Name: Julie Purves CommentBilly came home on 14th July been a remarkable recovery so far. Getting lots of pampering and cuddles many thanks to all involved Bruce Scott and Vicky,I certainly didnt think he would be home a very special boy Name: Katy Clarke CommentSuch a dreadful disease! So sorry for your loss Mandy... if only there was something to say..... Name: Stefanie Kittler CommentYesterday my 2year old stallion suddenly got ill and it seems to be grass sickness - I've never heard of this cruel disease before and I'm really shocked. After having seen him today I haven't got much hope that he will be well again. Name: madge cummings CommentName: lauren barlow Commentat the riding school there have been 4 ponies who have died from grass sickness and there is 1 at the moment. it is a very sad thing to watch a pony go throw. me and my best friend are going to do some charity events to fund money for the charity. Name: mrs mandy sall Commenti have just lost my gorgeous coloured 5yo warmblood gelding. the edinburgh hospital and Dr Pirie and his team were quite marvellous in their care of Marti. i know he was in the only place that could have helped him. He had none of the obvious symptoms to be a clear cut case and i hope some good will come of the treatment and diagnosis in helping the research of this ghastly disease. Name: Jenny CommentSo sorry for your loss Kathleen...wish there was more i could say...take care. XX Name: Kathleen Grant CommentWe lost our beloved 9 year old Highland gelding on 4th June to this horrible disease. He was a superb pony and is greatly missed. Name: Ingrid Birlouet CommentRasta, our arabian gelding is doing well. He is eating two portions of mash a day and some carrots and apples. He does not want to go outside (maybe it is too hot for him ?) The homeopathic vet gave him his remedy and I think it is working well. He lost a lot of weigth but I am sure he will survive (he is at day 15 ! Name: Ingrid Birlouet CommentName: Julie CommentJust back from Dick vets Billy is looking a lot better, day 12. Eating everything put in front of him,certainly feeling more hopefull,thankyou Polly vet student for care of Billy good luck in your exams Name: Cheryl Clarke CommentVisited your site, by request of Katy, Sandie has developed GS and was admitted to Dick Vet yesterday. Praying for a good outcome for this equine gentleman, and will do all I can to get support for research into this dreadful disease. Name: Katy Clarke CommentSandy, our fab little fella was taken to the Dick Vet yesterday. We are ready and determined for the long haul to recovery. Name: Emma Williams CommentName: Julie CommentBilly my super cob diagnosed with grass sickness very determined boy taken to dick vet so far so good next door to lovely clydesdale fantastic care from staff Name: Martha Dalgarno CommentName:
Kerry Doyle Commentinteresting site. awful condition. wondered anyway to get into helping, researching, working with such cases Name: Ingrid Birlouet CommentOur 7 year old Arabian gelding has been diagnosed EGS 5 days ago. He is still eating small amounts and we try to nurse him as good and as often as possible. A homeopathic vet is coming to see him tonight and I will keep you posted on the outcome. Name: Jenny CommentSheli - I'm so sorry to hear your bad news. My beautiful Clydesdale yearling filly is on day 10 ... I took her to the Dick Vet in Edinburgh on Saturday, so far, so good. Seems the key is in the nursing. Perhaps worth a phone call to them or ask your vet to ring them ? best of luck ... xxx Name: Sheli CommentJo, my 4yr old trotter has just been diagnosed with this tragic condition, we are going to try and nurse him, any info from anyone who has been through the same would be greatly appreciated? Name: Debby Chivers CommentI found your site very interesting as I am very worried about the grass sickness and I feel not enough has been done. I know of 2 stallions that died just recently and I feel that they put it down to grass sickness as they did not know what it really was but I am now a lot happier that I know I can get help at any time. One of my favourites now. Thanks, Debby. Name: Pam and Paul Flower CommentThank you for an informative website. Name: Della CommentName:
Marietta CommentName:
Jennie CommentName: Asher CommentNice work by you to run this charity. I will send you some funds in the near future. Name: Tara Stocker CommentOn the 15th March 2006 I suddenly lost my rescued 22yearold TB to grass sickness. Lola was rescued 4 months previous and was turning the corner about to start a whole new life... early on the 15th of March my mare was checked only to be found in the exact same position I had left her the night before, she was lifeless, her weight was gone and all she was was a skeleton all her weight had dropped off within 24hours! she had every single symptom and after 2.5 hours of intense treatment from my vet we unfortunately lost my smashing, brave and big hearted mare x Name: LESLEY MAIR CommentVERY USEFUL, HELPED IN A WAY I HAD A PONY DIE A MONTH AGO WENT DOWN REALLY SUDDENLY VET DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER BUT ON READING YOUR ARTICLE I THINK SHE HAD ACUTE GRASS SICKNESS, SHE HAD MOST THE SYMPTOMS BUT STILL UPSETTING WHEN YOU DON T KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT AND HOW IT CAN BE PREVENTED. KEEP UP GOOD WORK Name: Gail CommentIt will be 1 year tomorrow (Monday) that we had our dear Fleur put to sleep after 4 weeks of fighting grass sickness. In memory of her and all the horses who have been lost I shall light a candle that will glow all day. To all of you on this site don't let them die in vain help to find the answers. Name: Karen Lewis CommentWe have just lost a 3 year old shire called spirit . Name: Anna Lewis CommentSorry...back again....what I meant to mention was that the recovered mare could take in small amounts of fluid. Usually they wont eat or drink although they try to. I raised her bucket from the floor to where her muzzle touched it when her head was at normal carriage height. When the tremors became pronounced, I donned a veterinary glove and back raked her. The shaking stopped after doing this and I did the same whenever it returned. ( back raking is the manual removal of faeces, which where compact, dry and partially undigested). I slept in the stall next to her stable with my groom for 10 days and we took turns attending her. We made a gel for the glove to back rake from parsley and jelly. ( Parsley is used as a bowel stimulant in children in Italy ....I used to live there and thought it might work for the mare). I also coaxed her to take a handful of molasses and calcium carbonate (chalk). I found a recipe for colic in a book my uncle (farmer who worked horses). Apparently, chalk absorbs toxins from the gut. (I have no proof of this...best ask a vet!) After a couple of hours, we coaxed her with squeezed out sugar beet with boiled linseed gel mixed in. Although she recovered, any exertion tired her and she would sweat up, but she was well enough after a year to go to a new home where she is kept as a companion to a pony. Probably just luck that she recovered although I would like to think that what we did for her helped a little. Name: Anna Lewis CommentKelly.. (SSPCA rescue) died of GS Oct 1985 Star...Shetland pony died of GS 1988 Big Will, 17.3 Clydesdale died of GS 1989 Gypsy, recovered from chronic GS but never regained stamina. Now a pet for a lady in the borders. Lady, welsh section A died of GS 2001. All cases occurred between May and October. All great natured horses..........all were missed greatly. Name: Anna Lewis CommentI have lost three horses to grass sickness of various ages. I took in many under nourished/neglected horses and ponies over a number of years. What I have noticed is that before they became ill, their coats became glossy, regardless of their overall condition. The weather was thundery for a few days before the onset. The routine in the stables was rigid. Feeds were given at precise times and never varied once set for each individual animal and hay was always from the same farm. My pasture was poor and although it was 22 acres, there were parts that were boggy where white puff mushrooms would grow. Reading about African Horse sickness, I found similarities. I also found out from the war department that the horses that were shipped home to the UK after the Boer war landed at Stranraer, Scotland, where they were then sent to farms in the Perthshire area to recover from the journey. Incidentally, Perthshire was the first documented case of grass sickness ... coincidence? OK...I'm a layman, but couldn't there be something in this? The weather before the cases I have had was similar to that found on the African plains during the rainy season. Could it be that the weather stimulates whatever it is that is the cause? I've watched some beautiful animals deteriorate rapidly due to this disease, and then had to find the courage to do the right thing for them. We can put a man on the moon, so what's so difficult about finding the cause of this disease? (and hence a cure) Perhaps if everyone that has had a horse die of this documented their findings, we might come up with a common denominator. There has to be a reason....or are the affected horses descendants of those who took part in the Boer war? Who knows? Name: julie gatt CommentIn memory of Sylvester a great little pony who will be missed by everyone. Name: Sandie Davidson CommentWe just lost our yearling highland gelding yesterday to Grass Sickness. I am absolutely devastated. Name: Elizabeth Salmon CommentI read the very sad story about guy with the Fell ponies. I too have a Fell gelding. I don't know if there are any cases of grass sickness in Sussex (hopefully not). Name: Martyn CommentIf someone can tell me what Grass sickness means because i have 4 horses and want to protect them from getting GS. So if anyone knows anything about it and prevention then please please please e-mail me! I have had my horses since I was 9. I am 18 now so I don't want to loose them now! many thanks!! Name: Natalie Miller CommentI lost my foal because of grass sickness !!!!! Name: Louisa Maskell CommentWe have just lost 2 ponies aged 23 and 27 to EGS. The first we didn't know had it and died within 12 hours. The second, Topaz, developed symptoms within half an hour and was euthanized 24 hours after diagnosis. I have another, Geri, 32, who has suffered dramatic weight loss in the last month, and has just been diagnosed with tapeworm. I strongly believe that the introduction of a year old colt into the field, has caused all the stress related issues, such as EGS and given my other pony worms! I can't believe that someone let an un-gelded colt into the field to terrorise our retired ponies! He also gave our donkey a black eye! Needless to say, he's no longer in the field. My heart goes out to anyone that has had to go through the trauma of making the decision to euthanize a beloved friend. I just wish that people were more aware of EGS, I'd never heard of it before Monday! Name: Phillippa Bird CommentI have not personally lost a horse to grass sickness but i work at the Liphook Equine Hospital. i have seen some cases in the year i have worked there unfortunately although given a chance all cases in my time there have been put to sleep. I am very interested in the condition although as a horse owner myself it is my worst fear for my beloved horse to get it. I have met a horse that has survived and i admire the owner and any other owners that have given up so much of their time to try to save their horse, my heart goes out to anyone who has lost a horse to the condition. i hope one day more will be known about the condition. Name: Jane CommentI too lost my horse to grass sickness 4 years ago. This site is a help and a comfort and I check it regularly to see if there have been any new insights as to what causes this illness and what we can do to protect other horses. Name: Sophie Maxwell CommentThis site has helped me a so much, i lost my horse 4 years ago to grass sickness after nursing her back to health from neglect and ill never get over it so finding out some of what may be causes has helped as ive always woundered if it was something i had done or if i could of prevented it from happening and i will keep visiting hoping one day a known cause will be on here so i can finally know what caused it to happen! Thank you Name: Emily Thomas CommentThank you, it has taken me nearly 4 years to visit this site as losing a horse to grass sickness was so distressing an experience, but I'm very grateful there is such a research facility out there. Name: Mrs Fiona Carpenter CommentName: Cheryl Wiseman CommentLost Jay who was on two weeks trial to acute grass sickness. He had just three days on our field with my mares before spending the next eight on box rest due to being kicked. How has this happened? This beautiful, uncomplaining horse reduced to a sweating, quivering wreck in less than twelve hours. Was it really those three days that did this to him? What about my mares, no longer on that field? Name: Carolyn CommentMy Auntie bought a pony in April last year and a week after we had him we had to call the vet due to the fact that he was tucked up all the time, the vet told us that our pony had grass sickness after a long examination. we fought day and night with him he lost all his weight and lost all his energy, we was feeding him 6 times a day and always tempting him with other foods, we had to put all his carrots and cabbage in the blender to make it easier for him all his feeds were mixed with water because he gave up drinking. We also had to empty his bowels because he could not do it. We fought with him for months nursing him through the night but we never gave up hope, and now he is back in work and enjoying it. All i would say to all you people out there who have horses that are suffering with the dreadful disease don't ever give up hope. good luck. thank you to all the people at the EGSF who helped us all the way. Name: Charlotte Barry CommentI have got a Connemara that has recovered from grass sickness. He his now 7 months into the illness, and is nearly fully up to weight, life and attitude. It was a tough 7 months, but thanks to a lot of peoples help and advice to bring Rummy out the other side, especially Joyce. If you have found out that your horse has got grass sickness always look on the positive side because some horses do make it. If you want any advice or just someone to talk to email me. Charlotte aged 15 Name: Ria Vogel CommentName: Viki L. Williams CommentI have a friend in Scotland that just put a horse down from this. I have never heard of this in the States. I am so sorry for people who lose one to this. Name: Helena Shelton CommentI lost my best friend on the 6th of jan to this cruel disease Name:
Emma Watson CommentName: Gail CommentDon't know why you cant get through try the above Terri Thanks Gail xx Name: Terri CommentHiya Gail, was just wondering if you had another email address that I could possibly contact you on, as yours seems to be failing? Get back to me as soon as you can Thanks xxx Terri n Zorro Name: Terri CommentJust to let you know Gail that if you have not already received the email, with attached photographs of Zorro then you may want to take a look at your email account. Hope too speak soon. Name: Holly Robinson CommentName: Gillian Blackburn CommentI have found this website very useful, its got so much information, I've found everything I was looking to know. This charity is fantastic. Name: Terri CommentGal will try and get onto the internet to contact you tonight thanks xxx Name: Gail CommentTerri I have tried to e-mail you but keeps getting returned, if you mail me then I can get back to you. Also see the discussion forum ref Tally Name: Susie Main CommentI know someone who lost 3 of her horses within a fortnight to Grass Sickness, and last year a neighbour lost her Highland to it .. we live in an area where there's a particularly high incidence so it's always a worry at the back of my mind - I really appreciate the people who run this site & do so much to help - thanks. Name: Terri-Louise Garnett CommentHad a horse that has just recovered from grass sickness. He went up to the Royal Dick Hospital. I am only 15 and had Zorro my black, dales, 15.1hh horse for only 5 months when he was diagnosed. It is one of the most traumatic things I have ever gone through and if your horse has got grass sickness hang in there and hopefully all will turn out well. I along with many others realise your pain and discomfort but if you have the same result as me the bond between you will become ever more strong. My other 15 year old friend lost her 16hh shire to grass sickness also in September and however upset she felt she still remembered her odd times with Tango and she is truly appreciative of the help and support she along with her family was given in Tango's final hours. Gail in Monmouth please email me and keep me updated on how Tally is doing and feel free to email anytime when you feel in need of someone to talk too who has been in the same dreadful situation as you Thanks xxx Name: liam Commenthi mate Name: Kirsty Jones CommentName: Gail CommentHi Vee Thinking of Tally and praying for her to pull through. Why don't you look at the discussion forum lots of info on there and support. LOL Gail Name: Vee CommentTally is at the RVC with grass sickness, she is at day 16 today and still putting on a brave face. We are all really hoping she pulls through, she is a real treasure. I'm so sorry I missed the stand at the HOYS, I didn't realise you were there :-( Name: Philippa Gammell Chairman CommentWelcome to all new visitors and those who visited us at HOYS. Name: Bob Elliott CommentSaw your pitch at HOYS and taking notes..... Name: Janet Finch-saunders CommentI am heartbroken because I had to have my 6 month old black filly foal put to sleep yesterday at leahurst. they discovered a very rare heart condition but the 8 days prior she was exhibiting signs of jaundice . Has anyone else suffered a heart complication in a foal? Name: Carrie CommentHi Sue, that really is awfully kind of you. I will keep in touch and let you know how everything goes. Name: Jane CommentHi Carrie, I would have been very happy to sponsor my son to do a 2 hour silence when he was 18 provided silence meant no loud music booming from his bedroom either! I think it's a lovely idea to pay tribute to Smokey and I'll sponsor you whatever you decide to do. Good luck. Name: Carrie CommentHi Everyone My pony Smokey died of Grass Sickness very suddenly on 7th January 2004, and to mark the second anniversary in January in his memorium I am hoping to do some form of fundraising event for the Equine Grass Sickness Fund. Smokey helped many people during his life, both people and other animals and like all horses did not deserve to die or to have to suffer due to this dreadful disease which claims so many innocent lives every year. I think he would be pleased that his memory was being honoured through raising money which I hope will allow many horses and ponies to be more fortunate than himself. I have been racking my brain thinking of various activities, but things like a sponsored walk or an event would not attract much interest where I live, and I'm also just recovering from a big knee operation. At the moment, I'm thinking of something that just I do, and thought of a basic 2 hour sponsored silence, but I'm really not sure if this would be suitable at 18 - is it too simple or do I go for it? Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm a little unsure and a little lost! Many thanks!!! Carrie Name: Gail Dunsbee CommentSue Miller I agree with you 100% , there needs to be far more acknowledgement of this discease and understanding of what signs to look for, Vets are far too handy with antibiotics as a so called cure all.... Name: Autumn vandermeer CommentName: SUE MILLER CommentI THINK THAT VETERINARY SURGEONS SHOULD DO MORE RESEARCH IN TO THE SYMPTOMS OF GRASS SICKNESS. WE WERE TOLD OUR FOAL HAD A VIRUS AND WAS GIVEN ANTIBIOTICS, WE WERE TOLD TO COMPLETE A WEEKS COURSE OF ANTIBIOTICS BEFORE WE LET HIM KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY IMPROVEMENT, HE DID WARN US THAT AS OUR FOAL HAD LOST WEIGHT HE WOULD GET WORSE BEFORE HE GOT BETTER. AFTER A WEEK OF ANTIBIOTICS AND NO CHANGE AND A DRAMATIC WEIGHT LOSS WE RANG THE VET AGAIN AND SAID THERE WAS NO CHANGE, HE CAME AND CHECKED HIM OVER AGAIN AND SAID ITS NOT A VIRUS I THINK HE HAS GRASS SICKNESS BUT BY THIS TIME HE WAS TOO WEAK TO BEGIN ANY KIND OF TRATMENT AND HE HAD TO BE PUT TO SLEEP. IF HE HAD MORE INFORMATION ON GRASS SICKNESS HE COULD HAVE DIAGNOSED IT STRAIGHT AWAY AND SAVED OUR FOAL FROM A WEEKS SUFFERING. Name: Holder CommentNever saw any thing has bad has grass sickness & i pray i never have to see any horse go though this horrible illness, Gob bless you all who has lossed a horse or is going though this now. Name: Claire CommentI came across a horse suffering from grass sickness he was in a very bad way and with lots of tlc and the help of a spiritual healer the horse recovered and is now back to his old self. we go to the grass sickness show at Muirmill to support raising funds for grass sickness. Name: Haz Commentone of our dearest friend's lost her 3yr old ob after only buying him 6months before. at first we the vets though it was colic so opened him up to have a look but found nothing after doing this they found that after the surgry they had made the grass sickness worst and him had to be put down in the next 24hours. we now do a yearly show to raise money for the grass sickness fund and by doing this we hope that other horses lives an be saved. Name: charlotte Commentmy 3 year old appaloosa is just recovering from a really bad skin problem she has been out of work for 6 mths she lost all her fur from the top of her ears to her hind fetlocks we nearly lost this lovely mare.!! Name: Helene CommentOn 15th May 2004 I lost Speckle to this horrible disease. It came on really quickly and she was put to sleep within 24 hours after a lot of poking a prodding, and a trip to an equine hospital. She stayed my Speckle right up until the end, fought the nurses at the hospital like hell!! If she had been kept alive any longer she would have gone downhill very quickly. Although a year has passed and I now have another pony, I still miss her terribly. She was my best friend, albeit a bit feisty!! To anyone who has lost a horse or pony to this disease, you have my deepest sympathy. Name: the o'neil family Commentwe lost our bay mare Cleo in may past. it was awful. we held a raffle at our local riding school were cleo was kept and raised £200 for the grass sickness fund. we plan to keep fundraising. we would also like to say thank you to the people at the fund for the lovely letter you sent us. Name: michelle Commentin memory of my beloved smartie who was put to sleep one year ago today because of grass sickness. I miss you more than ever smartie, forever in my thoughts and heart. sorry it turned out like this. michelle xxxx Name: sheila CommentName: Gail CommentHave just lost our 2 yr old filly after 5 weeks to this awful disease, have 2 other mares 12& 18 on same pasture. It started with diarrhoea, she fought like hell to stay alive , wanted desperately to eat but couldn't swallow properly, need more info regarding what we can do to help ie detox and immune boosting stuff like L'Glutamine to give them support internally, feel like I didn't do enough and learned more too late. Very broken-hearted Name: tammy Commentjust want to learn about everything possible when it comes to a horse we own 17 of them love everyone of them Name: Delia Cumming CommentLast year in May I lost my 7 yr old section D to this vile illness. This year, just yesterday, 4th May, I lost Roxy, my 3 yr old, gorgeous, dark grey Highland to another form of this horrible sickness. Thankfully I have sold my other mare and now need to get my 3 yr old gelding of this poisoned land. The irony there is that Roxy and Oliver were potentially sold as well and Oliver was going as a companion. Could it be 'cause it's next to the A9? Could it be 'cause there are three water courses adjacent to the land? Either way, I will have no more ponies on this land. Why my girls? There was a Clydesdale and a Shetland lived on the land for three years before I moved mine on. Life's so unfair. Name: Tarnia CommentSo sorry for your loss Julie My thoughts are with you if you need to chat just email me . I lost my beloved Lilly in Jan as is previously entered in this visitors book . I have have picture on my front room wall with a note under her picture saying when she foaled an when she died . I think of her every day and she is certainly sadly missed but always remembered . Name: julie lowe Commenti lost corona on 18/04/05 to agsd,(9 yold,appaloosa mare)a much loved and missed, best mate!!! Name: Miss Alison Short CommentWhat a great support system this site is, sadly i lost my filly nearly ten years ago to this dreadful disease. I only wish i had, had this kind of reference to communicate with as well as having others in a similar situation to share the tears with! Name: K. CommentIt is 1 year and 7 months now since my pony died of this disease. He was only 4 years of age. I was 12 at the time when he was put on loan and had him since he was 7 months old. I feel so guilty now putting him on loan, as he was near 400 miles away at the time and could not see him or be near him while he was going through this disease. The lady who had him on loan at the time, made sure he got all the treatment that was needed. So the 2 big disappointments that came out of this was, i would never see my wee welsh mountain again and she never insured him after having him on loan for about 10 months, on which this was agreed she had to do while having him on loan. Just a picture of him from her! I miss you so much Cav and i am so sorry and won't make the same mistake again x Name: Emma Watson Commentmy deepest thoughts are with you tarnia, my beloved Lego, is in his 15th day with GS....... he had a biopsy 2 days ago, waiting results.....im torn to pieces every day i visit him, i just want him better & to come home........he needs to keep fighting, i love him so much Name: tarnia Commentlost my little girl Lilly to acute gs on Sunday 31 jan 05 . she was just 3 years old and in foal . Now Sparkys got it to . Shes survived 48 hours . Just keep fighting please . We will miss you all so much . Lets just pray the two 2 year olds don't get sick . I love them all so much Name: Jane CommentHope Jake is doing O.K. Thinking of you, Kay; good luck. Name: Emma Watson CommentName: Kay M.Bruce CommentJake is at Leahusrt Vetinary Hospital with suspected grass sickness, we are waiting for the biopsy on Monday and just hoping. Name: Kay M.Bruce CommentJake stabled in Darwen Name: Carrie CommentIn memory of my pony Smokey who died one year ago on 07/01/2004 suddenly of Chronic Grass Sickness. He did so much for me, and so much for so many other people. Thank you to everyone here who helped me when I struggled - your help and caring advice was a massive boost to me,thanks especially to Pauline Tugwell, who was there for me and has remained a good friend ever since. Thanks also to Joyce at the EGSF who sent me some really interesting articles on Grass Sickness when I needed most to find out about this dreadful disease, so I could try and stop it occuring ever again. To everyone - sorry for your loss. If anyone wants to share experiances or talk my email address is above. Goodluck and look to the future, it is the best way. Smokey (Top Gun) you will never, ever be forgotten. You will remain in my heart forever. Name: Jane Bates CommentSian, I'm so sorry about your horse. I had my boy for 12 years from the day he was born till the day we had to have him put down because of EGS. So believe me I know how you feel. The latest EGSF newsletter is full of the most up-to-date info. and this website is the best I ever found. If you want to chat, my e-mail address is there. Best wishes. Name: Sian Duncan CommentMy horse was put down this weekend 18/12/2004 due to chronic grass sickness, we had been together for 10 years i got him when he was 3 months old we rescued him. I would like to learn all there is to know about this which might help me understand more... Name: Randall Ray Arms CommentAbout 8 years ago I participated in the diagnosis of the first case of grass sickness found in central Chile. Coming from the states this was a totally new disease for me. Since, there have been many other cases that have been discovered making it obvious that the conditions in central Chile are suitable for this multifactorial problem. Name: Marsha Holtham CommentI just needed to do some research on grass sickness, the vet thinks my beloved kelly has it, ive just got in from the yard and thought id look for some information on it as its something ive heard of but never come accross it before. My mare is 24 years old and my best friend, my vet has just left and said she has all the symptoms, so i really wanted to know what im dealing with. Name: Janet Burts CommentThank you for having this informative site. We may have a possible case of EGS on our farm. We do not graze our horses, but did purchase some questionable local hay that was introduced to our horses shortly before they took ill in July 2004. The larger draft horse appears to not be able to maintain weight and has multiple symptoms including the drop of the eye lid. We are saddened, confused, and praying for a difinitive diagnosis from our vetrinarian. Name: Nichola Mackay CommentName: Sallyann Davies CommentMy Welsh Cob Cross mare has been diagnosed with sub acute grass sickness. She is at Leahurst Equine Hospital on the Wirral awaiting a biopsy result to confirm the diagnoses before they put her to sleep. At only 7 years old, it is such a tragic waste of a brilliant horse. Name: Karla marion CommentI miss here Name: Maureen CommentSadly missed, My precious boy Ruaraidh. Great confidence giver whilst i learnt to ride and great partner for jumping. There never was nothing that i couldn't ask you to do! ((((big hugs Ruaraidh)) xxxx Name: Tanya CommentThank you for making this site it helped a lot to help me understand GS Name: Tanja Jensen CommentThanks for making this site! It gave us a lot of help, when our pony got sick. It made a big difference for us! Name: Joan Alexander CommentWell done, Joyce. A very informative site. I lost a two year old Highland filly to GS a few years ago and would never want to see this dreadful disease again in any of my ponies. I had a stud visit from Border Highland Pony Club on 15th August 2004 and will be sending you a donation of the money kindly donated by the club. Name: Liz Shaw CommentMy boy is at the dick vet with GS, looks like it's progressed to chronic but we're only on day 8 though he's managing to eat and drink. Still have a long way to go and pray that he keeps fighting. Thanks for a very informative web site without which I would have been lost Name: Jane CommentHello, Sue, sadly grass sickness seems to be occurring more and more here in the West country; I pray your horse will be O.K. and will be thinking of you. Name: sue isaacs Commenthorse at present diagnosed wit sub acute grass sickness Name: jenny nolan Commentmy horse lakota has gs for about 5 days ,we believe chronic ,is eating but not much .thank you for the information on the website . Name: Susan Bridges CommentMy horse Bobby has chronic GS he is on his 16th day everyday is a living nightmare, there are so many things i don't understand about this terrible disease, he is eating grass and nibbling bran mash, he has just started breathing very heavy and scabs are coming down his nose, i am trying everything to get him eating it is so hard,he is still walking about and seems alert at times, i am finding it so hard to cope as i hate to see such a lovely friend suffer,i love him so much he was always full of life nobody liked riding him because he was so mad but i loved him jumping off all fours and enjoying life so much, seeing him like this is tragic people say to me pull yourself together stay strong, but i go to bed with GS dream about it and wake up it,i have thought about getting the vet to end it all but i know i will have it in the back of my mind he may have pulled though, i get so frustrated when he just turns his nose up at different foods i say to him eat or else you will die then i feel so guilty,i would love to hear from other people going though this i need all the support i can get,he is my best friend we have to get though this thanks for reading this message Susan Name: denise Commenti lost my welsh section d on Tuesday 11 may 2004 with grass sickness can anyone tell me if they had more than one horse if any of the others came down with it Name: Molly CommentHi Rosie- I cannot thank you enough for replying to my message. It is so nice to be able to hear other peoples stories and help, - that you are not alone. I am so sorry to hear about your Pony, Doll. I know exactly how you must be feeling right now. For weeks now, I have been going over and over in my mind . . . was there anything I could have done, that I did, to make him Ill, or to have prevented it? Its a question that does not have an answer, and to be honest, there is nothing any owner can do other than take a vets advice and be there for their beloved friend. Rosie, you clearly did absolutely everything possible for Doll in your power, you must not beat yourself up about it. Be rest assured, that she is now much happier and out of her suffering. I too, wish for the day when a cure will be found so that more innocent horses do not die, but at the same time, it will be another whole in my heart exposed, that it was just too late to save Smokey and you pony, Doll and millions of others like them. Even though it was over 2 months ago since he died, I still feel so sad. I count the weeks- its 10 weeks to be precise since the dreadful day and I just hope I will get over it soon. That's why I owe you a HUGE thank you for taking the time to write a message- it really helps me, to hear from others and I hope it helps you too. I totally agree with you that this website is great, and just like you, I've trawled the pages over and over again, knowing them by heart. Its kind of like an escape zone for me now, to hear from, and help, other people. Doll and Smokey sound so alike . . . never complaining and helping so many others. I really, really hope that they make a vaccine soon, and all the best in getting over your loss - you have to remember all the great times you shared, the best memories. I hope we can keep in touch, I enclose my email address if you want to contact me. It really is great to hear from someone. Good luck, and thank you. Molly. Name: Sue CommentI would like to here from other people that have lost a horse to grass sickness. I would also like to make a donation to help with the research of grass sickness. Is there any risk to other horses grazing on the same field. Name: Rosie CommentMolly, you summed up exactly how i feel right now too, just a big empty hole where Doll should be. She was a pony just like Smokey, did a lot for a lot of people, taught many people to ride, gave nervous riders confidence, especially in jumping, she acted perfectly around the children from a local school for children with physical disabilities, taking them for rides and drives, letting the wheelchairs go right under her tummy so they could try and groom her side, the only place they could reach. She even followed one child round the garden of her own accord when her lead rope was placed in his lap! She has looked after other horses, young and old, looked after so many people, and given me so much joy and kept me going when times were tough. She never let me down.I just wish there was something more I could've done, so that I didn't let her down either. As for this website, I think i know the advice pages off by heart i have read them so many times looking for a clue that i might have missed that might have helped her get better. These gave me hope at the start when the vet first suspected GS and gave her a poor prognosis. She was doing so well until 2 weeks ago when she had a relapse. She never complained either, just accepted everything we did, even being injected by me and my mum for 2 weeks solid every day at the beginning when we though it was just an infection! Maybe if she hadn't been so brave and complained more, we would have picked it up earlier, I knew she wasn't right just didn't know what to do. I hope that the new developments connecting bacteria to GS are turned into a vaccine sooner rather than later, so that no others have to suffer what our precious and beautiful creatures have. Name: yvonne eaglesham Commentmy boy has all signs except weight loss,your info has given well documented helped me my dales been suffering too much Name: margaret cooper CommentI lost my beautiful clydesdale/tb on july 18th 2003,to grass sickness, I visit the website regularly for research news into this dreadful disease, I now have a lovely new 'boy' kept on the same premises.I will always have deep gratitude to the staff of the grass sickness unit at The 'Dick' hospital who tried so hard but lost my beautiful horse Tylo Name: Suzanne Heron CommentI found your site very useful in helping with my studies. Name: Tricia Bishop CommentWe lost our lovely hors Tess with grass-sickness on wed 11th feb. 2004. On sun.8th Feb she was ridden in the morning, she was fit and healthy, full of fun, by tea-time we thought she had colic and called the vet. To cut along and stressful story short by wed the 11th Tess was in the Equine clinic at our vets and they were certain she had grass-sickness. On humane grounds she was put down in the afternoon, she had suffered enough. After 14 years with this lovely horse, she had given us so much pleasure and fun it was a sad way for her to go and we miss her dearly. I hope we did all we could for her and that a cure can be found for this shocking desease. Name: collette whyman Commentwe have just lost our wonderful little pony, lady china, to acute grass sickness. she was happy when i turned her out in the morning but looked out to see her at 2pm and she was suffering with what i thought was colic. how wrong i was, by 8pm we had to have her put to sleep. we cannot quite believe what has happened...now we do not know what to do for the best with our other pony, do we carry on grazing him? we have a six acre paddock of which we had taped off just a small section. we are so confused as to what to do for the best, any advice would be gratefully received. Name: Molly CommentNever before has any of our horses ever been struck down with Grass Sickness until less than a month ago. 7th January 2004 . . . probably the worst day ever of my life, what a great start to the new year. Smokey, my beloved pony who had done so much for me and was now enjoying his retirement contracted it, and being in such a state was put down that evening. All in 3 hours . . . he was gone. Grass Sickness is a mystery, and now I have a massive whole in my heart that feels as if it will never ever be refilled. I can't understand how a pony who had not travelled for a number of years, who had been happy and healthy and just be walking from his field to his stable each day could suddenly be struck down. Fine in the morning but my night showing all the serious symptoms of grass sickness. I now worry daily about our other 4 horses contracting this dreadful illness. . . even though we have left this field vacant since the day he was in it just in case there is any traces. If anyone can help me to get through this, please leave a message. . . it is great to hear of other peoples experiences. Smokey did a lot for a lot of people before he died, and before I even got him. I great jumper, team worker and games pony, he went to Wembley and other places, and help many people to ride, gaining my confidence back with riding to allow me to jump well and join the senior games team later of a pony club. Many people knew Smokey, or Top Gun as his show name was. He did so much and did not deserve to die in this dreadful way. I came to this website, and feel it has already greatly helped me. I have helped the Fund by filling in a case form- please, if you have had a case of grass sickness please fill in the form online or print it out and send it, every little bit of information will help. If you can, please send a donation so we can get the better of this horrible illness. If anyone would like to leave a message here, please do. At only 17 I am finding it extremely difficult to get over his death, and as I said earlier the risk of other horses I love getting the disease. Can you offer advice? I thank you for reading about my story- at least I know Smokey is at peace now and happy wherever he is, free from suffering. To everyone else- good luck with any grass sickness cases you have. You can get through it. Name: Jane CommentHello, Jan, I could identify so much with your message I felt I had to reply to express my sympathy. EGS seems to be on the increase in Somerset. I lost my 11-year-old in April 2002; he was my soulmate; I now have a youngster from a rescue centre but I worry about EGS a lot, especially in Spring. I too ask WHY does it happen and beat myself up as to possible causes I should have picked up on. Whatever you decide to do, all the best. Name: jan hambling CommentHello out there, sometimes i Feel so alone! I miss my friend so much, feel so cheated, we should have been togeather for so more many years,why? Out of the blue, we had been broken into, horsebox stolen 3 weeks before, he changed!Did this contribute ? Stress? or did I not notice the small amount of clover growing on my field (should have been a dream come true, my beautiful arab,on my own land and stables at last....... only 22 years young.... so full of life, gone in 24hrs, with me only for 3 years. Friends tell me to try again, my vet does, but can I trust again ? So much to give, so little faith or trust.... WHY.. Thank you 4 all your support grsssickness fund, Daniel Bedingfield for writting 'ASIA' It says it all, and to my husband for understanding and being there.... my children for missing Ibn Amasha. Name: Allison CommentLove the site. After my horse got put down with acute EGS last year, it was good to know I wasn't alone. |