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December 16, 2014

16/12/2014: Fourth horse dies at Florida farm amid suspected feed contamination


Another horse has died in a feed contamination tragedy thought to be responsible for wiping out the equine population at a farm in Florida, USA, the Sun Sentinel reports.

On Monday morning, an 8-year-old quarter horse named Foxy was euthanized by injection after her owners decided her suffering was too great.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-horses-dying-davie-20141215-story.html


She was the fourth horse to die since October at Masterpiece Equestrian Center, a Davie boarding farm and riding school. The suspected reason: tainted feed. More horses are expected to be euthanised as early as this week.

"She was the sweetest little pony, everyone loved her," said Debra Buis, a private boarder who owns two of the horses at the center.

The Lakeland company that sold the feed has since recalled the product, stopped production and acknowledged that the feed contained an ingredient harmful to horses.

"We are committed to working with the Masterpiece Equestrian family to bring restoration in the midst of their tragic losses," said Jonathan Lang, general manager of Lakeland Animal Nutrition.

"Although we can never replace their horses or take away the pain of this tragedy, we are working with their representatives to expedite a resolution.”

Buis said three horses at the farm developed sudden paralysis and collapsed in October. All three died within a week.

Days later, testing of the feed, conducted at the horse owners' request, came back positive for monensin, a powerful medication used in poultry and cattle feeds. Monensin is too strong for horses, and there is no antidote.

The rest of the horses became terribly ill. Owners were told by veterinarians to provide "comfort care.”

But officials at the farm said it's been horrible watching the animals deteriorate.
Over the weekend, Foxy, the quarter horse used by children in walk-trot and jumping shows, bit someone — behavior not typical of the normally gentle animal. 




Read more HERE.
 



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