Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) would like to remind breeders and owners to be vigilant for sycamore poisoning (atypical myopathy) this autumn/winter period. There is a fatality rate of 75% 90% with sycamore poisoning, early veterinary intervention is important for survival rates. The onset of the toxin induced disease, which impacts muscle metabolism, can rapidly become fatal.During the autumn/winter, these helicopter seeds fall from the trees and can be carried by the wind over considerable distances.Contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns that your horse may have ingested seeds and displays the following symptoms: Stiffness Reluctance to move Depression Muscle tremors Sweating Weakness Lethargy Difficulty/laboured breathing Reluctance to work Red or brown urine Choke Colic Low head carriage Fast or irregular heartbeat CollapseHSI recommend the following to reduce the risk of poisoning:Regularly check for fallen seedsFence off areas where sycamore seeds are likely/typically fallTurn horses out for short periods each dayKeep younger horses furthest away fromsycamore treesProvide extra forage (hay/haylage) especially where grass coverage is poorReducing stocking density to facilitate good grazing for each horseEnsure horses have access to fresh drinking water and arent drinking from streams/ponds/troughs under treesThe post Warning regarding Sycamore Poisoning (atypical myopathy) this autumn/winter period appeared first on .