FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2020; 10(2); doi: 10.3390/ani10020365

Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Horse Feeding and Management Practices to Reduce the Risk of Atypical Myopathy.

Abstract: In 2014, atypical myopathy (AM) was linked to Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore maple) in Europe. The emergence of this seasonal intoxication caused by a native tree has raised many questions. This manuscript aims at answering the five most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding (1) identification of toxic trees; reduction of risk at the level of (2) pastures and (3) equids; (4) the risk associated with pastures with sycamores that have always been used without horses being poisoned and (5) the length of the risk periods. Answers were found in a literature review and data gathered by AM surveillance networks. A guide is offered to differentiate common maple trees (FAQ1). In order to reduce the risk of AM at pasture level: Avoid humid pastures; permanent pasturing; spreading of manure for pasture with sycamores in the vicinity and avoid sycamore maple trees around pasture (FAQ2). To reduce the risk of AM at horse level: Reduce pasturing time according to weather conditions and to less than six hours a day during risk periods for horses on risk pasture; provide supplementary feeds including toxin-free forage; water from the distribution network; vitamins and a salt block (FAQ3). All pastures with a sycamore tree in the vicinity are at risk (FAQ4). Ninety-four percent of cases occur over two 3-month periods, starting in October and in March, for cases resulting from seeds and seedlings ingestion, respectively (FAQ5).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-02-24 PubMed ID: 32102384PubMed Central: PMC7071031DOI: 10.3390/ani10020365Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the connection between sycamore maple trees and atypical myopathy (AM), a toxification causing harm to horses, and offers guidance in identifying and mitigating risks associated with exposure to these trees. It focuses on managing horse feeding and environment to reduce the risk of intoxication.

Introduction

The study aims to address five key questions commonly asked about AM caused by sycamore maple trees. Led by an analysis of current literature and data collected from AM surveillance networks, the document provides recommendations on identifying potentially toxic trees, minimizing horse exposure to the toxins at both the grassland, and individual horse level, assessing the level of risk posed by pastures, and how risk periods can be effectively evaluated.

Identification of Toxic Trees

  • The study provides a practical guide for distinguishing common maple trees from those that risk causing AM (FAQ 1).

Reducing Risk in Pastures

  • Suggestions for mitigating the risk to horses cultivated at the pasture level include tactics such as avoiding wet pastures, preventing the spreading of manure on pastures that have sycamore maples nearby, and steering clear of having sycamore maple trees around pastures (FAQ 2).

Reducing Risk for Equids

  • The study also proposes recommendations for lowering the risk at the level of individual horses. Proposed tactics include reducing pasture access time based on weather conditions, particularly during high-risk periods, offering supplementary food that does not contain toxins and water from distribution networks, and providing vitamins and a salt block (FAQ 3).

Risk Associated with Sycamore Pastures

  • According to the research, all pastures that contain a sycamore tree in their vicinity present a risk, even if horses have previously been on these pastures without any poisoning incidents (FAQ 4).

Understanding the Risk Periods

  • The study reveals that 94% of AM cases happen over two main 3-month periods, commencing in October and March, a pattern corresponding to the ingestion of seeds and seedlings respectively. This data significantly informs the appropriate timing and precautionary measures for those maintaining the welfare of horses on such pastures (FAQ 5).

Cite This Article

APA
Votion DM, François AC, Kruse C, Renaud B, Farinelle A, Bouquieaux MC, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Gustin P. (2020). Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Horse Feeding and Management Practices to Reduce the Risk of Atypical Myopathy. Animals (Basel), 10(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020365

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 2

Researcher Affiliations

Votion, Dominique-Marie
  • Equine Pole, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman), Belgium.
François, Anne-Christine
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman), Belgium.
Kruse, Caroline
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Sport Medicine, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman), Belgium.
Renaud, Benoit
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman), Belgium.
Farinelle, Arnaud
  • Fourrages Mieux asbl, 6900 Marloie, Belgium.
Bouquieaux, Marie-Catherine
  • Equine Pole, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman), Belgium.
Marcillaud-Pitel, Christel
  • Réseau d'Epidémio-Surveillance en Pathologie Équine (RESPE), 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
Gustin, Pascal
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH), University of Liège, 4000 Liège 1 (Sart Tilman), Belgium.

Grant Funding

  • Projet SAMA-D31-1381/S1 / Service Public de Wallonie
  • 2018-2020-002 / Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation
  • R.CRFA.2991 / Les Fonds Spéciaux pour la Recherche (FSR)

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 37 references
  1. Votion D.M., Van Galen G., Sweetman L., Boemer F., De Tullio P., Dopagne C., Lefère L., Mouithys-Mickalad A., Patarin F., Rouxhet S.. Identification of methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid in serum of European horses with atypical myopathy.. Equine Vet. J. 2014;46:146–149.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12117pubmed: 23773055google scholar: lookup
  2. Valberg S.J., Sponseller B.T., Hegeman A.D., Earing J., Bender J.B., Martinson K.L., Patterson S.E., Sweetman L.. Seasonal pasture myopathy/atypical myopathy in North America associated with ingestion of hypoglycin A within seeds of the box elder tree.. Equine Vet. J. 2013;45:419–426.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00684.xpubmed: 23167695google scholar: lookup
  3. Fowden L., Pratt H.M.. Cyclopropylamino acids of the genus Acer: Distribution and biosynthesis.. Phytochemistry 1973;12:1677–1681.
    doi: 10.1016/0031-9422(73)80387-5google scholar: lookup
  4. Bochnia M., Sander J., Ziegler J., Terhardt M., Sander S., Janzen N., Cavalleri J.M., Zuraw A., Wensch-Dorendorf M., Zeyner A.. Detection of MCPG metabolites in horses with atypical myopathy.. PLoS ONE 2019;14:e0211698.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211698pmc: PMC6363182pubmed: 30721263google scholar: lookup
  5. Von Holt C., Chang J., von Holt M., Böhm H.. Metabolism and metabolic effects of hypoglycin.. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1964;0:611–613.
    doi: 10.1016/0304-4165(64)90242-9pubmed: 14237871google scholar: lookup
  6. Melde K., Jackson S., Bartlett K., Stanley H., Sherratt H., Ghisla S.. Metabolic consequences of methylenecyclopropylglycine poisoning in rats.. Biochem. J. 1991;274:395–400.
    doi: 10.1042/bj2740395pmc: PMC1150150pubmed: 2006907google scholar: lookup
  7. Westermann C.M., de Sain-van der Velden M.G.M., van der Kolk J.H., Berger R., Wijnberg I.D., Koeman J.P., Wanders R.J.A., Lenstra J.A., Testerink N., Vaandrager A.B.. Equine biochemical multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) as a cause of rhabdomyolysis.. Mol. Genet. Metab. 2007;91:362–369.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2007.04.010pubmed: 17540595google scholar: lookup
  8. Palencia P., Rivero J.L.L.. Short Communications Atypical myopathy in two grazing horses in northern Spain.. Vet. Rec. 2007;161:346–348.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.161.10.346pubmed: 17827475google scholar: lookup
  9. Finno C.J., Valberg S.J., Wünschmann A., Murphy M.J.. Seasonal pasture myopathy in horses in the midwestern United States: 14 cases (1998–2005). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2006;229:1134–1141.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.229.7.1134pubmed: 17014363google scholar: lookup
  10. Votion D.M., Linden A., Saegerman C., Engels P., Erpicum M., Thiry E., Delguste C., Rouxhet S., Demoulin V., Navet R.. History and clinical features of atypical myopathy in horses in Belgium (2000–2005). J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2007;21:1380–1391.
    pubmed: 18196750
  11. Van Galen G., Marcillaud Pitel C., Saegerman C., Patarin F., Amory H., Baily J.D., Cassart D., Gerber V., Hahn C., Harris P.. European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing equids (2006–2009): Spatiotemporal distribution, history and clinical features.. Equine Vet. J. 2012;44:614–620.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00556.xpubmed: 22448904google scholar: lookup
  12. Gonzalez-Medina S., Ireland J.L., Piercy R.J., Newton J.R., Votion D.. Equine atypical myopathy in the UK: Epidemiological characteristics of cases reported from 2011 to 2015 and factors associated with survival.. Equine Vet. J. 2017;49:746–752.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12694pubmed: 28445006google scholar: lookup
  13. Brandt K., Brandtt K., Hinrrchs U., Schulze C., Landes E.. Atypische Myoglobinurie der Weidepferde.. Pferdeheilkunde 1997;13:27–34.
    doi: 10.21836/PEM19970104google scholar: lookup
  14. Dunkel B., Ryan A., Haggett E., Knowles E.J.. Atypical myopathy in the South-East of England: Clinicopathological data and outcome in hospitalised horses.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2018:1–6.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12895google scholar: lookup
  15. Van Galen G., Saegerman C., Marcillaud Pitel C., Patarin F., Amory H., Baily J.D., Cassart D., Gerber V., Hahn C., Harris P.. European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing horses (2006–2009): Determination of indicators for risk and prognostic factors.. Equine Vet. J. 2012;44:621–625.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00555.xpubmed: 22413891google scholar: lookup
  16. Bunert C., Langer S., Votion D.M., Boemer F., Muller A., Ternes K., Liesegang A.. Atypical myopathy in Pere David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) associated with ingestion of hypoglycin A.. J. Anim. Sci. 2018;96:3537–3547.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/sky200pmc: PMC6095259pubmed: 29762728google scholar: lookup
  17. Votion D.M., Linden A., Delguste C., Amory H., Thiry E., Engels P., Van Galen G., Navet R., Sluse F., Serteyn D.. Atypical myopathy in grazing horses: A first exploratory data analysis.. Vet. J. 2009;180:77–87.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.01.016pubmed: 18396430google scholar: lookup
  18. Westermann C.M., van Leeuwen R., van Raamsdonk L.W.D., Mol H.G.J.. Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Maple Tree Species in the Netherlands and the Occurrence of Atypical Myopathy in Horses.. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2016;30:880–884.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.13927pmc: PMC4913566pubmed: 26995161google scholar: lookup
  19. Renaud B., François A.-C., Dopagne C., Rouxhet S., Gustin P., Votion D.. Identification of the Maple Tree Responsible for Atypical Myopathy.. [(accessed on 12 December 2019)]; Available online: http://hdl.handle.net/2268/242221.
  20. Van Galen G., Dopagne C., Rouxhet S., Pitel C., Votion D.. Etiologie de la myopathie atypique: Conditions de toxicité de l’agent causal—Étude préliminaire. 40ème Journée de la Recherche Equine Institut français du cheval et de l’équitation (IFCE); Paris, France: 2014. pp. 101–109.
  21. . Search Results—The Plant List.. [(accessed on 12 December 2019)]; Available online: http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/search?q=Acer&_csv=on.
  22. Hulme P.E., Bacher S., Kenis M., Klotz S., Kühn I., Minchin D., Nentwig W., Olenin S., Panov V., Pergl J.. Grasping at the routes of biological invasions: A framework for integrating pathways into policy.. J. Appl. Ecol. 2008;45:403–441.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01442.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  23. Unger L., Nicholson A., Jewitt E.M., Gerber V., Hegeman A., Sweetman L., Valberg S.. Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Seeds of Acer Pseudoplatanus Trees Growing on Atypical Myopathy-Affected and Control Pastures.. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2014;28:1289–1293.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.12367pmc: PMC4857957pubmed: 24863395google scholar: lookup
  24. Baise E., Habyarimana J.A., Amory H., Boemer F., Douny C., Gustin P., Marcillaud-Pitel C., Patarin F., Weber M., Votion D.M.. Samaras and seedlings of Acer pseudoplatanus are potential sources of hypoglycin A intoxication in atypical myopathy without necessarily inducing clinical signs.. Equine Vet. J. 2016;48:414–417.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12499pubmed: 26278545google scholar: lookup
  25. Zuraw A., Dietert K., Kühnel S., Sander J., Klopfleisch R.. Equine atypical myopathy caused by hypoglycin A intoxication associated with ingestion of sycamore maple tree seeds.. Equine Vet. J. 2016;48:418–442.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12460pubmed: 25970235google scholar: lookup
  26. Votion D.M., Habyarimana J.A., Scippo M.L., Richard E.A., Marcillaud-Pitel C., Erpicum M., Gustin P.. Potential new sources of hypoglycin A poisoning for equids kept at pasture in spring: A field pilot study.. Vet. Rec. 2019;184:740.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.104424pubmed: 31048500google scholar: lookup
  27. Katul G.G., Porporato A., Nathan R., Siqueira M., Soons M.B., Poggi D., Horn H.S., Levin S.A.. Mechanistic analytical models for long-distance seed dispersal by wind.. Am. Nat. 2005;166:368–381.
    doi: 10.1086/432589pubmed: 16224691google scholar: lookup
  28. Votion D.. Atypical myopathy: An update.. Practice 2016;38:241–246.
    doi: 10.1136/inp.i1859google scholar: lookup
  29. Gonzalez-Medina S., Montesso F., Chang Y.-M., Hyde C., Piercy R.J.. Atypical myopathy-associated hypoglycin A toxin remains in Sycamore seedlings despite mowing, herbicidal spraying or storage in hay and silage.. Equine Vet. J. 2019;51:701–704.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13070pubmed: 30629759google scholar: lookup
  30. Renaud B., Francois A.C., Marcillaud-Pitel C., Gustin P., Votion D.. Myopathie atypique: Les différentes sources d’intoxication. Comment gérer le risque?. Journées Sciences et Innovations Équines Institut français du cheval et de l’équitation (Ifce); Saumur, France: 2019. p. 9.
  31. Cooper J.J., Mason G.J.. The identification of abnormal behaviour and behavioural problems in stabled horses and their relationship to horse welfare: A comparative review.. Equine Vet. J. Suppl. 1998;30:5–9.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05136.xpubmed: 10484995google scholar: lookup
  32. Cooper J.J., Albentosa M.J.. Behavioural adaptation in the domestic horse: Potential role of apparently abnormal responses including stereotypic behavior.. Livest. Prod. Sci. 2005;92:177–182.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livprodsci.2004.11.017google scholar: lookup
  33. Hosie B.D., Gould P.W., Hunter A.R., Low J.C., Munro R., Wilson H.C.. Acute myopathy in horses at grass in east and south east Scotland.. Vet. Rec. 1986;119:444–449.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.119.18.444pubmed: 3798693google scholar: lookup
  34. Harris P., Whitwell K.. Atypical myoglobinuria alert.. Vet. Rec. 1990;15:603.
    pubmed: 2075692
  35. Westermann C.M., Dorland L., Votion D.M., De Sain-van der Velden M.G.M., Wijnberg I.D., Wanders R.J.A., Spliet W.G.M., Testerink N., Berger R., Ruiter J.P.N.. Acquired multiple Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency in 10 horses with atypical myopathy.. Neuromuscul. Disord. 2008;18:355–364.
    doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2008.02.007pubmed: 18406615google scholar: lookup
  36. Rooney D.K.. Applied nutrition.. Equine Internal Medicine W.B. Saunders; Philadelphia, PA, USA: 2004. pp. 235–272.
  37. Gonzalez-Medina S., Hyde C., Lovera I., Piercy R.J.. Detection of equine atypical myopathy-associated hypoglycin A in plant material: Optimisation and validation of a novel LC-MS based method without derivatisation.. PLoS ONE 2018;13:13–15.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199521pmc: PMC6029767pubmed: 29969503google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. François AC, Taminiau B, Renaud B, Gonza-Quito IE, Massey C, Hyde C, Piercy RJ, Douny C, Scippo ML, Daube G, Gustin P, Delcenserie V, Votion DM. In Vitro Investigation of Equine Gut Microbiota Alterations During Hypoglycin A Exposure. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 19;15(22).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15223343pubmed: 41302050google scholar: lookup
  2. François AC, Cesarini C, Taminiau B, Renaud B, Kruse CJ, Boemer F, van Loon G, Palmers K, Daube G, Wouters CP, Lecoq L, Gustin P, Votion DM. Unravelling Faecal Microbiota Variations in Equine Atypical Myopathy: Correlation with Blood Markers and Contribution of Microbiome. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 26;15(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15030354pubmed: 39943124google scholar: lookup
  3. Kruse CJ, Dieu M, Renaud B, François AC, Stern D, Demazy C, Burteau S, Boemer F, Art T, Renard P, Votion DM. New Pathophysiological Insights from Serum Proteome Profiling in Equine Atypical Myopathy. ACS Omega 2024 Feb 13;9(6):6505-6526.
    doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06647pubmed: 38371826google scholar: lookup
  4. Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N, Renaud B, Kruse CJ, François AC, Wouters CP, Boemer F, Votion DM. Tissue Specific Distribution and Activation of Sapindaceae Toxins in Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 26;13(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13152410pubmed: 37570219google scholar: lookup
  5. Renaud B, Kruse CJ, François AC, Grund L, Bunert C, Brisson L, Boemer F, Gault G, Ghislain B, Petitjean T, Gustin P, Votion DM. Acer pseudoplatanus: A Potential Risk of Poisoning for Several Herbivore Species. Toxins (Basel) 2022 Jul 26;14(8).
    doi: 10.3390/toxins14080512pubmed: 35893754google scholar: lookup
  6. Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N. Severe Inhibition of Long-Chain Acyl-CoA Enoylhydratase (EC 4.2.1.74) in a Newborn Foal Suffering From Atypical Myopathy. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:765623.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.765623pubmed: 34765670google scholar: lookup
  7. Kruse CJ, Stern D, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Niesten A, Art T, Lemieux H, Votion DM. In Vitro Assays for the Assessment of Impaired Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Equine Atypical Myopathy. Life (Basel) 2021 Jul 20;11(7).
    doi: 10.3390/life11070719pubmed: 34357091google scholar: lookup
  8. Bochnia M, Ziegler J, Glatter M, Zeyner A. Hypoglycin A in Cow's Milk-A Pilot Study. Toxins (Basel) 2021 May 26;13(6).
    doi: 10.3390/toxins13060381pubmed: 34073628google scholar: lookup
  9. Wimmer-Scherr C, Taminiau B, Renaud B, van Loon G, Palmers K, Votion D, Amory H, Daube G, Cesarini C. Comparison of Fecal Microbiota of Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy and Healthy Co-Grazers. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 15;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020506pubmed: 33672034google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.