Mycotoxin binders for horses are typically used when there is concern about mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi that can contaminate feed. These binders work by binding to the toxins in the digestive tract, preventing their absorption and helping to eliminate them from the horse’s system. Myco-fix a proven mycotoxin binder is used in Digest-easi + and Opti-Mize which uses innovative technology to deactivate the mycotoxins where they are no longer toxic. By rendering the mycotoxins nontoxic, the horse does not absorb the harmful effects.

Here are a few situations when mycotoxin binders may be used:

  1. Contaminated Feed: If you suspect that the horse’s feed or forage is contaminated with mycotoxins, mycotoxin binders can be used to reduce the potential harmful effects of these toxins. Common feed ingredients like grains, hay, or silage can sometimes harbour molds that produce mycotoxins.

  2. Clinical Symptoms of Mycotoxin Poisoning and treatment: Signs of mycotoxin exposure in horses can include poor coat condition, weight loss, digestive issues (like diarrhoea or colic), lethargy, or neurological symptoms (high degree of nervous behaviour). Commonly erratic behaviour and sudden spooking, or eyes on stalks! is what alerts most horse owners. This sudden change in behaviour usually coincides with a change in weather resulting in out of character behavioural issues. If these symptoms are suspected to be caused by toxins, a mycotoxin binder may be used to help mitigate the impact. Feeding hay alongside is helpful to reduce the consumption of grass.

  3. Symptoms of endophyte toxin poisoning and treatment: A symbiotic and clever relationship known as endophyte toxins are where the fungus lives inside the grass and triggers responding to the grass stress to survive, by poisoning the animal.  A large ingestion of endophyte toxins effects the nervous system where the horse may stagger about, looking drunk or “spaced out” usually noted by horse owners as lethargic and un co-ordinated. When this happens, immediate removal from pasture is required until the horse recovers.  Hay is given as forage in the interim. When the horse has recovered usually over 7 days, turn out should be a different paddock with longer pasture to mitigate the endophyte issue.

  4. High-Risk Environments: Horses that are in areas where mold growth is common, such as humid or damp conditions, may benefit from mycotoxin binders as a preventative measure, particularly if feed storage conditions are not optimal and weather conditions are changeable warm and wet.

  5. Feeding hay: When transitioning horses onto new feed or hay, mycotoxin binders might be used temporarily to help reduce the risk of toxin exposure from any potential unknown contaminants in the new feed. Some hay, and in particular where last season’s hay is fed it may be harbouring molds.

  6. Stressed pasture: Where grass is stressed and short and where the horse is eating close to ground level can pick up more mold toxins. A mycotoxin binder can be helpful to reduce exposure to absorbed mold toxins.

It is important to note that mycotoxin binders are a supportive treatment, not a cure. It’s best to consult with your local feed company or veterinarian to determine if mycotoxin binders are necessary and to rule out other potential causes of symptoms.

 Toxin binder for horses | Digest Easi  and  Opti-Mize | Grass affected Horses are both products that are effective for mycotoxin control and lessening the effects of mycotoxins in the horse. Both products use Myco-fix, a proven and registered mycotoxin here in New Zealand.