Why a Horse Slobbers After Eating Clover, and What to Do
What Is Slobbers and What Causes It?
You bring your horse in from the pasture and are alarmed to see saliva pouring out of her mouth. Standing in the cross ties while you groom her, she drools a puddle on the floor.
What in the world is wrong? Does this warrant a vet call? Is this a dangerous situation or just a messy one? Why is one horse slobbering and another is not? And why is your horse slobbering this particular year after years of grazing in the same pasture?
Slobbering (Drooling) May Be Caused by a Fungus Found on Clover
What your horse is likely suffering from is "clover slobbers."
Which types of clover or plants cause horses to drool?
Red clover seems to be the most likely species to cause this condition, but all clovers and legumes can host the fungus that causes slobbers. It is not actually the plant itself causing this problem, but a fungus that grows on the plant or hay made from red clover. The fungus Rhizoctonia leguminicola produces a mycotoxin called slaframine.
The fungus flourishes in cool, wet, and humid conditions. It appears in late spring and early summer and even in fall months as tiny black specks on the clover plants. It is so small that it is difficult to see with the naked eye.
Some horses apparently really love clover, while others can take it or leave it, which explains why some horses are affected, and others are not. Some horses may be more susceptible than others to the mycotoxins.
What else might cause a horse to slobber?
That being said, mechanical or chemical reactions to plants can also cause salivation. Irritation from the hairy stems of clover can cause this gross reaction, and plants other than clover, including burdock and foxtail, can also cause slobbers. One common plant that can cause chemical irritation is buttercups. The best defense from these weeds is to keep your pastures mowed regularly.
Hay made from the clover can also cause salivation if it contains the fungus. The most immediate danger from clover slobbers is dehydration since the horse is losing fluids from the salivation.
How to Treat a Slobbering Horse
- The first thing to do to "cure" slobbers is to take the horse out of the pasture. The slobbering will cease within 24 hours.
- Be sure the horse drinks plenty of water.
- If you notice any symptoms other than the slobbering, or the slobbering does not subside within two days, call your vet. He may prescribe an antihistamine.
- Mowing the pasture and removing the infected plants can alleviate the problem.
Is Clover Slobber Dangerous?
While clover slobbers is not life-threatening, severe problems can arise if the horse is exposed to the infected clover for a long period of time, including colic and founder.
