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 Jr. Detective
    
Location: Beggs, OK | There have been two horses in NE Oklahoma in the past week become very ill and are coincidentally on the same Nutrena feed, one did not survive. The feed was bought from different stores and the horses were owned by two different people. Please keep an eye on your horses. These horses were colicing and had diarrhea. If you have any concerns that your feed might be the cause of your horse's illness please contact me any time and I will help you through the process to get it reported.
The worst thing you can do is just switch feed or take the feed back to the store. If the feed is not tested and reported then other horses get sick and can possibly die.
Do not depend on feed companies to give you a full story. Nutrena has been specifically omissive with their information when I have asked them direct questions. The FDA does not have set action levels for cattle medications in horse feed so you won't see a recall unless it's voluntary or if there are a number of horses dying and people put their heads together and figure out it's the feed.
Edited by rachellyn80 2015-11-10 1:31 PM
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | so glad I don't feed Nutrena any more. | |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13502
Location: OH. IO | Thank you again for being so informative to us!!!!! Your dedication to this subject really means alot to me and others!!!! | |
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 Underestimated Underdog
Posts: 3971
Location: Minnesota | TwistedK - 2015-11-10 8:34 AM
so glad I don't feed Nutrena any more.
I second that! | |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | jake16 - 2015-11-10 8:36 AM Thank you again for being so informative to us!!!!! Your dedication to this subject really means alot to me and others!!!!
I agree Jake! Pretty sure rachellyn80 saved multiple horses by getting people informed. I know I started investigation everything I fed because of her!! So thank you rachellyn80!
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | TwistedK - 2015-11-10 6:34 AM so glad I don't feed Nutrena any more.
AGREED! | |
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Worlds Greatest Laugh
Location: North Dakota | Can I ask how they know that it was "bad" nutrena feed that caused this? For instance, I was just reading an article on The Horse website and it warned about the harmful things that can be contained within a horse's forage. Certain weeds can cause these exact symptoms. Did they have the bags tested? Just wondering how they knew it was the bag of nutrena. | |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Runnincat - 2015-11-10 8:31 AM Can I ask how they know that it was "bad" nutrena feed that caused this? For instance, I was just reading an article on The Horse website and it warned about the harmful things that can be contained within a horse's forage. Certain weeds can cause these exact symptoms. Did they have the bags tested? Just wondering how they knew it was the bag of nutrena.
I'd like to know this as well...I've fed Nutrena for quite a while and haven't had an issue yet,(knock on wood). I'd also like to know, if it was the feed, what was wrong with it that made the horses sick (mold, contaminents, salmonella, etc.). Thanks much! | |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | mtcanchazer - 2015-11-10 9:35 AM
Runnincat - 2015-11-10 8:31 AM Can I ask how they know that it was "bad" nutrena feed that caused this? For instance, I was just reading an article on The Horse website and it warned about the harmful things that can be contained within a horse's forage. Certain weeds can cause these exact symptoms. Did they have the bags tested? Just wondering how they knew it was the bag of nutrena.
I'd like to know this as well...I've fed Nutrena for quite a while and haven't had an issue yet,(knock on wood). I'd also like to know, if it was the feed, what was wrong with it that made the horses sick (mold, contaminents, salmonella, etc.). Thanks much!Â
Many Nutrena mills are still making the feed in the same mills as the medicated cattle feed. To me, it was not worth any potential risk of getting that 1/100 chance I'd get a bad bag. My horses mean more to me than taking a chance. I had fed Nutrena for 10 years. | |
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | The feed is supposed to be tested, but the horses had almost identical symptoms.
I never thought that I had a feed issue either. We really thought that it was the typical ulcers, sensitive stomach, EPM, bellyache, gas colic kind of stuff. It wouldn't affect all of them at one time, it would get one at a time, so you'd think that the stress of hauling or competition was causing a flare up.
I read every single day about someone on here asking for magic supplements, ulcer treatments, ulcer preventatives, and a laundry list of other issues that can be FIXED nutritionally. Supplements will not fix your feeding program, they are a bandaid to a larger issue and you will continue to pay excess vet bills and move on to buy other supplements that you heard will work better............only to find that your horses still don't look, feel, or perform how you want them to. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| Agreed, I went to a NUTRENA sponsored barrel race this past weekend and asked a lot of questions they were not willing to answer. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1150
Location: LaCygne, KS | Were both horses on alfalfa? These symptons sound similar to blister beetle problems.
Edited by Prehistoric 2015-11-10 9:13 PM
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Worlds Greatest Laugh
Location: North Dakota | rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 10:00 AM The feed is supposed to be tested, but the horses had almost identical symptoms.
I never thought that I had a feed issue either. We really thought that it was the typical ulcers, sensitive stomach, EPM, bellyache, gas colic kind of stuff. It wouldn't affect all of them at one time, it would get one at a time, so you'd think that the stress of hauling or competition was causing a flare up.
I read every single day about someone on here asking for magic supplements, ulcer treatments, ulcer preventatives, and a laundry list of other issues that can be FIXED nutritionally. Supplements will not fix your feeding program, they are a bandaid to a larger issue and you will continue to pay excess vet bills and move on to buy other supplements that you heard will work better............only to find that your horses still don't look, feel, or perform how you want them to.
I agree that supplements will not fix your feed program. Forage is/should be over 90% of a horse's consumption. Nutrena or any other bagged feed is what I call "bucket feed" or what I would hang in a bucket for a snack.
It is my understanding, however, that you do not have conformation on the fact that the bag of nutrena feed caused the death. These deaths could have possibly been caused by something else.
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Runnincat - 2015-11-10 12:36 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 10:00 AM The feed is supposed to be tested, but the horses had almost identical symptoms.
I never thought that I had a feed issue either. We really thought that it was the typical ulcers, sensitive stomach, EPM, bellyache, gas colic kind of stuff. It wouldn't affect all of them at one time, it would get one at a time, so you'd think that the stress of hauling or competition was causing a flare up.
I read every single day about someone on here asking for magic supplements, ulcer treatments, ulcer preventatives, and a laundry list of other issues that can be FIXED nutritionally. Supplements will not fix your feeding program, they are a bandaid to a larger issue and you will continue to pay excess vet bills and move on to buy other supplements that you heard will work better............only to find that your horses still don't look, feel, or perform how you want them to. I agree that supplements will not fix your feed program. Forage is/should be over 90% of a horse's consumption. Nutrena or any other bagged feed is what I call "bucket feed" or what I would hang in a bucket for a snack.
It is my understanding, however, that you do not have conformation on the fact that the bag of nutrena feed caused the death. These deaths could have possibly been caused by something else.
Yes, many things "could have" caused this...but, given the timing, symptoms, and what we know about this company why would you really question it. Now that these issues have been brought to light many horse owners are looking more closely at their feed. While I wish more would follow through with testing suspected feed, they are at least making a change away from feeds that are produced in medicated mills.
How many times have you heard of recurring colics? I know plenty of people who have had horses that were admitted to a veterinary hospital and seemed to have recovered only to come home and have another episode.... | |
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Worlds Greatest Laugh
Location: North Dakota | rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 12:48 PM Runnincat - 2015-11-10 12:36 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 10:00 AM The feed is supposed to be tested, but the horses had almost identical symptoms.
I never thought that I had a feed issue either. We really thought that it was the typical ulcers, sensitive stomach, EPM, bellyache, gas colic kind of stuff. It wouldn't affect all of them at one time, it would get one at a time, so you'd think that the stress of hauling or competition was causing a flare up.
I read every single day about someone on here asking for magic supplements, ulcer treatments, ulcer preventatives, and a laundry list of other issues that can be FIXED nutritionally. Supplements will not fix your feeding program, they are a bandaid to a larger issue and you will continue to pay excess vet bills and move on to buy other supplements that you heard will work better............only to find that your horses still don't look, feel, or perform how you want them to. I agree that supplements will not fix your feed program. Forage is/should be over 90% of a horse's consumption. Nutrena or any other bagged feed is what I call "bucket feed" or what I would hang in a bucket for a snack.
It is my understanding, however, that you do not have conformation on the fact that the bag of nutrena feed caused the death. These deaths could have possibly been caused by something else.
How many times have you heard of recurring colics? I know plenty of people who have had horses that were admitted to a veterinary hospital and seemed to have recovered only to come home and have another episode....
Yes, many things "could have" caused this...but, given the timing, symptoms, and what we know about this company why would you really question it.
I would want to question it for a couple of very serious reasons:
If I had a horse die on my property from what appeared to be colic/diarrhea issues I would definitely want to know the cause and not make any assumptions. For instance, it might be something in the forage and I would want to replace those bales and make sure they were not fed to any other innocent animal. This could lead me to addressing further purchases from the supplier, etc. If we put the hay up ourselves, it would help me address any field issues or concerns that would cause a possible poison situation.
If it were a disease situation, it would enable me to provide better management practices and techniques to not endanger the other members of my herd.
If it were a Nutrena feed problem, I would want to get the lot number off the bag and the date of manufacture so that the company could effectively notice/recall feed. Although I'm not sure they could/would do that.
I'm not defending Nutrena feed by any means. I'm just asking if it was conclusive that it was a bad bag of feed and I believe that the answer is "the feed hasnt been tested. | |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Runnincat - 2015-11-10 1:11 PM
rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 12:48 PM Runnincat - 2015-11-10 12:36 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 10:00 AM The feed is supposed to be tested, but the horses had almost identical symptoms. Â
I never thought that I had a feed issue either. Â We really thought that it was the typical ulcers, sensitive stomach, EPM, bellyache, gas colic kind of stuff. Â It wouldn't affect all of them at one time, it would get one at a time, so you'd think that the stress of hauling or competition was causing a flare up.
I read every single day about someone on here asking for magic supplements, ulcer treatments, ulcer preventatives, and a laundry list of other issues that can be FIXED nutritionally.  Supplements will not fix your feeding program, they are a bandaid to a larger issue and you will continue to pay excess vet bills and move on to buy other supplements that you heard will work better............only to find that your horses still don't look, feel, or perform how you want them to.   I agree that supplements will not fix your feed program.  Forage is/should be over 90% of a horse's consumption. Nutrena or any other bagged feed is what I call "bucket feed" or what I would hang in a bucket for a snack.Â
It is my understanding, however, that you do not have conformation on the fact that the bag of nutrena feed caused the death. These deaths could have possibly been caused by something else.
Â
How many times have you heard of recurring colics?  I know plenty of people who have had horses that were admitted to a veterinary hospital and seemed to have recovered only to come home and have another episode....I would want to question it for a couple of very serious reasons: If I had a horse die on my property from what appeared to be colic/diarrhea issues I would definitely want to know the cause and not make any assumptions. For instance, it might be something in the forage and I would want to replace those bales and make sure they were not fed to any other innocent animal. This could lead me to addressing further purchases from the supplier, etc. If we put the hay up ourselves, it would help me address any field issues or concerns that would cause a possible poison situation. If it were a disease situation, it would enable me to provide better management practices and techniques to not endanger the other members of my herd. If it were a Nutrena feed problem, I would want to get the lot number off the bag and the date of manufacture so that the company could effectively notice/recall feed. Although I'm not sure they could/would do that. I'm not defending Nutrena feed by any means. I'm just asking if it was conclusive that it was a bad bag of feed and I believe that the answer is "the feed hasnt been tested.
If the feed company is known to produce feed in mills that are not safe, why would you support them and take a chance of feeding it? Would you put your family at risk of unsafe food just because you haven't personally been affected? There are plenty of feed companies out there that are safe and that is who I will support. | |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Years ago I used to feed Nutrena, and it seemed OK at first, then I went for a stretch where I opened up bags and found obvious mold. At first I just returned the bag and got another, but after a few times, and different stores I stopped. Molds (aflatoxins) can be deadly. I stopped buying Nutrena. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1694
Location: Willows, CA | This is the gift that keeps on giving from changes in the feed industry in general. As someone who has been in that business for a long time, I can tell you that things have changed in the last fifteen years or so. Least cost formulation is much more common now, as is the practice of making horse products and medicated cattle products at the same plant. In the past, most premium horse feeds were made only on non-medicated production lines, and were fixed formulated. If your feed has a sewn on tag that lists the ingredients it is most likely "least cost formulated" and different every time you buy it. If it is fixed formulated, the ingredients will be printed on the bag, not on a tag. A fixed formulated product is made the same every time. Variations in ingredients used and the quality of those ingredients used to be found only in low end, low priced feeds. this is just not the case anymore. Whether or not you have an opinion about GMO ingredients, that is another change that was not present years ago. I firmly believe that a forage based diet with supplementation held to an amount that fits the horses digestive system better, results in better health, less risk, and a better overall result. | |
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Worlds Greatest Laugh
Location: North Dakota | TwistedK - 2015-11-10 1:12 PM Runnincat - 2015-11-10 1:11 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 12:48 PM Runnincat - 2015-11-10 12:36 PM rachellyn80 - 2015-11-10 10:00 AM The feed is supposed to be tested, but the horses had almost identical symptoms.
I never thought that I had a feed issue either. We really thought that it was the typical ulcers, sensitive stomach, EPM, bellyache, gas colic kind of stuff. It wouldn't affect all of them at one time, it would get one at a time, so you'd think that the stress of hauling or competition was causing a flare up.
I read every single day about someone on here asking for magic supplements, ulcer treatments, ulcer preventatives, and a laundry list of other issues that can be FIXED nutritionally. Supplements will not fix your feeding program, they are a bandaid to a larger issue and you will continue to pay excess vet bills and move on to buy other supplements that you heard will work better............only to find that your horses still don't look, feel, or perform how you want them to. I agree that supplements will not fix your feed program. Forage is/should be over 90% of a horse's consumption. Nutrena or any other bagged feed is what I call "bucket feed" or what I would hang in a bucket for a snack.
It is my understanding, however, that you do not have conformation on the fact that the bag of nutrena feed caused the death. These deaths could have possibly been caused by something else.
How many times have you heard of recurring colics? I know plenty of people who have had horses that were admitted to a veterinary hospital and seemed to have recovered only to come home and have another episode....I would want to question it for a couple of very serious reasons: If I had a horse die on my property from what appeared to be colic/diarrhea issues I would definitely want to know the cause and not make any assumptions. For instance, it might be something in the forage and I would want to replace those bales and make sure they were not fed to any other innocent animal. This could lead me to addressing further purchases from the supplier, etc. If we put the hay up ourselves, it would help me address any field issues or concerns that would cause a possible poison situation. If it were a disease situation, it would enable me to provide better management practices and techniques to not endanger the other members of my herd. If it were a Nutrena feed problem, I would want to get the lot number off the bag and the date of manufacture so that the company could effectively notice/recall feed. Although I'm not sure they could/would do that. I'm not defending Nutrena feed by any means. I'm just asking if it was conclusive that it was a bad bag of feed and I believe that the answer is "the feed hasnt been tested. If the feed company is known to produce feed in mills that are not safe, why would you support them and take a chance of feeding it? Would you put your family at risk of unsafe food just because you haven't personally been affected? There are plenty of feed companies out there that are safe and that is who I will support.
I just wanted to know if the bag of Nutrena was tested. Thank you for answering my question.
Edited by Runnincat 2015-11-10 1:48 PM
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Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Rather than quote again I will say that I agree with the premise of what you are saying. No the feed test results have not come back yet... I can edit my original post if you would like to be more open minded that this is not "definitely" the feed, but the point of this post was more about raising awareness so that if someone happens to have a horse get sick and they are feeding Nutrena they'll possibly think back to seeing this post and know how to deal with it.
I would have LOVED to have had this much information available back in January of this year when I was dealing with a nightmare that will not seem to end. | |
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