The Equine Grass Sickness Fund has announced the launch of a new weather-based risk alert system designed to help horse owners and yard managers anticipate outbreaks of Equine Grass Sickness (EGS).
The project, developed by Dr Hayley Coulson and jDATA (Pty) Ltd in collaboration with Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, was made possible through funding from the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust.
Research has shown that EGS cases are linked to specific weather patterns, particularly sudden temperature fluctuations and rainfall following dry periods. The new system integrates these findings with real-time forecasts, allowing users across the UK to monitor risk in their local area. Subscribers can also receive weekly or monthly WhatsApp alerts tailored to their chosen location, offering early warnings of higher-risk conditions.
Equine Grass Sickness is a frequently fatal disease affecting the nervous system of horses, thought to be associated with soil-borne toxins. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, weight loss, colic, and in severe cases, sudden death. With no definitive cure and limited treatment success, prevention remains vital.
By providing timely alerts, the new system aims to give owners and managers valuable information to adjust grazing and turnout, helping reduce the risk of exposure and protecting equine welfare.
The link to sign-up to the alert system can be found here: https://moredun.connectanimalhealth.com/apps/egssubscribe/
For more detailed information on the models used the EGS Fund invite you to visit their EGS dashboard at https://moredun.connectanimalhealth.com/apps/egsview/