Slaframine (Rhizoctonia leguminicola) intoxication in horses
Sockett, D.C.; Baker, J.C.; Stowe, C.M.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 181(6): 606
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 7141956 Document Number: 196625
At the end of a wet, humid summer in Minnesota, there were frequent reports of excessive salivation with increased water consumption among horses at pasture. Investigation of one outbreak revealed numerous bronze to black spots or concentric rings on red clover, lucerne and some other plants. Rhizoctonia leguminicola was isolated from these plants. This fungus produces an alkaloid (slaframine), a metabolic product of which is a parasympathomimetic agent. When affected horses were removed from pasture and fed hay, they recovered in 3-4 days.