The effects of Vomitoxin (DON) in horse rations

• Little research about the effect of DON on horses has been published. No research has been done on performance horses, stallions or pregnant mares.
• The published papers used non working horses and represent a large divergence of opinion as to the toxic levels including increased colics at levels in the ppb to no affect at 10 ppm of total feed intake.
• Horses can be exposed to vomitoxin from a number of sources including hay, straw, wheat bran and commercially prepared feeds containing corn and/or wheat by-products.
• Until more precise research is completed, the maximum tolerable level for DON in the total feed of 1 ppm is recommended for horses.
• Horse owners should be aware of the potential sources of vomitoxin including hay, straw bedding, wheat bran and commercially prepared rations. Highly contaminated sources should be eliminated especially when feeding pregnant mares.

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