The Department of Agriculture and Food is reminding pastoralists in the Kimberley to check for rattlepod plants that can cause ‘walkabout disease’ in horses.
Department veterinary officer Tom De Ridder said rattlepods (Crotalaria spp.) were sweet for horses to eat in the Kimberley at this time of year, and could prove lethal.
“Some rattlepods are known to contain alkaloids that cause liver damage,” Dr De Ridder said.
“These alkaloids are cumulative poisons, so toxins can build up in the animals’ systems over time.”
The disease caused by this liver damage is commonly known as ‘walkabout disease’ because the affected horses can appear blind and wander aimlessly. By the time an animal is showing signs of the disease, it may be too late to take action to save it.
“People with horses on pastoral leases should check their paddocks for these plants,” Dr De Ridder said.
Signs of the disease can include reduced food intake, jaundice, colic, abdominal swelling and nervous signs such as twitching and compulsive walking.
Dr De Ridder said removing rattlepod plants from the horse paddock might be the only option for preventing the disease.
Kununurra development officer Kath Ryan said common rattlepods believed to affect horses included Kimberley horse poison, New Holland rattlepod, wedgeleaf rattlepod and trefoil rattlepod.
“Paddock walks with DAFWA officers confident in rattlepod identification are possible by arrangement,” Ms Ryan said. “About 10 livestock owners in Kununurra have taken up this service in recent times.
“By now, most rattlepod plants have flowered and set seed already, so hand-pulling will be more effective than applying herbicides.”
Ms Ryan said plants of concern may be brought in or images emailed to DAFWA offices in Broome or Kununurra, to assist with identification. Advice on the short and long-term management of rattlepod plants and native pastures can also be arranged.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937