🐴 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Equine Slobbers (Slaframine Poisoning)

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

1. What Is “Slobbers”?

“Slobbers,” or slaframine poisoning, is a condition characterized by excessive drooling in horses. It results from ingestion of the toxin **slaframine**, produced by the fungus Rhizoctonia leguminicola, commonly found infecting clover and alfalfa during wet, humid seasons :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

2. Why It Matters

• 🔹 **Welfare & comfort**: Excessive drooling can irritate the muzzle and lips, leading to discomfort and risk of dehydration :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• 🔹 **Performance impact**: Slobbering may interfere with grazing, eating, and competing.
• 🔹 **Diagnostic clue**: Though often benign, it can mimic serious conditions like choke, rabies, or vesicular stomatitis, requiring medical evaluation :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

3. Causes & Risk Factors

Slaframine toxin is most commonly found in **red and white clover**, as well as **alfalfa**, particularly when infected with the fungus under wet conditions :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. The fungal disease causes distinctive “black patches” on affected plants :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

4. Clinical Signs to Watch

Symptoms usually appear **2–6 hours** after ingestion :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}:

• Copious drooling—drip from lips
• Constant tongue movement and excessive salivation
• Occasional signs: tearing, frequent urination, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, colic, stiff muscles in severe cases :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

Most recover rapidly when removed from contaminated forage—within **24–48 hours** :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

5. Diagnosing Slobbers

• History & clinical exam: Recent access to clover/alfalfa in wet seasons.
• Oral exam: Rule out choke, ulcers, foreign bodies.
• Feed inspection: Look for fungal black patches on plants :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Lab tests: Fungal culture or toxin analysis in hay if confirmation required :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Rule out other causes: Rabies, vesicular stomatitis, botulism, strangles—especially if systemic signs occur :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

6. Treatment & Management

6.1 Remove Source

Immediate removal from infected pasture or hay is the most effective treatment. Mow or reseed problematic clover stands :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

6.2 Supportive Care

• Ensure **fresh water** availability to prevent dehydration :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Offer soft or soaked feed if swallowing is difficult.
• Monitor for complications—choke, colic, bruising, skin irritation—contact your vet if these occur.

6.3 Medical Treatment

Most horses resolve without interventions. In rare or prolonged cases, **atropine** may reduce drooling; always use under veterinary guidance :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

7. Prevention Strategies

• Practice **pasture management**: reduce clover density, rotate grazing, mow before fungal establishment.
• Avoid wet pasture grazing during cool, moist seasons (spring/fall).
• Store hay properly and inspect for black-patched legumes.
• Quarantine new hay/pasture until safe.

8. Differential Diagnoses

• **Choke**: drooling, coughing, feed discharge; treat with nasogastric tube.
• **Rabies**: rare; consider if neurological signs present :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• **Vesicular stomatitis, strangles, botulism**: evaluate if other signs present :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• **Oral injury or dental disease**: inspect mouth carefully.

9. Case Study: “Daisy” Drools No More

Daisy, a 7-year-old mare, developed heavy drooling after introduction to fresh spring clover hay. Within hours, she was drooling excessively but had no fever or colic. The hay was replaced, water intake encouraged, and drooling ceased in 36 hours. No vet meds were needed, and subsequent pasture replanning prevented recurrence.

10. When to Call the Vet

Contact your vet immediately if:

• Fever, depression, or colic signs develop
• Drooling lasts beyond 48 hours after changing forage
• Signs of serious systemic disease or choking occur

11. Ask A Vet Support 🩺

At Ask A Vet, we support early detection of slobbers—helping with herbicide field protocols, pasture assessments, drooling management, and ruling out serious causes. Our telehealth consultants are available 24/7. Download the Ask A Vet app today for expert advice and pasture-check protocols! ❤️

12. Quick Reference Table

13. FAQs

❓ How long do slobbers last?

Usually 24–48 hours after removing toxin source; rarely longer.

❓ Can slobbers cause dehydration?

Yes—especially with copious drooling. Provide fresh water and monitor intake.

❓ Are certain horses more prone?

Any horse eating infected legumes in cool, wet climates is at risk—no breed predisposition.

14. Final Thoughts

Slobbers may look dramatic, but with prompt pasture change and supportive care, most horses recover quickly. However, drooling may be mistaken for more serious conditions—timely veterinary advice ensures safety. Partner with Ask A Vet to stay ahead of pasture risks, confirm diagnoses, and manage your horse's well-being in 2025. Download the app today!