Why Is Your Horse Drooling?

Depending on the season, you may catch your horse drooling. They will have excess amounts of saliva spill out from their mouth. It's usually found in grazing animals that have access to white and red clover. Take a deeper look!

White and red clover, both perennial plants, are often located in overgrazed pastures. In particular, white clover can handle intense grazing. The Rhizoctonia fungus grows on the plant leaves. A toxin called slaframine is produced from this fungus. This toxin is known for stimulating the salivary glands of your horse, which causes them to slobber in large quantities.

Can the fungus hurt your horse?

In general, you don't have to worry about the fungus or your horse drooling. Each horse will react differently, as some are more sensitive than others. To ensure it's the clover, remove the horse from the pasture for a few days to see if the condition ceases.

How to fix drooling?

If you want to eliminate slobbering, then you'll have to reduce the clover plants in your pastures. This can include fertilizing, rotating, and resting your horse fields. Good management is essential! A broadleaf herbicle, intended for pasture use, can eliminate existing clover.

Other issues, such as a dental abscess, foreign object in the mouth, or lesions on the tongue, can also cause slobbering. Discuss your horse's symptoms with your vet if you're concerned about the amount of drool they're producing.

Check out 6 Tips To Boost Pasture Productivity for advice on proper field management.