Bait poison put out in barns for rodent control is most likely to attract dogs, but horses have been known to eat it when given the chance. "We've had calls [at the animal poison control center] about horses who had eaten rat poison," Richardson says. Although it's unlikely for an animal as large as a horse to consume a lethal dose, Richardson says that some of them did ingest enough to become seriously ill.
Remember, too, that products safe for one species in your barn might be dangerous for another. "Many horse dewormers might be toxic to dogs," Richardson says. "If your horse spits out the dewormer, and your Jack Russell terrier jumps in and swallows it, the dog could be getting 240 times the recommended canine dose of the drug from just one milliliter of the equine drug." Also, some fly and/or flea control products may be safe for dogs and horses but lethal to cats.
Solution: Using these products safely usually means simply being aware of potential ill effects and taking appropriate steps to minimize risks. Follow label instructions. The EPA has detailed guidelines for the use, storage and disposal of a wide range of dangerous chemicals included in many common manufactured goods. All products containing these substances are required to have labels with detailed instructions on how to handle them. If you need to clean up spills, treat accidental ingestion or dispose of empty containers or unused product, you'll find the how-to specifics on the label. You may also find phone numbers for further information.
Use products carefully. Follow dosage directions, and take steps to prevent unintended exposures. Place bait poisons where you're sure no dog, cat or bored horse can reach them. Also, avoid using spray-on insecticides or herbicides where their residues can get into animals' food or wash into ponds and streams.
Store them safely. Keep all poisonous substances in their original containers with the labels intact; if you must transfer something into a different container, never use one that originally held food. Ideally, poisonous substances would always be kept in a locked cabinet, but at least they need to be kept in a place where children and animals can't reach them. Also, choose a storage site where leaks or spills cannot contaminate feed or water.
Recognizing the potential risks in commonplace horse-care products is step one in running a safer stable. Step two is putting practices in place that reduce opportunities for accidents to as near to zero as is humanly possible. "People are not always careful," says Richardson, and sometimes they take shortcuts without thinking hard enough about the possible consequences. But it doesn't take much extra effort to handle toxic substances with care, and the results can help ensure the health and well-being of all of your charges, as well as the farm itself.
This article originally appeared in the February 2003 issue of EQUUS magazine.
