Equine Liver Disease: Welfare and Nutritional Management

Liver disease in horses encompasses several conditions from ragwort poisoning to hepatic fibrosis, and poses serious welfare challenges given the liver's central role in metabolism, detoxification, and nutrient processing.

Key Facts

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in UK horses
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in ragwort cause irreversible hepatic fibrosis that progresses even after exposure ceases
Hyperlipaemia secondary to liver disease is a common cause of death in ponies and donkeys
Signs of hepatic encephalopathy include behavioural changes, head pressing, and apparent blindness
Liver enzyme testing and biopsy are needed to accurately diagnose and stage liver disease in horses

Welfare Considerations

Horses with advanced liver disease experience hepatic encephalopathy, causing neurological signs including distress, disorientation, and abnormal behaviour that is frightening and painful. Jaundice, photosensitisation from liver failure to process phylloerythrin, and secondary nutritional deficiency further compound suffering. Ragwort poisoning is largely preventable through pasture management, making this a particularly significant welfare issue. Early identification of liver disease before clinical signs develop allows dietary and medical management to extend quality life.

What You Can Do

Implement rigorous ragwort removal from all pasture where horses graze
Inspect hay and forage for ragwort contamination before feeding
Test liver enzyme panels as part of routine health screening in at-risk horses and ponies
Seek specialist advice from an equine internal medicine specialist if liver disease is diagnosed