Four Horse Deaths Blamed on Tainted Feed, FL Stable Preparing to Lose Last 18 Horses That Also Ingested
Incredibly sad news is coming out of Florida this week as the fourth in a string of horse deaths connected to recalled feed manufactured by Lakeland Animal Nutrition, Inc. was announced. All four of the horses that have died were confirmed to have ingested feed tainted with an antibiotic [monensin] commonly used in cattle feed but that’s fatal to equines.
All 22 horses at Masterpiece Equestrian Center had been eating the feed for a month before anyone noticed something was amiss.
A piece by The Associated Press released today indicates that the fate of the remaining 18 horses has already been sealed. “Three horses died in October, and a fourth was euthanized Monday. The rest will die, some possibly as soon as this week,” (Associated Press, 2014).
Lakeland Animal Nutrition issued a voluntary recall Oct. 22nd, following the first three horse deaths. Then, the official FDA recall is dated December 3rd of the following products. In addition, the company released a statement indicating they no longer plan to manufacture equine feed.
- Signature Status Pellet (Lot Number 14-251) – Manufacture Date: September 8
- Signature Equilete Pellet (Lot Number 14-259) – Manufacture Date: September 16
- Signature Status Pellet (Lot Number 14-280) – Manufacture Date: October 7
- LAN 10 Pellet (Lot Number 14-281) – Manufacture Date: October 8
Click here to read piece by The Associated Press.
Click here to read the piece by The Horse.
We would like to send our prayers and condolences to everyone at Masterpiece Equestrian Center in the wake of these tragic circumstances.
