Outbreak takes toll on horse breeding

Thoroughbreds are Kentucky's biggest agricultural product -- a $1.2 billion industry

From CNN National Correspondent Eileen O'Connor

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (CNN) -- An illness that causes abortions in pregnant mares has Kentucky's billion-dollar horse breeding industry reeling at the peak of the racing season.

Veterinarians suspect that a toxic fungus from the grass the mares eat has caused the problem, which analysts fear could cost hundreds of millions of dollars industrywide.

Thoroughbreds are Kentucky's biggest agricultural product -- a $1.2 billion industry spotlighted by last week's Kentucky Derby in Louisville. Kentucky is the biggest market for thoroughbreds in the world. Success on the track can bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and breeding the winners can sometimes bring in even more.

"We live, eat and breathe these horses, 24/7," said Karen Hogan, co-owner of Gaulstown Stud Farm outside Lexington.

VIDEO Something is killing foals in Kentucky's horse country. CNN's Eileen O'Connor reports (May 11) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

The Hogans have been in business for 22 years. They started their own farm nine years ago, naming their first mare Mystery of Faith. It's faith, they said, they are counting on, hoping this won't happen again in Kentucky.

An unusual drought followed by two hard freezes contributed to the spread of the toxic fungus. Hogan's prized mares have seen four spontaneous miscarriages among them, but no foals have been lost after birth.

For other farms in Kentucky, it's been far worse: As many as half of the expected births at other farms were either stillborn, or lost in early pregnancy. Experts say the losses are running at three times the normal rate.

"The usual abortion rate would be fairly low, less than 5 percent," said David Powell, the scientist at the University of Kentucky who is leading the inquiry into just what is causing these unexpected deaths. "This year, we've seen higher figures than that, somewhere in the 10 to 15 percent."

Those studying the problem believe it is unlikely to occur again, though it has apparently spread into Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania.

"We know it's not infectious, that it won't spread from here to other areas and contaminate other horses. It's very, very, very likely a micotoxin," said Bill Bernard.

Veterinarians suspect the abortions in pregnant mares are caused by a toxic fungus from the grass

Added Powell, "I think this year there was a set of environmental circumstances -- particularly the drought in April and also the very hot weather that followed afterwards -- that combined to contribute to this problem."

Breeders are battling the problem by adding a supplement to feeds that binds with the toxin, reducing its effect. In addition, Hogan said she is keeping her horses in at night to reduce their exposure to the grass.

"That and the binder, we hope, will prevent anything," she said.

Other farms have fared far worse. Hogan's husband Edmond attributes their success to the precautions they are taking, and perhaps his tradition of allowing cows to graze along with the mares and foals -- reducing the tall grasses. It's a custom he brought from his native Ireland.

"I've stayed awake at night trying to figure it out," Hogan said. But he said they are partly grasping at straws, taking measures to correct something whose cause is suspected but unknown.

The Hogans say breeding is safe in Kentucky, and clients still send their mares to Gaulstown for breeding. The Hogans recommend that the pregnant mares be sent home a few weeks earlier than usual -- if the owners have a farm elsewhere to keep them -- to better guarantee a healthy foal.

"It's scary," Karen Hogan said. "It's our livelihood, our future, our kids' education, and everything is riding on how well we do each year. And this has been a big blow to us and everyone else in the industry."