For several days, the RESPE, an epidemiological surveillance network for the equine sector, has been on the alert for autumn adonis, a ranunculus plant listed as toxic with rapid action.
Sentinel veterinarians must report brutal horse mortalities, especially in an area between Toulon, Valence and Perpignan.
The plant is at the origin of the fatal poisoning of twelve horses of the herd Gré d'Aigues-Mortes (Gard).
Their only fault was to have ingested hay containing adonis, a powerful neurotoxic and cardiotoxic.
“Between Tuesday noon and Wednesday, we lost seven horses in just one day.
We can just act on the symptoms.
We have moved mountains, mobilized pharmacists and veterinarians from all over France to get us the substances likely to relieve them, ”says Claire Meyer, the herd veterinarian.
A given endangered plant
"The solidarity has been exemplary but we have lost twelve of our horses, some of which are in boarding", laments Diana Gayraud, owner, with her mother Isabelle Gré, of this renowned establishment.
Now threatened with disappearance, the herd has launched a fund for its survival, while volunteers, riders and breeders watch night and day the 23 surviving horses and scrupulously note all their behavior, immediately reported to the veterinarian.
In his laboratory, Gilbert Gault, associate researcher of Vétagro-Sup de Lyon, a French specialist in toxic plants, is following this disaster with great attention.
“In the photo of the hay bale, I immediately spotted the orange petals and the fruit, characteristic of this ranunculus, given as endangered since the 1930s. The advent of biodiversity has undoubtedly favored its punctual return.
In 2018, in Vaucluse, the adonis of hay from the plain at the foot of the Luberon had already poisoned twelve horses out of fourteen from the same breeding, ”explains the researcher who collects reports of the appearance of adonis, the plant which now frightens the entire equine sphere of south-eastern France.
