STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF THE TIAXGF. 



43 



eating white loco weed. Figure 19 is a locoed range horse, probably 

 affected by the blue loco weed. In Figure 20 are shown two horses 

 poisoned by the purple loco weed. These pictures show very well 

 the lack of muscular coordination which is one of the striking 

 symptoms in locoed 

 animals. 



The losses from loco 

 plants have been enor- 

 mous. Some owners 

 have gone into bank- 

 ruptcy, and in many 

 cases it has been found 

 impossible to run 

 horses or cattle on cer- 

 tain ranges. 



Treatment of Animals 

 Poisoned by Loco "Weeds 



It does not always 



Figure 19 



A lc 



•d horse in Arizona, 

 is typical 



The attitude 



follow that animals eat 

 the plants in any very large quantity, for even in a place like that 

 shown in Plate 16 cattle may be pastured for a long time without 

 becoming affected. The most important point in regard to the han- 

 dling of domestic animals on such a loco range, as will be emphasized 

 later in this bulletin, is to see that they have an abundance of good 

 feed. When the range contains in addition to the loco an abundance 

 of grasses the number of locoed animals is very much reduced. 



When the first symptoms of loco poisoning are observed, it is 

 essential that the animals be removed to a place where they can 



not get the plants. 

 Horses are very apt, 

 after becoming slightly 

 locoed, to continue eat- 

 ing the plant until 

 they are absolutely 

 worthless. It is always 

 unsafe to keep a partly 

 locoed horse on ground 

 that is covered with 

 the plant. The same 

 is true in regard to 

 cattle, only to a lesser 

 degree. As soon as 

 symptoms of loco poi- 

 soning are seen in cat- 

 tle they should be re- 

 moved from the open 

 range and. if possible, 

 put on alfalfa pasture. All locoed animals are constipated, and the 

 alfalfa has a tendency to relieve this condition. 



Generally speaking, if cattle are moved from the open range in 

 time and fed on alfalfa, most of them will recover. After recovery 



Figure 20, — Locoed horses in western Nebraska, show 

 ing lack of muscular coordination 



