07/15/2026
Heads up, horse owners 🚨
Alsike clover is in pastures and it’s not the same as red or white clover.
What to watch for:
Photosensitization: sunburn-like crusting on pink/white skin (nose, pasterns), swollen lips/mouth sores, squinting or eye irritation.
Liver injury (“big liver syndrome”) with ongoing exposure: poor appetite, weight loss, depression, jaundice, colic—can be fatal.
How to spot it:
Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) has hairless stems/leaves, no white V-mark on leaves (unlike white clover), and flower heads that are pinkish—darker at the base, lighter at the tip.
What to do:
Remove affected horses from the pasture immediately, provide shade, fresh water, and call your vet if you see any of the signs above.
Walk pastures after rain or cool, wet spells—risk rises with stress and fungal growth on clovers.
Manage pastures: mow before seed set, overseed with grasses, and use a pasture-safe broadleaf herbicide where needed. Avoid feeding hay with visible clover if you can’t confirm species.
If your horse shows photosensitivity or any signs of illness, contact the clinic right away. 3067527387
