Botulism in Horses: Signs, Hay Cube Risk and Utah's 2026 Recall

What's happening: Utah's alfalfa hay cube recall

Botulism in horses is a rare but often fatal paralysis caused by a toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, usually eaten in contaminated hay or feed. It is now a suspected, but not confirmed, cause of horse illnesses and deaths in southern Utah and nearby states.

On Nov. 6, 2026, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) said it was investigating illness and deaths in horses in southern Utah. It started with several sick horses on one farm, and three of them died.

Starting Nov. 2, the agency got more reports of affected horses in southern Utah, Nevada and Arizona. UDAF is testing alfalfa hay cubes sold at facilities in southern Utah.

Here is what has been announced so far:

• The recall: Laub's Feeding and Cubing voluntarily recalled the alfalfa hay cubes it sold starting Oct. 3, 2026. KSL reports the business has locations in St. George, Beryl and Paragonah.
• The hold order: UDAF inspectors put a hold order on sales of the cubes and collected samples.
• The lab work: Samples are going to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lab. Results are expected within the month.
• The advice: If you bought hay cubes from Laub's after Oct. 3, don't feed them, as a precaution.

Is it botulism?

Maybe, but the cause is not confirmed. On Nov. 9, AGDAILY reported that State Veterinarian Amanda Price told FOX 13 that preliminary testing suggested botulism could be responsible.

The state's official line is careful: without test results, officials say they cannot confirm the cause or the source of the deaths. Until the FDA lab reports, treat botulism as a possibility, not a finding.

What is botulism in horses?

Botulism in horses is a paralysis caused by a toxin made by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The toxin blocks the signals from nerves to muscles, so a horse gets weaker and weaker, often starting with the muscles used to eat and swallow.

The bacteria live as hardy spores in soil almost everywhere. They only make toxin when they get the right conditions: little oxygen, moisture and something rotting to feed on.

A few facts worth knowing:

• Horses are very sensitive to the toxin, so a small amount can make one seriously ill.
• Three types matter in U.S. horses: A, B and C. The AAEP says type B causes most cases, type A is more common in western soils, and type C is linked to dead animals.
• Foals can get it too. "Shaker foal" syndrome affects young foals, usually under about 4 weeks old, that swallow spores from soil.
• It is not contagious. Horses get it from what they eat, not from each other. That's why several sick horses in one barn point to a shared feed or water source.

Why hay and hay cubes can carry botulism

Hay, haylage and cubes are made in bulk, so one bad spot can end up spread through many bags or bales. These are the classic ways toxin gets into forage:

• A dead animal baled in. A mouse, rabbit, snake or bird caught by the mower or baler can rot inside the hay and produce toxin. This is the usual route for type C.
• Spoiled, damp plant matter. Hay baled too wet, or round bales left out in the rain, can rot inside. UConn Extension advises baling below 22% moisture.
• Soil in the hay. Spores in dirt get raked into windrows, especially when rake tines sit too low.
• Poorly fermented haylage or silage. If the pH doesn't drop enough, the bacteria can grow.

Cubes are just chopped, pressed forage. They are convenient and usually safe, but you can't see inside them, so a contaminated batch is hard to spot by eye. That's why recall notices matter so much with cubes.

A different recall: Manzanola Feeds, 2022

You may remember an earlier alfalfa cube scare. In December 2022, Manzanola Feeds of Colorado recalled certain lots of Top of the Rockies alfalfa cubes after horses showed neurologic signs.

The FDA later confirmed C. botulinum type C in that case. That recall was closed by the FDA on Oct. 11, 2023, and it has nothing to do with Laub's or the 2026 Utah investigation.

Botulism symptoms in horses: early signs to watch

Botulism usually starts quietly. The UConn fact sheet says signs can show up within hours or as late as 7 to 10 days after exposure.

Watch for:

• A weak tongue. It may hang out, or your horse can't pull it back in normally.
• Trouble swallowing. Slow chewing, feed dropping from the mouth, drooling or feed coming back out of the nose.
• Droopy eyelids and a sleepy, dull look.
• Muscle tremors and weakness, often worse after a little exercise.
• Stumbling or a short, stiff stride.
• A weak or limp tail.
• Lying down a lot, or struggling to get up.
• Mild colic signs or depression. Utah officials listed depression, colic and incoordination as neurologic signs that need a vet right away.

Many of these signs overlap with other serious problems, from choke to neurologic viruses. You don't need to figure out which one it is. That's your vet's job.

When to call the vet right away

Call immediately, day or night, if your horse:

1. Has trouble eating or swallowing, or is dropping feed.
2. Seems weak, trembly or unsteady.
3. Is lying down more than normal or can't get up.
4. Shows any of these signs and has eaten cubes or hay from a recalled or suspect source.

UDAF notes that treatment is difficult but may work if it starts quickly after signs appear. Minutes and hours matter, so don't wait to see if it passes.

While you wait for the vet

• Stop feeding the suspect cubes or hay to every horse, not just the sick one.
• Keep the bag or bale. Set it aside, label it, and don't throw it away. It may be needed for testing.
• Write down the product, where and when you bought it, and any lot code on the bag.
• Don't try to drench or force feed a horse that can't swallow. Leave that to your vet.
• For general emergency prep, see our colic signs guide.

How to prevent botulism in horses

You can't sterilize the world, but you can cut the risk a lot. Use this checklist:

• Check recall notices from your state agriculture department and the FDA, especially after you hear of local cases.
• Don't feed moldy, wet, dusty or bad-smelling hay or cubes. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Look through flakes as you feed. Pull out anything that looks like fur, feathers or a carcass, and discard the whole bale if you find one.
• Buy from reputable sources that can tell you where and how the forage was made. Our guide on how to buy hay for horses covers what to ask.
• Store feed dry and off the ground, on pallets under cover, and keep rodents and birds out.
• Feed round bales and haylage carefully. Avoid bales that have sat in the weather, and use opened haylage quickly.
• Keep water troughs clean and check them for drowned animals.
• Save a sample or the bag label from each new batch of cubes, so you can check lot codes against any recall.

Should my horse get the botulism vaccine?

Ask your vet. In the U.S., the vaccine available for horses protects against type B only, so it won't cover every type.

It isn't a core shot for every horse. Vets often suggest it in regions where type B is common, for broodmares and foals in those areas, and for horses that eat haylage or silage.

If your vet recommends it, a horse with no history usually needs a short starting series and then boosters. Your vet will set the schedule for your region.

What to do now and what to watch next

If you bought Laub's alfalfa hay cubes after Oct. 3, 2026:

• Stop feeding them now.
• Keep the product and your receipt. AGDAILY reported the business says it is offering refunds.
• Watch your horses closely for the signs above, and call your vet at the first one.
• Ask your vet about reporting any illness to UDAF or your own state veterinarian.

What to watch next:

• FDA lab results, expected within the month. They should say whether botulism is the cause and whether the cubes are the source.
• Updates from UDAF on the hold order and any change to the recall's dates or products.
• Reports from Nevada, Arizona and nearby states, including any official case counts.

Feeding cubes from a different, trusted source is fine for most horses. If you're switching feeds, our hay feeding guide can help you keep amounts right, and you can learn more on our nutrition and health basics pages.