Kimberly disease or Crotalism or Walk about disease

Walkabout disease, which is also known as Kimberley horse disease, affects horses that graze plants of the genus Crotalaria, commonly known as rattlepods.
Crotalaria species are known to cause walkabout disease in horses

Causes

Crotalaria plant species contain poisonous substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which, when broken down to their metabolites, are toxic to the liver

Symptoms

• Weakness
  
• Anorexia
  
• Emaciation
  
• Loss of coordination
  
• Nervous damage
  
• Horses often stand with their heads held down
  
• Horses become dull and depressed
  
• Head pressing
  
• Difficult swallowing
  
• Horses drag their hind legs
  

Prevention

• Remove horses from paddocks that contain Crotalaria plants and feed them good quality hay
• Mechanical removal of crotolaria plants and weeds

Treatment

• Contact the veterinarian immediately.
  
• Intravenous fluids to support circulation and protect the kidneys and other organs.
• Laxatives can be given to avoid absorbtion of toxins.