From what I've read, the answer is POLITICS.

Aflatoxin is a widespread problem in grain.  In countries that experience hot and humid weather conditions, it is expecially problematic.  The aflatoxin policy, which is determined by bureaucrats, politicians and lobbyists, sets a standard that allows grain to be imported/exported.

What's interesting is that USA standards allow a higher aflatoxin level than many other countries.  I'll try to find that link again.

As with many other things, the USA seems to be in "a race to the bottom" WRT import standards. 

One import standard that we're very familiar with is the import standard for melamine.  IMHO, when the EPA deleted the tolerance for melamine, all hell broke loose.  The bureaucrats and politicians, being either very naive or very stupid, didn't anticipate that crooks (both foreign and domestic) would take advantage of the rule change.  To demonstrate how truly naive and stupid they were, the EPA "announced" the new rule in the Federal Register (it's online) for all the world to see.

The folks in Washington really need to get a clue.         

5CatMom
₌^..^₌

Horses

Although the effects of various mycotoxins on horses are not as well documented in scientific literature as for some other animals, field situations suggest that mycotoxin problems are significant. Horses, which are non-ruminants, may be more susceptible to mycotoxins than ruminants, since nutrient absorption occurs prior to fermentative digestion in the horse compared to ruminants in which absorption occurs after fermentative digestion. Mycotoxins have been implicated in causing colic, neurological disorders, paralysis, hypersensitivity, organ deterioration, reduced growth rate, poor feed efficiency, impaired fertility, and death. Due to the lack of conclusive scientific research concerning the levels of various mycotoxins tolerated by the horse, emphasis should be placed on feeding mycotoxin-free grain and forage to horses. Based on field observations, it has been suggested that the maximum aflatoxin level for mature, non-breeding horses should not exceed 50 ppb, and that growing horses (less than 2 years old), breeding horses, and work horses, should receive only aflatoxin-free rations.

       Aflatoxicosis is a disease caused by the consumption of aflatoxins, and the effects are dependent on the species, age, and condition of the animals involved, the amount of aflatoxin consumed, and the length of exposure. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the most potent naturally occurring animal carcinogens. Aflatoxicosis has varying negative effects on animal health depending on the species, and aflatoxin has been implicated in cancer and other diseases in humans.

http://plantpathology.tamu.edu/aflatoxin/effects.htm

Arabiannikki, thank you for the info. that's what i was looking for.
This happened a few years ago, but i'll tell You some of it.
My horse, Magic, was very healthy all Her life. she has never been sick like other horses, never gave Me any problems. She was 23 years old. One day, I was out back with Her cleaning out the building, and she came running into her stall. she laid down, rolled, and acted like it was colic. Then She got right up and started a fast walk right on down the field and across the field to the guy next doors land  and kept right on going, with a funny look in Her eyes, like she didn't even know what was going on. She would have kept right on going through everything, but i grabbed some guys belt off a porch she went by, and threw it around Her neck. I tried to guide Her back to home, and had such a hard time, she took Me through very high grass and fields. snakes were out, so I didn't want to go that way, but i wouldn't let go of her. We finally got back and I put Her in the barn, so i could call the vet. I ran back out of the house with the phone and she had gone down again and gotten Her legs all caught in the stall doors. So bad, I had to take a hammer and break the stall doors down to get Her legs out. I had a halter on Her by then.
I called My vet, and then My husband. And kept Magic on Her feet.
She walked with Me to open ground and just kept going around in a circle. The vet came, My husband came. The vet thought colic, like i did. Gave Her a shot for pain, and ran a tube down Her nose, flushed Her out. Nothing worked, she was still in terrible pain. So the vet gave Her another large dose of pain meds. and kept the tube and meds going into Her stomach. We attached it so it would stay.
She just kept walking in that same circle for hours. Then she would roll, and walk again. I let go of her and She stayed walking in the same circle.
I called the vet back, she said the pain med. should have just about knocked Her out, but they weren't doing anything. then She started bleeding from the tube out Her nose.
To make a long story short, the vet came back out and saw how much pain She was in and said We should put Her down.
This horse was My life. I had waited for years to finally get a horse and I felt like I had Her forever. She was always so good.
I couldn't stand to see Her in this much pain, so the vet did put Her down. After We pulled the tube out, she bled everywhere. Lots of blood. I don't know why? But I do know she just wasn't Herself at all.
Anyway, I fed Purina horse feed. So that's why i was asking all these questions. I will always wonder what happened. It could have been colic, but i think it was more than that??
What does everyone think?

That is such a sad thing, Trudy, and I'm sorry you lost your horse. I was once researching opossoms and I found that they can carry a parasite that causes a neurological disease in horses. The symptoms do sound different from what you saw but here are two links in case it's a help. There's only a remote chance of this, I think, and I have no idea if it could be related, but it might help you find more information about equine neurological diseases. The range map in an old Audubon guide does show opossoms in NC.

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=24

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/epm.htm

Whatever the cause, I sympathize with you.

 

We do have a lot of possums, and i'm sure they went into the grain bin. This happened very fast though, in a day. because i was with Her every day and never noticed anything before that day.
She was up to date on all Her shots, so i know it wasn't anything that she caught.
this is something to think about.
thanks for the info.

Trudy, how heartbreaking and scary about what happened to your horse!  There are so many things that can go wrong with horses.  I hope this was one of those once-in-a-lifetime things, and that nothing like this will ever happen to you or yours again.

Here's the entire list from this week's FDA Enforcement Report.  Note that there's lamb, deer, elk, cattle, pig, poultry and rabbit food on this recall list:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ENFORCE/2008/ENF01057.html

FDA Enforcement Report May 21, 2008

RECALLS AND FIELD CORRECTIONS:  VETERINARY MEDICINE - CLASS II
___________________________________
PRODUCT
1)  Country Acres Horse Pellet 12, formula number 35DS, item number 0041940.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-046-2008;
2)  Purina Equine Senior, formula number 35J9, item number 0001209.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-047-2008;
3) Horse Chow 100, formula number 3531, item number 0004984.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-048-2008;
4)  All Stock Sweet 12%, formula number 33VN, item number 0044453.
    The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-049-2008;
5)  Antlermax Deer 20, formula number 59SB, item number 0049801.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-050-2008;
6)  Antlermax RUT & CND Deer 16, formula number 59SD, item number 0049897.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-051-2008;
7)  Antlermax Watershield Deer 20, formula number 59SS, item number 0049802.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-052-2008;
8 )  AS 700 Ettes, formula number 0596, item number 0032030.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-053-2008;
9)  Country Acres All Stock 12% Texture, formula number 53Q7, item number
     0047133. The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-054-2008;
10) Country Acres All Stock 14% Texture, formula number 56AT, item number
      0049098. The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-055-2008;
11) Country Acres All Stock 16% Texture, formula number 56AZ, item number
      0051858. The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-056-2008;
12) Country Acres Deer & Elk 20, formula number 54JZ, item number 0049901.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-057-2008;
13) Country Acres Horse Complete 14, formula number 35EZ, item number 0048193.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-058-2008;
14) Country Acres Horse Pellet 10, formula number 35DR, item number 0041941.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-059-2008;
15) Country Acres Horse Pellet 14 (5/32), formula number 35DT, item
      number 0041939. The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-060-2008;
16) Country Acres Horse Pellet 14 (Ovals). formula number 35DT9, item
      number 0055999. The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-061-2008;
17) Country Acres Horse Sweet 10, formula number 35DN, item number 0041937.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-062-2008;
18) Country Acres Horse Sweet 12, formula number 35D9, item number 0041943.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-063-2008;
19) Country Acres Layer 16%, formula number 6514, item number 0009876.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-064-2008;
20) Country Acres Wildlife Builder, formula number 54KY, item number 0053498.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-065-2008;
21) Cattle Finisher 40 W/O, formula number 3923, item number 0009798.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-066-2008;
22) Cattle Finisher 50 W/O, formula number 3982M, item number 0001273.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-067-2008;
23) Cattle Finisher 32 W/O, formula number 3895, item number 0009271.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-068-2008
24) Coarse 14, formula number 3080, item number 0001089.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-069-2008;
25) Complete Advantage, formula number 3505, item number 0034202.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-070-2008;
26) CTC 4 gm Ettes , formula number 0982, item number 0032024.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-071-2008;
27) CU Clearbrook B38 DY CC, formula number 1BT1, item number 0067147.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-072-2008;
28) CU K&K 18% Calf DQ, formula number 1BSP, item number 0067069.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-073-2008;
29) Economy Special 14, formula number 1119, item number 0009492.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-074-2008;
30) Equine Adult, formula number 35V7, item number 0001822.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-075-2008;
31) Equine Junior, formula number 35G9, item number 0001206.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-076-2008;
32) Farm Club 15% Rabbit Pellet, formula number 50W5, item number 0001341.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-077-2008;
33) Homegrown Laying Ration Cr, formula number 65AE, item number 0011563.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-078-2008;
34) Horse Chow 200, formula number 3532, item number 0005888.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-079-2008;
35) Horseman's Edge 10:10 TXT HF, formula number 35CZ, item number 0054628.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-080-2008;
36) Horseman's Edge Complete 14, formula number 35TK, item number 0065331.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-081-2008;
37) Horseman's Edge Pellet 10:6, formula number 35Y5, item number 0010610.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-082-2008;
38) Horseman's Edge PLT 12:6 + Lys, formula number 35TG, item number 0065244.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-083-2008;
39) Horseman's Edge Sweet 14:6, formula number 35TP, item number 0065356.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-084-2008;
40) Horseman's Edge Sweet 16:6 Mare & Foal, formula number 35TL, item number
      0065353. The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-085-2008;
41) Horseman's Edge Sweet 12:6 + Lys, formula number 35TM, item number 0065354.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-086-2008;
42) Nutrisource Deer Feed, formula number 5ZD8, item number 0051579.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-087-2008;
43) Platform Mare & Foal, formula number 35SD, item number 0062178.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-088-2008;
44) Platform Mini-Horse & Pony 25#, formula number 35ST, item number 0065838.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-089-2008;
45) Platform Pleasure Horse, formula number 35SB, item number 0062176.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-090-2008;
46) Platform Senior Horse, formula number 35SE, item number 0062180.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-091-2008;
47) Platform Sport Horse, formula number 35SC, item number 0062177.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-092-2008;
48) Prepare Concentrate 36% E, formula number 12R2, item number 0000066.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-093-2008;
49) Pure Pride 100, formula number 3516, item number 0001178.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-094-2008;
50) Show Lamb Ultra Toner 18 F DQ, formula number 31UF, item number 0063592.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-095-2008;
51) Sow & Pig Builder OTC 50, formula number 35WK, item number 0047869.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-096-2008;
52) Producer's Pride Haystretche, item number 0004859.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-097-2008;
53) DuMOR Pleasure Horse 12, item number 0046517.
     The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-098-2008;
54) Producer's Pride Calf Starte, item number 0009729.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-099-2008;
55) DuMOR Mare & Foal 16, item number 0046518.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-100-2008;
56) Producer's Pride 10% Sweet, item number 0009771.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-101-2008;
57) Producer's Pride Rabbit, item number 0046821.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-102-2008;
58) Producer's Pride Range Cube, item number 0011011.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-103-2008;
59) DuMOR Sheep, item number 0047317.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-104-2008;
60) DuMOR Rabbit Pellet 50/24, item number 0019364.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-105-2008;
61) Nutrisource Deer Feed, item number 0051579.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-106-2008;
62) Platform Pleasure Horse, item number 0062176.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-107-2008;
63) Golden Feed All Stock Dry 12, item number 0045017.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-108-2008;
64) Platform Sport Horse, item number 0062177.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-109-2008;
65) DuMOR Performance Horse 14, item number 0046493.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-110-2008;
66) Platform Mare & Foal, item number 0062178.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-111-2008;
67) DuMOR Senior Horse 14, item number 0046494.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-112-2008;
68) Platform Senior Horse, item number 0062180.
      The product is sold in 50 lb bags, Recall # V-113-2008
CODE
1)   Lot numbers 8JAN24HAR3 and 8FEB06HAR2;
2)   Lot number 8FEB01HAR2;
3)   Lot number 8JAN11HAR2;
4)   Lot numbers 8JAN08HAR2 and 8JAN09HAR3;
5)  thru 68)  Lot numbers range from 8JAN01HAR to 8FEB08HAR
RECALLING FIRM/MANUFACTURER
Purina Mills LLC d/b/a Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC, Camp Hill, PA, by telephone and letter on April 4, 2008 and April 9, 2008. Firm initiated recall is ongoing.
REASON
Elevated aflatoxins levels.
VOLUME OF PRODUCT IN COMMERCE
100,450 bags
DISTRIBUTION
Nationwide

As shown, it's Purina doing business as Land O' Lakes.

I read some where that Aflatoxin causes gastro bleeding too....??  Trudy, I am so very sorry for your loss!!!  I am sorry for what you and your baby had to endure too but like Klondike said, your baby is in a better place now!!!