If changes are made in the ration, they should be done gradually, over a 7 to 10 day period to avoid colics and other digestive upsets. To maintain the desired condition of the horses, be sure to balance the ration to provide the same nutrient levels of crude protein, digestible energy, calcium, phosphorous, and trace minerals. Other energy sources can be used such as barley, oats, rye, or wheat. It is very rare for F. moniliforme to infect barley, oats, and wheat. Fumonisin can be produced by the fungus on these grains in the laboratory, but it has not been encountered under natural conditions at toxic levels.
Infected kernels are very light weight.
Most are blown out the back of the combine. When some of the corn is replaced with other grain, the composition of the ration changes. A bushel of barley should weigh at least 45 to 47 pounds. Oats are much higher in protein and lower in energy than is corn. A bushel of oats should weigh at least 35 to 40 pounds.