Almost certainly herbicide damage, yes.

Yeah, herbicide. Cut off all the affected areas and keep it well watered to try and flush out the toxins. You may get further ugly growth for a while until the rose out grows those toxins.

Because of the excessive thorns, I would still take the precaution of cutting off the affected cane at the base. Did you use a magnifying glass and look for mites?

Cut as close as I could without going underground. A few are actually below the graft site. Will treat with Ortho Rose
pride.
Thank you.
Phew.

Why would you treat it with Ortho Rose Pride?

Kate

One of Henry's H202 or RRD posts with links to Texas or Florida ag. Departments suggested it ....and I have it in the garage. Lol. Or maybe it was MichaelG.

There are a number of products with Ortho Rose Pride in the name. One is labeled for mites.

"Ortho RosePride Insectm Disease & Mite Control gives systemic protection against aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites and more for up to 2 weeks. This product can be used on roses, flowers, and ornamental shrubs"

I do not know if it works on this mite.

The most common Rose Pride product is a fungicide (triforine) that would have no effect on mites or RRD.

The stringy, feathery look of the bad growth is typical of RoundUp damage.