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Toxic Plants and Trees

86K views 145 replies 103 participants last post by  QtrBel 
#1 ·
Lets all put our heads together and create a handy list of plants and trees that are toxic to horses.

A link to a website and/or pictures would be a great resource for all of us to ensure the heath and safety of our horses!

As we are all from different parts of the US and World please feel free to add native plants to your area!!! :D

Equine Health
 
#5 ·
Johnson grass, especially very early in it's growth cycle contains a natural form of cyanide as well. It is very common nation wide.

Wild Cherry trees should be cut down and carted off if you have any in your pasture. The dead branches are toxic to horses; they absorb the toxin through their feet. There have been numerous cases of people who have mulched the branches and used them for bedding only to find their horses very ill or dead. Horses who ingest the leaves or nibble on the bark can die within hours.

Oak leaves that have soaked in your horse's water tank can cause many illnesses.
 
#7 ·
Remember that normally horses will avoid toxic plants as long as there is ample forage for them. Lack of hay, grass, and boredom will cause horses to look for things to eat and then it becomes even more crucial to check the pastures and paddocks.
 
#9 ·
Here are the top ten most poisonous plants:

1. Bracken Firn
2. Hemlock
3. Tansy Ragwort
4. Johnsongrass/Sudan Grass
5. Locoweed
6. Oleander
7. Red Maple Trees
8. Water Hemlock
9. Yellow Star Thistle
10. Yew Shrub

Others:
Any plant of the Prunus species i.e. Cherry, Plum, Peach etc.
Acorns, Oak leaves
Horse Chestnut
Black Locust
Black Walnut
Mountain Laurel - - PA
Rhododendron & Azaleas
Milkweed
Sorghum Grass
White Snakeroot

WHEW! That's a lot to remember!
 
#12 ·
I just had to do a report on this for my animal science class.

I found this, which is fairly comprehensive, and though I only re-checked what was relevant for me, it was correct.
http://www.springcreekhr.org/Documents/ToxicPlants.pdf

This one isn't horse-specific, but it lists anything that reacts to anything.
Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System

The Merck Vet. Manual is always good to refer to:
Merck Veterinary Manual

ETA: Buttercup info is for sure in the first link, and in the second they have a few varieties of buttercup.
 
#17 ·
I have oak trees nearby my barn. I don't have my horses at my house yet, as we are still preparing for them. Should I be worried about the leaves dropping into the fence and them accidentally eating them? There will be grass for them to graze on and I'd hate for them to get sick. Should we take the trees out or just make sure we leaf blow when they start to fall off the trees? Thanks!
 
#19 · (Edited)
We just discussed this in my Equine Nutrition class. Check out this document it lists poisonous plants for North Central US. Its lengthy, but I don't think thats really an issue! http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI8491.pdf

It has pics of all the plants and descriptions of what they do, what part of the plant causes the issue, how to control the plant, toxicity, etc. Lots of info!
 
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