Plants that are poisonous for horses can often be found on the edges of pastures, near ditches or at the edge of forests. Factors such as the time of mowing, fertilization and soil conditions also have an influence on what grows in a meadow.
What the hay! Is that poisonous or safe for horses?
21 December 2023 — by Linn Masch
What's growing in the pasture and, more importantly, can my horse eat it? What you can look out for and why some plants may be poisonous for horses.
Key poisonous plants for horses
Poisoning often occurs when horses eat shrubs or bushes in or adjacent to the pasture. Garden waste stored next to meadows can also be a risk factor. The dose makes the poison and how much poison the plants contain depends on the season, the weather and the soil conditions. The most poisonous plants for horses include:
"Bright yellow petals on sunny slopes, forest edges and meadows are a possible indication for me. There is a risk of confusion with St. John's wort, which always has five petals."
Ragwort
This is one of the most poisonous plants for horses. Both the fresh plant and the dried version in hay are very poisonous. Ingestion can lead to fatal liver failure. "Bright yellow petals on sunny slopes, forest edges and meadows are a possible indication for me. There is a risk of confusion with St. John's wort, which always has five petals."
"Anyone who eats me can get palpitations, colic, accelerated breathing, bloody urine or laminitis."
Sycamore maple
The sycamore maple can cause pasture myopathy – a muscle disease with symptoms of paralysis, cramps and sweating. It can also be fatal. "Anyone who eats me can get palpitations, colic, accelerated breathing, bloody urine or laminitis."
"You can find me in damp meadows from mid-April. I am very poisonous, and just 50 grams is enough to poison you, which can lead to colic, bloody diarrhea, circulatory weakness and paralysis."
Autumn crocus
Autumn crocus is highly poisonous for horses, but are easily mixed up with the non-toxic wild garlic. The plant is also poisonous in hay. "You can find me in damp meadows from mid-April. I am very poisonous, 50 grams and I'm toxic, able to cause colic, bloody diarrhea, circulatory weakness and paralysis."
"I have dark blue flowers and am mainly found in damp meadows or higher up in the mountains. My lethal dose is 200-400 grams of the fresh plant."
Aconite
Aconite, also known as monkshood, can cause heart and respiratory problems after ingestion. "I have dark blue flowers and I'm mainly found in damp meadows or higher up in the mountains. My lethal dose is 200-400 grams of the fresh plant."
"Whether cut into a ball or statue shape, I am completely poisonous and can cause diarrhea or cramps. Eating 700-900 grams of my leaves can be fatal."
Boxwood
Boxwood is often planted as decoration or as a border in gardens. Ingestion of boxwood can lead to convulsions as well as cardiac and respiratory paralysis. "Whether cut into a ball or statue shape, I'm completely poisonous and can cause diarrhea or convulsions. Eating 700-900 grams of my leaves can be fatal."
"I am a very poisonous ornamental plant with red berries, everything about me is poisonous and just 100-200 grams of needle can lead to death within minutes."
Yew tree
Like the boxwood, the yew is a plant that is often used as a border on properties. The needles, the red berries and the seeds are all very poisonous and can cause heart failure. "I'm a very poisonous ornamental plant with red berries, everything about me is poisonous and just 100-200 grams of needles can lead to death within minutes."
"I am mainly found in forests and gardens, I am highly poisonous - especially my bark, even small amounts of which can be fatal."
Robinia
Black locust is a very poisonous tree whose poison is found in the bark. This is why the wood should not be used to build fences or stables. "I'm mainly found in forests and gardens, I'm very poisonous - especially my bark, even small amounts of which can be fatal."
"Many people know me as a buttercup. I'm mainly eaten when there's not enough grass in the pasture."
Buttercup
Normally horses don't like to eat buttercups and leave them standing. However, if there is not enough food, they sometimes eat it too. "Many people know me as a buttercup. I'm mainly eaten when there's not enough grass in the pasture."
Protective measures
Control the pasture You can regularly check your pasture for the plants mentioned above to prevent your horses from ingesting the toxic substances. A solid fence is also important because it prevents the horses from eating plants outside the pasture. You should also check the area right next to the fence as nimble nostrils can stretch through fences.
The fence Who would have thought that a fence could be poisonous? It's worth finding out about the material before building a fence. This way you can prevent the horses from being poisoned by nibbling on the fence. If you regularly offer your horses something to do - for example birch, willow or hazelnut wood - you can prevent them from chewing on non-toxic fences.
Feed supply If the grass becomes scarce, you should offer additional hay so that the horses have enough food without eating poisonous plants. How do I remember this now? You may not recognize all the plants you have read about here. But, if you look at the information sheet a few times, you might think the next time you're out in the pasture: Wait a minute... And that's enough! Just pull out your smartphone and scan the plant. There are various apps for this, such as Picture This or Flora Incognita.
Expert knowledge: What actually makes plants poisonous?
Plants are a sought-after source of food for various creatures and organisms. Their inedibility or toxicity is their protection against enemies. The most important substances in a plant that make it harmful are:
- Alkaloids
- Cyanogenic glycosides (contain hydrocyanic acid)
- Glucosinolates
- Toxic amino acids
- Isoprenoids
- Saponins
- Polyphenols
- Tannins
- Coumarins and derivatives
These ingredients can, for example, damage the liver or kidneys, cause skin and mucous membrane irritation and have a negative effect on blood clotting. The content of these substances in plants can vary greatly.
Handout of poisonous plants:
→
Download
