BEWARE THAT THERE ARE PLANTS DANGEROUS TO HORSES

 This article is not intended to make you paranoid about turning out your horse, but some things are valuable for you to know. A handful of plants and trees can play havoc with your horse’s digestive system, and some need to be avoided at all costs.

Let me share a significant number with you at the outset of this post. Suppose you have ANY doubt that your horse may have eaten something harmful to its health. The ASPCA has an ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER. Please write this number in a conspicuous place just in case ( 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435).

It will serve you well if you do some research before you turn your friend(s) out into a new pasture or change your hay supplier. Some best practices involve keeping your walking pastures, cutting pastures, fencing out poisonous trees, etc.

For example, one of the common plants that can cause colic is Milkweed. The good news is that horses don’t tend to eat this plant unless it is inadvertently bailed into their hay.

Surprisingly, some that are more toxic are; Azalea, Rhododendron, rayless goldenrod, yellow starthistle, nightshades, and the list goes on. Interestingly, some Blister Beetles can be bailed into alfalfa hay in the Southwest and Midwest.

A few trees also need to be considered; It is good to fence out Red Maple,  new growth Oak leaves, Hemlock and water Hemlock, Black Walnut, etc.

Lest I scare you into next week, there are things like Crape Myrtle, Black-Eyed Susans, Aster, and Cornflower, as well as others that are not in the least bit toxic.

I have to confess that I am surprised at some of these concerns. It just underlines the responsibility of Caring for your horse correctly. Make sure they have a steady regimen of supplements like Ramard Total Pre and Probiotic Powder Equine and Ramard Total Gut Health. Jump over to Caringhorse supplies.com to see solutions to your horse’s health.

Thanks for being a Caring Horse Owner.