Poisonous plants

It is important to check your fields for weeds and poisonous plants regularly – adding this to your routine field checks will help you to remember!

Essential knowledge!

It’s important to be aware of the signs of poisoning. They include…

• loss of co-ordination
• diarrhoea
• producing more saliva than normal
• inability to pass droppings
• muscle contractions causing sudden movement
• colic
• sensitive skin in sunlight

Which plants are poisonous?

The following plants are some of the most poisonous to ponies and are commonly found in areas where ponies might graze.

Common poisonous plants to look out for include…

Ragwort – this plant is easy to spot thanks to its yellow, star-shaped flowers. It causes liver damage in ponies, but can also be harmful to humans, so wear gloves and use a specially designed ragwort fork to remove it. Burn it afterwards to prevent it spreading.

Buttercups – these common flowers are only poisonous in large quantities. However, they also contain an irritant that can burn ponies’ mouths and lips, which means even if ponies are eating the grass around them, buttercups can still be a problem. Ponies with sensitive or pink skin are especially affected.

Bracken – ponies generally avoid eating bracken (they don’t like the taste of it) unless their field doesn’t have much grass. It’s best to remove it, though, as more grass will then be able to grow.

Sycamore – the helicopter seeds from these trees have been associated with the serious muscle condition seasonal pasture myopathy. It’s most common in autumn, when seeds blow off the trees, so use the summer months to fence off sycamore trees and remove any seedlings.

Fact!

The seeds of sycamore trees, which are poisonous to ponies, are responsible for causing an often fatal condition called atypical myopathy. It’s important to clear up sycamore seeds that fall in your pony’s field, – as they can spread a long way – and section off the area they fall in so he can’t eat them.

Oak – acorns fall in autumn and can be harmful to ponies as well as being highly addictive, so fence off oak trees before acorns begin to fall.

Yew – these trees are extremely toxic to ponies, proving fatal even after only a small mouthful. Never let ponies graze in fields with yew trees, or where they can reach clippings.

Nightshade – Common in woods and hedges, the whole plant is poisonous. It’s not particularly palatable to horses, but can be accidentally eaten due to its habit of climbing over and through other plants. Look out for purple flowers and berries that begin green, but turn red in autumn.

St John’s Wort – Although commonly used in human medicine when processed, the whole plant is poisonous to horses. It is an invasive weed, so carry out regular checks for new plants and dig or pull them out, removing all the root (any left behind will regrow). It spreads rapidly, so avoid letting plants set seed.

Potato – Green potatoes and new shoots present the biggest risk, as well as any plants affected by potato blight. Check fencing around vegetable beds and compost heaps to ensure horses cannot access them. There should be a two-metre clearance.

Box – Although an ornamental plant, accidental poisoning can occur when horses have access to gardens – for example, over fences. Check the boundaries of grazing to ensure there are no box plants within two metres of the fence. The plants can grow quite quickly, so it’s important to regularly check there is a safe clearance.

Rhododendron – The leaves and flowers are poisonous, although not usually palatable to horses. They may be grown ornamentally in gardens, but are also invasive, growing in woodlands. Ensure a two-metre clearance between grazing fencing and any ornamental plants. Remove any plants growing in paddocks – for larger specimens, you may need to engage a professional tree surgeon.

Foxglove – these are tall, purple-pink, tubular flowers that appear between June – September. Ensure good forage is available as horses don’t usually eat foxglove unless other food is not available.

TOP TIP!

Always try to remove poisonous plants from your pony’s paddock, but if it’s not possible –  for example, if it would involve removing a large tree – keep ponies away from poisonous trees, plants or hedgerows by using electric fencing to section off the area. Leave at least two metres between the poisonous plant and the fence.

Test your knowledge of poisonous plants! How well have you remembered these poisonous plants?

What is the name of this poisonous plant?

Sycamore

What is the name of this poisonous plant?

Acorn

What is the name of this poisonous plant?

Deadly Nightshade

What is the name of this poisonous plant?

Foxglove

What is the name of this poisonous plant?

Ragwort

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