Plants toxic to horses

Horses will usually stay away from toxic plants, but if a horses pasture is lacking good quality grasses then a horse may start eating other plants so they feel full. If a horse eats a toxic plant they may have an immediate reaction or they may just have mild discomfort. Some plants toxic to horses are:

• Black Locust: which is found in Norther Texas and south-central and eastern US. The effects are colic, diarrhea, dilated pupils, altered heartbeat, depression, or death.

•  Bracken Fern: this is found all over the world. the effects are neurological problems which is due to repeated consumption over a few weeks.

• Boxwood: which is very toxic to horses. it is found in Northern America and Western Canada. Effects are colic, there may be blood in their manure, or respiratory failure. 

• Buttercup: which is very well known. there flower is the toxic part. it is found all over the world. there may be some diarrhea and it may cause severe blindness.

• Castor Bean: it is found in most of Mexico and in central and southern US. Only a few beans can kill a horse, the seeds can cause colic, diarrhea, sweating, or their heart may be racing.

• Chokecherry: they are only poisonous when the leaves are wilted. They are found throughout North America except in some parts in southern in the US. the effects are death.

• Alsike Clover: Found all over the the US. the effects are photo sensitivity, chronic poisoning causes slobbers, depression, colic, or liver damage.

• Dogbane: is usually never eaten. It is found in the US. Effects can be staggering, bloat, convulsions, elevated pulse, but usually if they eat it they will die.

• Foxglove: which is very toxic but is rarely eaten. found in most of the US and Canada. horses may have colic, bloody manure, frequent urination, a loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or an irregular heartbeat.

• Horsetail: this is more toxic to horses than to other animals, this is found all over the world. It depletes vitamin B which degenerates peripheral nerves.

• Jimsonweed: if a horse eats this the poison acts very fast. this is found throughout the US. effects are depression, excessive thirst, diarrhea, convulsions, or respiratory paralysis.

• Red Maple: which is found in eastern US and in Canada. the horse may become weak, be depressed, dark urine, renal hepatic failure, abortion, and sometimes death. 

• St. John's Wort: found all over the US and all over Canada. There may be some photo sensitivity, fever increase in pulse, diarrhea, and sensitivity to cold water.