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Horse owners have numerous responsibilities when it comes to caring for their equines, from ensuring they have a nutritious diet to exercising them regularly to keep them in peak physical condition. But one lesser-discussed aspect of horse care is keeping your animal away from poisonous plants.
There is a surprisingly wide variety of common British plants which can be toxic to horses. It’s important for owners to be aware of them, as some of this vegetation can lead to serious health issues or even be fatal if ingested. Whether you’re cantering around the paddock or exploring the Great British countryside with your horse, the equine experts at Horse & Country have rounded up ten of the most common poisonous plants for horses and share everything you need to know to help you avoid them.
There are a large number of plants and trees common in the UK which are toxic to horses. Below are ten of the most commonly found poisonous plants and where you’ll find them, to help you keep your horse safe when turned out or out and about.
Season: Bluebells typically bloom in the spring, usually from late March to early May.
Appearance: These pretty plants are easily recognisable by their drooping, bell-shaped blue flowers that grow on one side of a sturdy, green stem.
Where they grow: Bluebells thrive in various areas, including in woodlands, along hedgerows, and shaded areas. They can often be found carpeting forest floors, so it’s important to be aware of these when going for a rural ride in springtime.
Season: Buttercups tend to last a long time, usually starting to bloom around April and sometimes lasting until October.
Appearance: Buttercups are small, bright yellow flowers with five glossy petals and they often grow in clusters.
Where they grow: You’ll commonly find buttercups growing in meadows, as well as in pastures and along roadsides. They are often found in gardens and at the edges of woodlands too. They prefer damp, well-drained soils.
Season: This classic spring flower usually starts blooming in February and tends to last until May.
Appearance: Daffodils have distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers. They are typically bright yellow in hue, although they can also be white or orange. They also have long, narrow leaves.
Where they grow: You’ll find daffodils all over in the UK, from gardens and parks to woodlands and meadows.
Season: Foxgloves are summer plants which tend to flower between June and September.
Appearance: Foxgloves have stems covered in long, bell-shaped purple-pink flowers. They are also tall flowers, growing up to two metres in height, so they may stand out more to your horse.
Where they grow: Foxgloves are a popular garden flower, but can also be found in woodlands and heathlands. They tend to thrive in shady or partially shady spaces.
Season: Horse chestnut trees tend to flower from late May or early June, and the conkers usually appear around September time. However, even the leaves, seeds, and twigs of horse chestnut trees are toxic to horses, so it’s important to be aware of these trees year-round.
Appearance: You can distinguish a horse chestnut tree by their striking clusters of white and pink flowers in summer and their green spiky conker shells. The leaves are large and usually 5, 6 or 7-toothed.
Where they grow: Horse chestnut trees are often found in parks, along streets, and also in large gardens. They prefer rich, well-drained soil.Season: Ivy leaves are evergreen so can be seen year-round, however the plant usually flowers between September and November, and fruits ripen between November and January.
Appearance: This plant has glossy, dark green leaves with pale veins, while the flowers are a green-yellow shade and grow in dome-shaped clusters.
Where they grow: Ivy grows in woodlands, gardens, and on buildings. It often climbs on trees, walls, and fences. It thrives in both sun and shade and in a variety of soils, so it is a very common plant in the UK.
Season: Lily of the valley has a short bloom time, flowering for just four weeks in May, although leaves usually appear from late March onwards.
Appearance: This plant has small, bell-shaped white flowers with a sweet fragrance. The flowers grow on a single stem surrounded by broad, lance-shaped leaves.
Where they grow: Lily of the valley are often found in gardens, but you can find them in the wild too. The plan prefers shaded, wooded areas and well-drained, moist soils.
Season: Oak trees are a staple of the British landscape year-round, however, they only produce acorns in the autumn, usually from September to November.
Appearance: These mighty trees are hard to miss. They are very large with shiny green leaves with four to six lobes (rounded edges) and produce acorns in the autumn.
Where they grow: Oak trees are widespread, commonly found in woodlands, parks, and hedgerows, as well as in large gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and can thrive in a variety of environments, so you’re likely to come across one when out on a ride.
Season: Ragwort usually blooms from mid-June and lasts until November.
Appearance: This colourful plant has tall green stems and is topped with clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. It has tough, dark green leaves.
Where they grow: Ragwort is often found in pastures and paddocks in the UK, so it’s important to keep a lookout for the plant as a horse owner. It is also found along roadsides and in waste areas. It thrives in open, sunny spots.
Season: Wisteria flowers from mid-spring to early summer, usually from around April to June.
Appearance: This picturesque climbing plant is made up of long, drooping clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers that create a cascading effect, with bright green leaves.
Where they grow: Wisteria is a popular choice for gardens due to its striking appearance, but can also be found in parks.
Recognising the symptoms of plant poisoning in your horse early can be crucial in providing them with timely treatment. Signs to watch for include:
Horses are curious in nature which comes with many positives. However, it can be bad news when it comes to certain plants. A lot of common vegetation found in the UK is toxic to horses, from weeds like ragwort to flowers like foxgloves. It’s important to be aware of the potential dangerous plants your horse may come across while riding or in your paddock, as well as the side effects of ingesting them.
If you suspect your horse has ingested a toxic plant, you should contact your vet immediately. You should also remove the horse from the contaminated area, whether this is on a ride or in your paddock, and provide as much support as you can until the vet arrives. As with many horse illnesses, prevention is key when it comes to toxic plants, so ensure your pastures and paddocks are free from harmful vegetation and regularly check for new growth.
Katie Allen-Clarke from Horse & Country
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