Campaigners have welcomed the Government’s return to enforcing the law on ragwort, by reopening its complaints procedure from April.

The Countryside Alliance was among those that raised concerns about the fact Natural England had stopped accepting complaints about ragwort, in September. Natural England is the Government body responsible for enforcing the Weeds Act, under which owners of land at risk of spread of injurious weeds including ragwort can insist on its being controlled – but only after Natural England takes action.

Alliance member Christopher Jenkin, a farmer in Wiltshire, raised the alarm when he was affected by ragwort spreading from a neighbouring field.

South Cotswolds PM Roz Savage submitted a written parliamentary question asking what action was being taken and the Government responded: “Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure while NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.”

But Mr Jenkin pointed out that Natural England already had an “off season” for complaints, from October to March, and “it seems difficult to explain why any review of its approach could not have been conducted in that period”.

A Countryside Alliance spokesperson said: “Since then, the alliance has been pushing Defra and Natural England to commit to re-opening its complaints procedure and cease to abdicate its responsibilities in this area.

“While the ‘off season’ remains, the government website has now been updated, and complaints will once again be accepted between 1 April and 30 October 2026. Natural England will aim to respond to valid complaint forms within 10 working days.”

The spokesperson said the alliance will continue to monitor the situation. Director of public affairs James Legge added: “We were deeply concerned at the sudden suspension of the complaints process in September and took action to ensure it was eventually re-opened, providing much needed clarity to farmers and landowners”.

Updated information on the injurious weeds complaints process has been published on the Government website.

“Accessible guidance for complainants and land managers will be made available in advance of April,” a Defra spokesperson told H&H. “Where appropriate action cannot be agreed voluntarily and complaints have been accepted by Natural England, we consider action in line with our enforcement position.”

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Are acorns poisonous to horses? The short answer is yes, and you might have noticed more acorns on the ground than usual right now.

If you have, then it’s not just you. There are definitely more acorns – on trees and on the ground – this autumn, which is a cause for concern among horse owners. Acorns contain tannins that, when ingested by horses, produce toxins. These toxins can be poisonous, and lead to problems with the horse’s gut, liver and kidneys.

While some owners may have not experienced an issue with their horses eating acorns to date, every individual will have a difference tolerance level and exercising caution around horses’ access to acorns is strongly advised.

So, why so many acorns? It’s all because 2025 is proving to be a mast year for trees. If you’re not familiar with this term, read on for the lowdown, and the implications for horses.

What is a mast year?

According to the Woodland Trust, some species of trees and shrubs produce a bumper crop of their fruits or nuts every few years. The collective term for these fruits and nuts is “mast”, so it is referred to as a mast year.

But why do mast years occur? To produce a healthy crop, trees need the right combination of temperature and rainfall in the spring. Phenology – the study of the timing of natural events in relation to the weather – can help us better understand this.

Ecologist and senior lecturer at Liverpool University Dr Andrew Hacket Pain has used records from the Woodland Trust’s citizen science phenology project, Nature’s Calendar, to research masting.

“Oaks produce a similar number of flowers each spring, so the size of autumn’s acorn crop depends on how many of these flowers are able to mature into ripe acorns,” Dr Hacket Pain explains. “It’s clear that spring weather conditions are important. When spring is warm and dry, pollination of oak flowers is very effective, and this results in a large crop of acorns.”

Mast years are important in the bust and boom of small mammal populations. When the trees produce smaller crops for a few consecutive years, they are in effect keeping the populations of these animals in check. But during a mast year, the trees produce more food than the animals can possibly eat. This abundance leads to a boom in the populations of small mammals, such as mice. More importantly, it guarantees some nuts will be left over to survive and grow into new trees.

Are acorns more poisonous to horses in a mast year?

While it’s not clear acorns are any more toxic in a mast year, an obvious concern is the increased volume of acorns. After a period of high wind, you might notice a thick carpet of acorns underneath oak trees, which could be a problem if oaks line or sit inside your field boundary.

According to Pool House Equine Hospital, although acorns are naturally bitter-tasting, some horses can develop a liking for them. The vet clinic also reports a recent spike in veterinary cases linked to horses ingesting acorns.

Clinical signs of acorn poisoning in horses

The toxins produced by the ingested acorn tannins can cause damage to the gut, which can manifest as diarrhoea, which may contain blood, as well as signs of colic, lethargy, fever or a loss of appetite. If your horse is showing any of these signs, they will require urgent veterinary assistance so don’t delay in calling your vet.

Protecting against acorn poisoning in horses

You may notice acorn husks in your horse’s droppings before any clinical signs occur. However, if you think your horse might have access to acorns, don’t wait for evidence of ingesting or poisoning before you act.

You can protect your horse from eating acorns by…

• Identifying any oak trees in the vicinity of your horse’s turnout, so you know where hotspots might be
• If you poo pick, check these hotspots and collect acorns on your daily rounds
• Raking up fallen acorns, taking special care to check common drop zones after high winds. If you don’t have a rake, you could use a nut gatherer (like this one on Amazon)
• Temporarily fencing off parts of your paddock where fallen acorns are dense
• Extending your horse’s grazing (where autumn laminitis is low risk) or supplementing with forage to remove the temptation to feast on acorns

As always, if you are concerned about your horse’s appearing unwell, then seek urgent advice from your vet.

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The owner of a “horse of a lifetime” who was moments from being put down owing to an illness likely caused by a toxic plant is sharing her story in hopes of raising awareness and saving other horses.

Lisa Lane’s Irish Draught mare Hazel was first thought to be suffering from grass sickness or colic when she became very ill weeks after her first foal was born in autumn 2023. She underwent gastric surgery, during which failure of normal motility was diagnosed.

Then Lisa found out about eastern black nightshade, a plant that is poisonous to humans and animals – and found it growing in Hazel’s field.

“I’d had a call saying I needed to go and say goodbye to her,” Lisa told H&H. She had the surgery on Monday, then by Tuesday lunchtime, I’d found the plants. I said to the vets, ‘I think it might be this.’” Within hours, she was looking better – and she lived.”

Hazel’s foal had to be taken away and put with a foster mare, but he is now weaned and living with his mother, who is as good as new.

“The poison paralyses the digestive system, hence it looks like colic or grass sickness,” Lisa said. “My vets were brilliant, but none of them had heard of this plant.

“When Hazel was in hospital, they were taking huge amounts of liquid out of her stomach every hour, as her stomach would have burst otherwise. The vets said if it was that plant, there were drugs they could try – and by the next morning, the scans showed there was no liquid to take out. I was sobbing my heart out, saying, ‘It’s worked, it’s worked.’”

Lisa added that she has been scouring her fields for eastern black nightshade ever since. It grows between May and October, and last summer she started experiencing numbness in her right hand and heart palpitations. A scan showed her heart was normal.

“A week later, I realised it must be from the plant,” she said. “I stopped picking it with my bare hands and I was fine.

“I need to get the word out. I adore that mare, she’s one of the family and would have died if we hadn’t found out about this plant, but no one knows about it. I dread to think how many horses get put to sleep because people don’t know about this plant, its effects and that neostigmine treatment can reverse the poison. If sharing what happens saves one other horse, it’s all worth it.”

Lisa’s vet Sam Cutts told H&H she had been unaware of eastern black nightshade before Hazel’s case.

“It appears to be more palatable than you would hope; if your horse starts showing this type of symptoms, look in your field,” she said. “With deadly nightshade, you get the typical very dilated pupils, which would make you suspect poisoning, but Hazel didn’t have that – she presented with what looked like colic, but in surgery they found no torsion or anything.

“For the gut to stop moving, grass sickness is high on the list of possibles, but those tests were negative and at that point, you’re prepared to consider the unlikely, as there’s nothing very likely left – so let’s try the antidote and see what happens.

“I was delighted by the outcome. Everyone worked together to have the best outcome for the mare.”

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The small yellow flowers are a common feature in many equine pastures, but are buttercups among the list of plants that are poisonous to horses? A spokesperson from the British Horse Society (BHS) explains the dangers and how owners can control them.

Toxicity

There are a variety of buttercups including Meadow, Creeping and Bulbous, which thrive on poor quality land, old meadows and grassland. Each variety is poisonous to varying degrees in its fresh state. However, due to its bitter taste, most horses will avoid eating buttercups and instead attempt to graze the grass around the plant.

Be aware that horses or ponies on overgrazed or restricted grazing may revert to consuming buttercups in place of no other forage being provided. If eaten in large quantities, toxicity can result in excessive salivation, diarrhoea or colic.

The toxin contained by buttercups can be an irritant to sensitive skin including the lips, muzzles and lower limbs. The toxin reaches its peak during the flowering period with the irritating effects further exacerbated in wet weather making showers a riskier period.

In its dried form, buttercups lose their bitterness and toxicity so pose no risk once wilted and included in hay.

Control

There are two main areas to focus on for controlling buttercups; the type of buttercup; and the timing of applying the herbicide. The timing and number of applications required will be influenced by the species involved. Harrowing can be effective at reducing creeping buttercups and small patches can be successfully dug out.

The Bulbous buttercup has a more complex root structure which contains a number of bulbils (like little balls) stacked one on top of another and this makes control more difficult as the applied herbicide may not move completely into each of the bulbils. Any that do not receive sufficient herbicide have the potential to re-grow.

The timing of the herbicide application is imperative. Herbicides must be applied as soon as active growth commences in the spring, but before the buttercups flower. The weeds must be dry when sprayed, and because the chemical can take some time to get safely inside the plant, ensure that no rain is forecast for 12 hours after application. It is also essential to avoid herbicide application during periods of frost. Applying the herbicide once flowering has commenced means that any herbicide application is likely to be unsuccessful.

Should the pre-flowering timing be missed, or if any buttercups survive the first herbicide application, September is another opportunity to target those plants. For all applications horses must be removed from the pasture before applying the herbicide and remain off the pasture for at least two weeks after the treatment. There are a number of herbicides currently available on the market for the use on buttercups with varying active ingredients. Some herbicides do require a licence for purchase and application so always seek expert advice from a qualified contractor and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Management

Improving grass management and preventing overgrazing of pastures will be beneficial to increasing the grass sward and decrease the opportunity for buttercups to grow. Further information on pasture management is available from the BHS website.

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Many horse owners are worried about how to get sycamore seeds from their paddocks. Sycamore poisoning, or atypical myopathy, caused by the ingestion of sycamore seedlings or seeds can be fatal to horses, and while owners need to be on the lookout for any signs all year round, the disease is more common in the spring and autumn months.

Follow our guide to help ensure your paddocks are kept as low-risk as possible…

What is atypical myopathy?

Atypical myopathy is a often fatal muscle disease, thought to be caused by the ingestion of hypoglycin A, a toxin contained in sycamore seeds and seedlings.

Vets have recently reminded horse owners to take action to minimise the risks of atypical myopathy as spring is a common time for horses to suffer the potentially fatal condition, as sycamore seedlings start to emerge from the ground.

Young horses appear to be more susceptible, as are those being grazed on parched land.

What shall I do if I spot seeds or seedlings?

Getting rid of both the seeds and any fresh sycamore seedlings (depending on the time of year) is vital. If spotted in an area where horses are grazing, it is advised to remove the horses from the pasture immediately, by bringing them in or fencing off the infected area.

The seeds can carry some distance on the wind, so do not assume that if you don’t have sycamore trees in your horse’s field, your horses at not at risk.

If you are struggling to identify sycamore seeds, get in touch with an expert, such as a tree surgeon or someone from a local garden centre, who can help you confirm which tree the seed in question has come from.

It is possible to test seeds or seedlings to identify their levels of the hypoglcyin A toxin through the Royal Veterinary College.

How to get rid of sycamore seeds

Once you have identified you have sycamore trees in your local area, one of the of the most effective (certainly cost-wise) methods of removing the seeds is to hoover them up from the ground — usually by hand.

While time consuming, this is the only way you can guarantee the seeds have been effectively removed from the area. For a more long-term solution, employing someone to come and remove any sycamore trees on your own land is an option as long as the tree is not subject to a protection order.

Mowing areas of pasture is one way to trim the young seedlings, but the cuttings will need to be collected and this will not prevent them from growing again.

Using a certified weed killer (which is known to kill sycamores) can also get rid of the sycamore seedlings, but is less convenient for many due to the rest period the pasture will need following being sprayed. It is advised that you speak to a professional herbicide expert prior to purchasing a weed killer solution.

An example of a weed controller suitable for equestrians is Envy from Dow AgroScience — as with any chemical, it is vital to follow the resting and usage instructions.

What else can I do to protect my horse?

The Blue Cross education team has worked with veterinary experts at Bourton Vale Equine Clinic to provide the following advice to help horse owners prevent atypical myopathy:

• Feed forage, such as hay in parched fields, off of floor in haynets or feed racks
• Do not over stock fields so horses have access to good grass
• Limit turnout, ideally keeping horses in over night
• Section off areas around poisonous trees and collect and dispose of leaves and seeds safely away from horses
• Remove young sapling plants
• Be vigilant of the potential signs of this disease and act quickly if your horse becomes poorly
• Ensure you check your horse multiple times a day
• Check your insurance cover for veterinary care is up to date

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A Welsh section A stallion who nearly died from blackthorn poisoning was pulled forward to take reserve supreme in the Price Family in-hand supreme qualifier at NPS XI’s Heart of England Show (23 May). 

Caroline Crouchman’s four-year-old Idyllic Perseus (Percy), who is out of the prolific in-hand mare and former Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in-hand finalist Idyllic Perdita, was foot-perfect throughout the day to lift both Welsh section A and B and small breeds accolades before just missing out on the coveted ticket. 

The Crochmans, who have shown Welsh ponies for many years, have owned Percy since he was a foal. 

“Every year Liz and Mark Kilbey of the Idyllic stud always let us travel to them and see the new foals,” said Caroline. “I’d initially gone to see another pony, but Mark told me to come and have a look at this other foal, and there was Percy standing with Perdita. He was so upstanding I just had to buy him. When we first got him home he thought he was supremo, but we managed to get a handle on him and he had successful seasons in hand as both a yearling and a two-year-old. I’ve always thought a lot of him; he’s the most stunning boy.”

Percy’s tally as a youngster included winning the Spillers mountain and moorland (M&M) in-hand final at Equifest two years on the trot. But when Percy was two, Caroline nearly lost her treasured pony.

“I was at work and asked my daughter to go and check on the colts who had been turned out in a new field,” she explained.

“Initially, we thought he’d broken his leg and were prepared for the worst. We had him at Newmarket within 15 minutes of taking him out of the field, and after the X-ray we we were told both good and bad news; it wasn’t a break, but he’d been pricked with a blackthorn, which was equally serious, but gave us more chance of saving him.

“The vets managed to get the thorn out, and once the poison had gone from his system, in true native spirit, he made a full recovery.

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“It was a complete freak thing. The blackthorns had been in the very long grass. In hindsight I wish I’d checked but we’d never had any issues before. When we found him the field it was a mad rush to unload the lorry which was filled with lots of heavy furniture we’d moved from a shed.

“The procedure was expensive, but we were just so relieved we could save him. I do remember at the time saying ‘right boy, you owe us big time now’.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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An equine hospital has confirmed a “significant” number of horse deaths at a livery yard is an isolated incident, caused by a suspected contaminated food source.

A number of horses at Clough House livery yard in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, became ill last week and have since been put down.

In a statement yesterday (20 October) Hird and Partners Shelf Equine Hospital said the hospital had been involved in treating horses from Clough House since 13 October, since then a “significant” number of horses had been lost.

“Early indications are that this is a poisoning due to an unidentified toxin. There is no indication of infectious disease,” the statement reads.

“The problem is an isolated incident on one yard. The source of the toxin is believed to be a contaminated food source that has now been removed and does not pose a risk to other animals or people.

“This has been a very distressing time for the horse owners and the equine hospital staff involved and we very much appreciate all the support we have received from the wider veterinary community around the world.”

The statement said the hospital will not be commenting further at this stage and is focusing all its efforts on providing intensive care for the remaining horses admitted to the hospital.

A Clough House livery told H&H she lost her mare in the early hours of Sunday morning (18 October).

“It’s very raw. She was my horse of a lifetime,” she said.

“We’re not pointing the finger, it’s a tragic accident. The vets have been absolutely brilliant, I cannot fault them. They have done their utmost to try to fight it.”

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Clough House yard manager Corey Taylor told H&H the yard had been working closely with Hird & Partners and further tests are being carried out.

“I can’t stress enough how amazing our vets have been and how brilliant our clients have been,” he said.

“We are absolutely devastated for everybody involved, our hearts go out to the team at Shelf and to our clients who have lost their beloved horses very tragically.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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While many plants can be poisonous to horses if eaten to excess, there are some poisonous plants for horses that should be avoided at all costs.

In the UK, the most common form of poisoning is caused by the ingestion of ragwort over a period of time, but there are other plants which can cause severe problems — including death — if horses consume them.

Poisoning can take many forms in a horse, from ill thrift and photosensitisation to disease or disruption of the function of key body systems. There are seven different broad types of poison — alkaloids (as found in ragwort, yew, hemlock), glycosides, nitrates, photosensitisers, saponins and complex proteins. Within each category are many different active compounds.

Horses are most likely to consume poisonous plants if they have nothing else to eat as a result of a combination of poor grazing with a heavy infestation of such plants, or due to their undetected presence in hay or haylage.

Here is our guide to the fatal flora you need to know about to avoid a very sad and avoidable untimely end for your equine partner.

Poisonous plants for horses

1. Ragwort

Instantly recognisable from its frilly leaves and star-shaped yellow flowers, the deadly ragwort plant is common in British meadows. Once eaten, it attacks the horse’s liver. Horses will normally avoid eating ragwort because of the bitter taste, but it is palatable when dried and fed in hay. Under DEFRA regulations, landowners can be penalised for allowing ragwort to spread to grazing land, but horse owners should always remain vigilant and frequently check their hay.

Signs to look out for: One early sign of ragwort poisoning is weight loss, despite the horse eating normally. If detected in time, the effects can be treated with steroids; if not, the horse may go blind and eventually collapse.

What to do: Check your horse’s paddock regularly for ragwort, and dig it up at the roots and burn it when found. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling the plant. Use a reputable and trusted hay supplier.

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2. Sycamore

Historically, sycamores were not thought to be harmful to equines, but recently the often-fatal muscle condition Atypical Myopathy (AM) has become much more common in Britain. Triggered by the ingestion of sycamore seeds (also known as helicopter seeds), leaves and seedlings, AM is a fast killer with a mortality rate of between 75 and 90%. There’s no specific treatment for the condition, with affected horses given intensive veterinary care and IV fluids.

Signs to look out for: Lethargy, sweating, muscular stiffness, high heart rate, dark urine and difficulty standing. Affected horses are often found lying down.

What to do: The condition is more common in autumn, when the seeds and leaves are blown from the trees. Remove them along with any sycamore seedlings that appear in spring. Fence off sycamore trees from paddocks and ensure horses have access to sufficient supplementary feed to minimise the risk of foraging for alternative foods.

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3. Oak trees including acorns

Although some wild animals depend on acorns for their nutritional needs, the horse is not one of them. The tannic and gallic acids in acorns can cause severe damage to the equine gastrointestinal system and kidneys. It’s not just the acorns either – all parts of the oak are toxic to horses. Strangely, there’s anecdotal evidence that some horses get ‘addicted’ to acorns and will over-indulge in them to the point of making themselves ill.

Signs to look out for: Constipation, weight loss, colic, blood in the urine and fluid accumulation in the legs (edema) may indicate oak poisoning, but specific diagnosis can be difficult unless your horse has a history of consuming acorns.

What to do: Avoid grazing your horse in fields containing oak trees, or fence off the trees, particularly during autumn when the acorns fall. Activated charcoal (which absorbs toxins from the gut and allows them to be harmlessly excreted) is known to be an effective treatment if given immediately after ingestion; however, always seek the advice of your vet first.

4. Yew

The leaves, twigs and bark of the Yew tree are all toxic to horses and the lethal dose can be extremely small. The plant’s toxic alkaloids (taxine A and B) are extremely fast acting and horses have been found dead with the leaves of the tree still in their mouths. It is one of the most common causes of equine poisoning in France and Belgium. Luckily the bitter taste of the plant will put most horses off having a chew, but it’s not a plant to take risks with.

Signs to look out for: The horse dies from cardiac arrest. Prior to this muscle trembling, a lack of co-ordination, breathing difficulties, a slow heart rate and convulsions may be seen.

What to do: There is no treatment. Never graze horses in a field where they will have access to yew or where there is a risk that yew clippings might be tossed into their paddock. If neighbours have yew in their gardens, speak to them to explain the dangers.

5. Bracken

Found on moors and in meadows, horses will usually avoid eating bracken ferns unless grazing is particularly poor – although some do develop a taste for it. The good news is that it’s only harmful if digested in large quantities, such as ongoing consumption over a couple of months.

Signs to look out for: Bracken poisoning results in neurological (nervous system) symptoms that may include nervousness, circling, staggering, muscle spasms, blindness and convulsions. It can be treated with thiamine supplementation prescribed by a vet if caught early enough.

What to do: Horses usually avoid bracken, but if concerned, remove it from your horse’s field. Maintain good pasture management, regularly removing weeds to allow grass to grow, so your horse has no reason to consume it.

Other plants that are poisonous to horses include:

• Foxglove
• Deadly nightshade
• Buttercups
• Privet
• Rhododendron
• St John’s Wort
• Potatoes
• Meadow Saffron
• Horsetails/ Mare’s Tails
• Water Dropwort
• Hemlock

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The heartbroken owner of a pony who was put down after after eating woodchip from a poisonous tree has urged others to be aware when buying wood products.

Tracey Wingert’s daughters’ ponies, Jim a 11.1hh part-bred welsh, and Dram a part-bred hackney, became ill shortly after eating woodchip that had been put down on their outdoor paddock on the morning of 15 January.

“We let the ponies out after their breakfast and they were very excited; rolling and digging the woodchip. I returned at midday to muck out and Jim didn’t seem himself; he was standing with his head down looking really sorry for himself. He went down on the floor and when I got him back up he was kicking his belly and swishing his tail,” Tracey told H&H.

“Jim can be a greedy little Welsh and I think he must have had a good munch on the wood chip – I thought he’d come down with colic. I phoned the vet and they said to keep him walking until they arrived. He kept going down and I’d get him back up but then I saw Dram began showing symptoms of being uncomfortable too. I thought you don’t get two ponies showing the same symptoms, what’s going on?”

Tracey’s husband Lee contacted the company which supplied the woodchip and was told it came from the false acacia tree.

“I looked the tree up online and found it was poisonous to horses. The vet arrived and said he had only seen that type of poisoning in cattle before and hadn’t heard of it in horses,” said Tracey.

“Jim’s temperature and heart rate were low but he didn’t have gut sounds which the vet said was concerning. The vet gave both Jim and Dram an injection and Jim was given fluids and liquid paraffin and seemed to pick up.”

Tracey spent the rest of the day checking the ponies but Jim’s condition deteriorated by late in the evening.

“My youngest daughter Lily, 12, went outside to say goodnight to Jim before she went to bed and she phoned inside to say Jim was breathing funny — he was heaving,” she said. “I phoned the vet who asked me to send a video, she thought he was possibly just uncomfortable again and to give him some bute and see how he was.

“I stayed with Jim until 12.30am when I went inside for 10 minutes while my husband stayed with him and in that time Jim went down. We called the vet who arrived 45 minutes later. The vet was happy it wasn’t colic but did a rectal examination and put a tube down his nose, these were fine and the vet said she was baffled.”

The vet said Jim should be admitted to the equine hospital more than an hour and a half away but he was too unwell to travel.

“My initial reaction was I didn’t think he would make the journey and so it was agreed to fit a cannula and put a tube down his nose and give fluids to try and make him strong enough to travel later. It took the vet 25 minutes to get the cannula in because his blood pressure was so low and everything was shutting down, it was horrendous,” said Tracey.

Jim deteriorated and began to show signs of kidney failure and it was agreed to put him down at 3am.

“The vet listened to his heart and I could see it in her face. My husband and two eldest daughters were there but Lily was in bed. The vet said there wasn’t anything else we could do and he was put to sleep,” said Tracey.

Are buttercups poisonous to horses? We ask the experts…

5 common plants that could kill your horse

While many plants can be poisonous if eaten to excess, there are some poisonous plants that horses should avoid at

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“The next morning Lily got up for school and came running into our bedroom and said she was going to go and check on Jim and I had to ask her to come and sit on the bed to tell her but she already knew. It was heartbreaking – it absolutely destroyed her. She would spend every day with Jim – he was pampered into an inch of his life. He was the most loving pony, every morning he was the first to put his nose over the stable door. ”

Tracey said she wants others to be aware of false acacia poisoning.

“If you’re buying woodchip, check with the company what tree it is,” said Tracey. “It presented as colic symptoms so how many people could have lost horses and ponies because it was thought it was colic and not known it’s poisoning? If Dram hadn’t started showing signs too I would have thought it was just colic. Lily said to me she doesn’t want anyone else’s pony to go through this.”

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Are there more dangers lurking in pasture and hay than we realise? Peter Green MRCVS reviews the latest in veterinary research

Ragwort is widely recognised as a serious threat to horses, yet it is not the only danger in pasture and hay.

A recent article by two Italian scientists took another look at the plants that have been proven to cause poisoning in horses across Europe. There are some surprises to those of us who worry about ragwort and little else.

In France and Belgium, for instance, it is not ragwort but yew (Taxus baccata) that poisons most horses. The leaves, twigs and bark are all toxic, and for a pony, the lethal dose may be as little as 200g.

Yew is also common in the UK and we are all aware that it is poisonous, but yew poisoning seems either rarely to occur or is perhaps not often recognised.

In France, the second most widely reported plant poison for horses is the white cedar tree (Thuja occidentalis), a common ornamental tree in the UK and often confused with the ubiquitous Lawson’s cypress which it resembles. It seems that in France there are confirmed cases of horses poisoned when white cedar trees are blown down in storms, or when horses have access to cut branches or prunings.

Another non-native but very widespread poisonous tree is the black locust or false acacia tree (Robinia pseudoacacia), which, the Italian scientists point out, is more poisonous to horses than to other grazing animals and for some reason seems even more dangerous to ponies than to larger equines. We have many of these trees in the UK.

The real surprise in the list of villains lurking in the grass was the inclusion of hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum officinale) on the most poisonous plant danger list. This common meadow plant is very widespread across Europe, including the UK, and most amateur botanists or country folk would recognise it.

Evidently, it contains the same sort of poisonous chemicals as ragwort and, like ragwort, it is a particular problem when it becomes tasteless in hay.

Those ancient permanent pastures, resplendent with wild flowers, herbs and all sorts may not, after all, be the best meadows from which to harvest your hay.

Ref: 23 April 2015

Many horses are pastured in paddocks with oak trees, but cases of acorn poisoning are only anecdotally reported.

Vets in the UK recently published a report on nine cases of severe disease in horses that seem to have been definite cases of acorn poisoning. The horses were very ill, with signs of colic, and all either had diarrhoea when first seen or developed it soon afterwards.

All horses had evidence of acorns in their dung or in their gut at postmortem. All cases occurred in October or November.

Only three of the horses — those with diarrhoea that was slower in onset or milder in severity — survived. The others either died or were put down on humane grounds. All had severe inflammation of the large intestine.

Postmortem examinations produced similar results to confirmed cases of acorn poisoning in cattle, which causes severe bloody diarrhoea and can be fatal.

With this evidence on the table it is certain that acorn poisoning is a potential threat to greedy horses grazing under oak trees in the autumn, especially on sparse pasture. Owners should be aware of this risk.

Every autumn a number of free-living ponies in the New Forest die and this is put down to acorn poisoning. On Exmoor, where there are very few oak trees, there are no reported autumn deaths.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 12 February 2015

Owners are being urged to share information on the impact of ragwort on their horses as part of a major new research project launched this week (21 July) by the British Horse Society (BHS).

The new survey, which is being supported by Defra, aims to assess the current levels of awareness and concern about the highly poisonous weed that causes extensive liver damage and, in some cases, death.

Lee Hackett from the BHS said: “We know that ragwort is an issue that greatly concerns our members, and indeed all responsible owners, so we are delighted to be working with Defra on this research project.

“Ragwort kills horses every year and there is absolutely no excuse for this — such deaths are completely avoidable. We need everyone who cares about horses to complete our survey so that we can better understand the extent of the problem.The results will also help inform legislation and other measures surrounding ragwort.”

H&H reader Dawn Pattenson, whose horse was put down from liver poisoning after being allowed to graze on the weed while on loan, has welcomed this step.

“It is an absolutely devastating experience to witness a horse poisoned by ragwort,” she told H&H. “I hope with more information it might be possible to bring in stricter regulations on controlling ragwort and harsher punishments for people who allow horses to eat it.”

The online survey is open until 15 August. To complete the survey, visit www.bhs.org.uk/ragwort

First published in Horse & Hound magazine on 24 July 2014

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It’s rare for horses to eat toxic vegetation, but the ingestion of certain plants, seeds and leaves can prove potentially catastrophic for horse health. Keith Chandler MRCVS explains

While ragwort has long been regarded as an equine enemy, the fruit and seeds of some common British trees, such as the sycamore, have recently reminded us of their deadly potential as a poisonous plant for horses.

In general, horses will avoid plants that are likely to cause illness. But if hungry or on bare pastures, they are more likely to eat harmful vegetation.

Plants that have toxic effects fall into 2 groups — those that cause minor irritation or illness, which is easily treatable, and those that can bring about serious illness or fatality.

It isn’t always easy to pinpoint the cause of the toxicity, so we have to treat the horse for the clinical disease he is showing. This is partly because the toxins are often rapidly metabolised and are no longer detectable. In other cases, the disease can occur long after exposure occurred.

What’s your poison?

Common dangers include:

Yew. Often found in ornamental gardens or churchyards, yew trees are renowned for living for many hundreds of years. The leaves and bark are highly poisonous to animals, even when wilted or dried up. Horses appear to be most sensitive to their toxic effects.

Because these effects are so rapid, there are sometimes no signs of disease other than sudden death. Affected horses develop a high heart rate, however, along with muscle tremors and convulsions, before collapsing with heart failure.

Care should be taken when horses are grazed adjacent to old churchyards if yew is present. If in any doubt, fence off a gap between the churchyard wall and the pasture in order to prevent accidental ingestion.

Bog Asphodel and St John’s Wort. These plants can be found growing wild in many pastures and cause a skin disease called photosensitisation if ingested. This results in what can look like severe sunburn on the white areas of the face and occasionally on the limbs and body.

The skin becomes very sore, inflamed and scabby, can ooze serum and even start to bleed. Affected areas, particularly those on the limbs, can become swollen.

Because photosensitisation can also be caused by liver disease, a liver screen is often recommended to rule this out.

Photosensitisation is usually treated successfully with a combination of oral and topical corticosteroids.

The horse should be removed from the offending grazing and direct sunlight until the condition settles.

Buttercups. Horses will eat buttercups, despite their bitter taste, particularly if there is little else on the pasture. Buttercups contain a powerful irritant that can cause mouth ulcers and increased salivation. The ulcers are usually found just inside the lips or along the rim of the tongue.

While a horse might resent examination, particularly if his mouth is sore, the ulcers are usually easy to spot and heal quickly. Treatment is not necessary, other than to remove the horse from the pasture for a short while.

Acorns. Last year was a so-called “mast year”, when woodland trees such as the oak produced a bumper crop of fruit. Although climatic conditions are often blamed, it is not fully understood why these random mast years happen. Press reports highlighted the increase in the number of acorns on the ground and the multiple deaths of feral New Forest ponies.

Acorns are highly toxic to horses. Once ingested, they can cause colic, diarrhoea and even kidney failure.

These types of poisonings can occur as outbreaks, affecting many numbers of horses grazing the same pasture. A post-mortem examination of a fatality is often the best way of confirming a diagnosis. However, the time of year, access to oak trees and the symptoms — particularly if there are partly digested acorns in the dung — provide a strong suspicion of the cause.

Ragwort. This well-known toxic plant can cause fatal liver disease, although a one-off exposure to a small amount is unlikely to have any significant effect.

Being able to define the exact cause of liver disease is a veterinary challenge. Even on post-mortem examination, pathologists are often at a loss to explain exactly why liver failure occurred.

What we do know is that horses have to eat substantial quantities of ragwort to become ill and are most likely to do this by ingesting small amounts in forage over time. While the toxin within ragwort does not build up in the body, its effect is cumulative and the liver fails in its normal capacity to heal itself.

The safest route is not to allow your horse any exposure to ragwort. The plant is also poisonous to humans and its toxin can be absorbed through the skin, so wear gloves when pulling it from the ground.

Sycamore. The Equine Veterinary Journal has recently published work on toxins found in Acer trees, which include sycamores. This is now recognised as the likely cause of atypical myopathy (AM) — a serious and often fatal disease.

The toxin, hypoglycin A, is not always present in every seed, or in seeds from every tree. This makes it difficult to predict whether a particular horse will become ill when exposed.

AM usually affects young horses and those in poorer body condition, causing widespread muscle destruction and pain that leads to collapse and kidney failure in many cases.

Managing affected horses can be very challenging. We only expect around a quarter to survive, even with intensive treatment and the best veterinary care.

Preventative measures include fencing off areas where sycamore seeds fall and providing hard feed and hay when pasture is bare. Always avoid feeding hay from the ground near sycamores and reduce access to affected pasture when grazing is poor or during the critical autumn and spring.

Emergency treatment

Horses, unlike humans, cannot vomit. When we know that a horse has very recently eaten a toxic substance, we use a combination of intestinal adsorbents and lavage — removal of the stomach contents with copious amounts of water and a stomach tube.

Intestinal adsorbents such as psyllium husks or activated charcoal can help prevent the body digest and absorb the toxins.

Once the toxic effects start to cause some signs of disease, we work hard to stabilise the horse with a combination of symptomatic therapy (to relieve the signs) and treatment for the toxic effects, where possible. Many horses need to be hospitalised for the best chance of recovery, so they can receive intravenous fluids through a drip and regular monitoring the night.

‘His field was surrounded by sycamore trees’

When Matt Legg found his 21-year-old gelding Freckles in distress, he suspected colic.

“Freckles was nodding his head violently, whinnying and was very uncomfortable” said Matt, joint-head veterinary nurse at Bell Equine.

“He was dull and depressed, and reluctant to move. As he was out in the field we couldn’t tell if he had passed faeces, but he was eating well.

“A colic examination didn’t reveal much, so the vet took some bloods. Freckles perked up a little after intravenous painkillers.”

Blood test results rapidly revealed that Freckles’ muscle enzymes were “through the roof”, indicating atypical myopathy (AM).

“He also had an increased heart rate and a murmur, so he came into the hospital for fluid therapy,” added Matt. “After two days he was back to normal and has suffered no long-lasting effects.

“His field was surrounded by sycamore trees, but we have since moved him elsewhere. A lot of horses don’t recover from AM — intensive care helped Freckles survive.”

What’s the risk

While there are no definitive figures on the numbers of plant poisonings in horses per year, it is evident that this remains a surprisingly unusual occurrence.

It cannot be overstated that horses are at more risk from the chronic overconsumption of grass, or the rapid ingestion of grain, than the occasional exposure to a noxious plant.

Horse owners are being warned to be extremely vigilant about acorns following an unusual spike number of deaths in the New Forest area.

The tannins found in acorns, oak leaves and branches are poisonous to horses, causing gastroenteritis, bleeding in the gut and kidney failure.

Already this autumn 31 ponies roaming on the New Forest have died, along with 12 cattle. Usually only 6 animals would be lost each autumn — but this is a “mast” year, when some tree species such as oaks and apple trees produce an abundance of fruit.

Hannah Edgson from Seadown equine vets near Southampton has euthanased 2 or 3 ponies each week since acorns started falling.

“It’s worse than most people can remember,” she said. “No acorn is safe — so take them seriously and don’t take any risks. One local riding school has lost 2 horses and we are nursing another 6 or 7 of the other horses through.”

The Verderers of the New Forest turn out pigs for 60 days every autumn to eat the acorns. This year the Forestry Commission has allowed to the pigs to stay out an extra 6 weeks, until 15 December, to cope with the quantities of acorns.

Acorn poisoning is most often fatal and there is no treatment. Vets can offer only charcoal feeds, Epsom salts and liquid paraffin to move things through the gut, while supporting the horse with fluids and electrolytes.

Maggie Drodge from East Boldre, Hants, lost her 18-year-old cob Bob on 1 November, the day after the heavy storms in the south-east, when a huge number of acorns and leaves were blown into his field.

“Every single year I fence off the oak trees, pick up all the acorns and check the fields religiously,” she said.

“I checked them the day before he died, but the storm blew a lot of leaves into his field which he is very partial to. I found him down, with blue gums and very lethargic. It makes me so angry that I am so careful with acorns and I still lost him.”

Signs of acorn poisoning include colic, depression, loss of appetite and early constipation followed by bloody diarrhoea.

“The earliest sign is a quiet horse,” said Miss Edgson. “Normally a horse owner will monitor that horse for 24hr, but it will be too late — if you have any doubts call the vet immediately.

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Horse owners are once again being urged to keep an eye on acorns this autumn after a horse in Berkshire died from acorn poisoning.

Earlier this month H&H warned horse owners to be aware of the dangers after recent weather patterns created a “bumper crop”.

A mare was found dead in Wokingham last week (Monday 17 October) in a field near Blagrove Lane.

The RSPCA received calls from concerned locals but the horse was not removed until two days later on the Wednesday as the owners were unable to be contacted.

“People should be aware that acorns are palatable to horses but can poison them, so they should be cleared from any areas where they are grazing,” a spokesman for the RSPCA told H&H.

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Owners are being warned to keep an eye on horses grazing in fields with oak trees due to a bumper crop of acorns this autumn.

In August, a 20-year-old stallion was put down after he was tethered to an oak tree in St Albans, Herts, and suffered liver damage from gorging on acorns.

“As the horse was tethered, it was a snack in great supply,” said an RSPCA spokesman.

“Acorns are palatable but can poison horses, so they should be cleared from grazing areas.”

Dr Timothy Farewell, an environment expert at Cranfield University, told H&H recent weather patterns are responsible for high acorn yields.

“We had a warm summer last year, then a harsh winter,” he said. “That produced ideal conditions for lots of flowers to grow on trees. And the early summer weather this year resulted in more fruit.”

Horse owner Carol Phillips from Herts added: “My old girl loves acorns and I have spent many a day raking them up.”

And around 200 pigs have been put out into the New Forest, earlier than usual to clear the acorns so ponies can’t eat them.

H&H veterinary adviser Karen Coumbe says readers should not be unduly worried, but should be aware of the risk.

“Oak may cause poisoning, but it is very unusual,” she said. “Most horses will not eat acorns but if grazing is limited or horses get a taste for them, then it is a potential problem, especially green acorns.

“Abdominal pain, depression and/or diarrhoea and constipation can indicate poisoning. If a horse seems unwell, have a vet check it out.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (29 September, 2011)

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Australian authorities are investigating the isolated deaths of 40 horses in Queensland from liver damage.

Biosecurity Queensland is looking at reports that horses from five properties have either died or been left with permanent liver scarring.

Vet Rick Whittle said the cause is as yet unknown, but confirmed the investigation is focusing on a toxic group of tropical plants called Crotalaria.

Mr Whittle said: “The difficulty is looking at what’s happened when the horse hasn’t become ill until some months after the plant has gone.”

This article was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound, 25 November ’10

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The Welsh Assembly Government has unveiled a new code of practice to prevent and control the spread of ragwort.

Under the Weeds Act 1959, landowners must take action to stop “injurious weeds” spreading from their land.

A spokesman for the assembly said: “We are not seeking to eradicate ragwort — in the right environment, where it causes no risk to grazing animals, ragwort greatly contributes to the biodiversity of the flora and fauna in our countryside.

“Guidance has been prepared to promote good practice and significantly reduce the risk of poisoning to livestock.”

The assembly has said it will take action where ragwort is growing close to horses and refusal to remove it may lead to court action and loss of the single farm payment.

Ragwort is highly poisonous to horses in its green and dried forms, leading to acute liver damage, but anecdotal evidence points to a proliferation around the UK.

Hundreds of people took part in the British Horse Society’s annual ragwort survey this month.

• H&H is collating an online map of the spread of ragwort

You can download the code of practice at www.wales.gov.uk

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (29 July, ’10)

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The most critically ill horse from the group of 23 saddleback show horses which are believed to have been deliberately poisoned with oleander leaves at a ranch in South California has survived and was due to be released from hospital.

Vet Steven Colburn of Creekside Veterinary Service hospital said: “He’s looking brighter and turning the corner.”

The other two critically ill horses had intravenous treatments and were returned to their home at Rockridge Farm, Rancho Santa Fe, near San Diego, last week.

Other sick horses stayed at the ranch and were treated immediately with mineral oil and activated charcoal, to soak up the poison.

The horses had ingested highly poisonous oleander leaves which had been mixed with chopped apple and carrot and feed to the horses on the night of Thursday 30 July by an intruder to the ranch.

Even small quantities of oleander leaves will induce colic, profuse sweating, abnormal heart function and ultimately cardiac failure.

Mr Colburn said: “Whoever did this knew exactly what he was doing.”

Owners Tom and Debbie Tomin have offered a £6,000 reward and the Humane Society of the United States has offered £1,500 for information leading to the arrest of the culprit.

Five of the total of 30 horses at the ranch are world champions and two are scheduled to compete in the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky in three weeks time.

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An suspected attempt to kill 30 show horses at a well-known stable yard in San Diego, USA by poisoning with oleander leaves has left 3 horses in hospital and 20 more sick.

Bill and Debbie Tomin, owners of Rockridge Farm in Rancho Santa Fe, discovered highly toxic oleander leaves mixed in with sliced apples and carrots when they went to feed the horses at 6am on Thursday 30 July.

Assistant trainer, Theo Robinson, said: “When we opened the stall doors, I knew exactly what it was.”

One horse was already down and others were sickening fast. Oleander causes cardiac arrest in horses if enough is eaten.

A distraught Mrs Tomin told local press: “Someone broke in and tried to kill all our horses. Who would want to do something like this? This was totally planned and is totally sick. They fed them one of the most toxic things a horse can get.”

All 30 horses at the yard are American saddlebred show horses worth over £1.2m. Five are world champions and two are scheduled to compete in the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky in three weeks time.

The three horses rushed to San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall were given intravenous treatments and the other horses, including two pregnant mares, were fed mineral oil and charcoal to absorb any toxins. They are all under close observation.

It’s believed someone entered the yard by climbing over a large gate between 2-3am on Thursday and planted the mixture without waking sleeping staff on site.

Bill Tomin said he didn’t believe it was anyone in the horse world. He said: “Nobody does this — this is some whack.”

Rockridge Farm is a 10-acre boarding and training facility which has been owned by the Tomins for over 30 years.

The Rancho Santa Fe district of San Diego county is the third most expensive postcode in the USA, according to Forbes magazine, and the most expensive in the state of California.

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A scheme to save New Forest ponies from acorn poisoning has been hailed a success by the forest verderers. Ponies and cattle can be poisoned by green acorns – 43 have died from poisoning so far this year – but pigs are not affected by them.

More than 500 pigs were let out into the forest at the start of Pannage season in November – the largest number for decades. “The pigs have done a really good job,” said Jonathan Gerrelli, New Forest head agister, “the scheme has definitely been a success.”

Pannage, an age-old custom of letting pigs into the New Forest to fatten them up for Christmas, has been extremely popular with forest commoners (land owners) this year. But although the commoners are not required to bring in their animals until the end of December, many pigs have already been rounded up.

“As we get towards the end of Pannage and the acorns run out the pigs start to wander,” Mr Gerrelli explained, “and although the pigs are very friendly there is bound to come a time when they come into contact with members of the public who are not geared up towards animals.”

Reports of pigs chasing dogs and dog walkers, horses and riders and breaking into people’s gardens have been on the increase this year. “The problem with pigs is that you need a very good fence,” Mr Gerrelli admitted. “A sow can become quite protective – you must adapt your behaviour accordingly.”

A student walking in the forest filmed a policeman and dog as they were chased by a herd of pigs. “The man was walking his young police dog and decided to introduce it to a pig. Unfortunately the pig collected 15 of his friends and chased the policeman and dog back to his car,” explained Sue Westwood, Clerk to the Verderers. Click here to watch video.

Unfortunately, due to the glut of acorns this year, there is still likely to be a few poison-related deaths before the end of 2006. “Poisoned ponies don’t die instantly – it takes a while for them to feel the effects,” Mr Gerrelli said. “But the pigs have eaten most of the acorns so there should be no more poisoning in the New Year.”

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Hundreds of New Forest Ponies are in danger of acorn poisoning, according to forest officials. Despite a season of prolonged drought, oak trees have produced an abundance of green acorns which are toxic to ponies and cattle.

“There were hardly any acorns last year,” said Jonathan Gerrelli, New Forest head agister. “But this year the trees are loaded.”

Pigs, unaffected by green acorns, have for centuries been released into the forest in autumn to eat them up. But officials are worried that this year there will not be enough pigs to rid the forest of acorns in order to prevent unnecessary pony deaths.

Acorn poisoning causes internal bleeding in ponies and cattle followed by a slow and painful death. “The amount of acorns this year could prove a problem,” said Mr Gerrelli, “Certain ponies develop a taste for them and gorge themselves to death.”

Pannage season, when the pigs are released into the forest begins on September 23. The practice of allowing commoners, as landowners in the area, to graze their pigs in the forest stems back to medieval times.

For a fee of just £1 the commoner is permitted to graze a pig in the forest for 60 days. Last year less than 200 pigs were let out; ‘There were not many acorns so owners just didn’t feel it was worth it,’ Mr Gerrelli explained.

But this year he hopes between 300 and 400 pigs will be released into the forest. “Touch wood there haven’t been any acorn deaths so far,” he said, “but this year a lot more pigs will be needed.”

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Poisoning is often suspected as a cause of unexplained illness in an equine.

Although it is an unusual cause of sudden illness requiring first aid, it is important to be able to recognise and respond to the symptoms.

Poisoning may be suspected if:

• many horses are ill at once with no known infectious cause
• the affected individual(s) have been exposed to a new environment, such as new grazing
• there has been a recent change in feed
• the affected horse(s) have insufficient grazing or feed so are more likely to nibble on something poisonous
• very unusual clinical signs are seen that cannot otherwise be explained
• an unexplained death has occurred.

If you do suspect poisoning, your vet should be contacted. Immediate action should include preventing further exposure to the poison, for example withdrawing a suspected feed. Your vet will have access to specialist advice from the National Poisons Unit, which can advise on the correct antidote for a particular poison, if there is one available.

First aid may include reducing absorption of poison by:

• keeping the horse calm and quiet
• feeding a bran mash and Epsom salts
• administration by your vet of activated charcoal or liquid paraffin, as well as fluids.