Is There Such A Thing As Toxic Fencing For Horses?

Educated horse owners are aware of the toxicity of red maple leaves, but are fence posts and boards made from maple trees safe to use around horses? Dr. Anthony Knight tells EQUUS magazine that there is very little toxin in the trunk of maple trees, so lumber made from maples poses very little risk – even if the horse chews or cribs on the wood.

Wilted leaves of the red maple contain a tannin called gallic acid that damages horse's hemoglobin, the part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen. A horse that ingests three pounds or more of wilted or dried red maple leaves could have organ and tissue failure because of the lack of oxygen in his blood.

[Story Continues Below]

Gallic acid has also been found in silver maples and sugar maples. All three maple species are found in the United States and are commonly used in landscaping. There are myriad hybrids and cultivars from these trees, as well. The leaves from all of them should be kept away from horses, Knight says.

The majority of the toxin is found in the tree's leaves when they become wilted, but there is some toxin in both the bark and branches of the trees. Horses do not typically ingest enough of these to cause damage to their organs.

Read more at EQUUS magazine.

The post Is There Such A Thing As Toxic Fencing For Horses? appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Are Fallen Leaves Toxic To Horses?

Some horses have nearly unlimited access to fallen leaves this time of year, whether from snacking on trail rides or gorging on leaves that fall into their fields. As pasture grasses die off in colder weather, fallen leaves might seem appetizing to some horses.

While many leaves aren't harmful to horses, leaves from certain trees are toxic when ingested and can lead to death. Wilted maple leaves, as well as both fresh and wilted cherry leaves, are toxic to horses; boxelder seeds (“whirlybirds”) can case seasonal pasture myopathy when ingested. Horses that each enough of any of these can die.

Fortunately, horses will generally only consume wilted leaves when there is nothing else to eat; pulling horses from fields that are overgrazed or supplementing pastured horses with hay are two strategies to keep them from eating things they shouldn't. Leaves left on the ground in the winter are not a concern in the spring.

An additional equine health concern is green acorns, which can be toxic if ingested.

Sign up for the University of Minnesota e-newsletter here.

The post Are Fallen Leaves Toxic To Horses? appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights