MAY 2001 BACK ISSUE

Horse Previews Magazine website - Posted on 05/07/2001; 2:00:00PM.

What You Can Do to Prevent Horse Poisoning

Develop a pasture management plan
Control weeds and poisonous plants
Maintain healthy (competitive)pasture
Don't let animals overgraze pastures
Irrigate new seedings
Fertilize grass

Learn about poisonous plants
Learn stage/time they are most toxic
Avoid infested areas at these times
In drought situations/late summer
In early spring before grass grows

Take special care in "new" areas
When unloading animals
With new animals
When in unfamiliar territory

Watch young or new animals closely

Check area before tying/picketing horses

Provide ample feed, water, and nutrients
At regular intervals
At home
On the trail

Don't dismiss unusual behavior
Keep animals quiet, sheltered, fed and watered
Take careful notes of behavior
Symptoms vary with level of toxin
Not all symtoms seen in all poisonings
Consult a veterinarian, as soon as possible
Collect samples of suspected plants
Include leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruit
Keep sample fresh, refrigerated in plastic bag
Or press sample dry between newspaper under
weights

Common Plants Toxic To Horses
Seagrass Arrowgrass, Bracken Fern, Death Camas, Fiddleneck/Tarweed, Horsetail, Larkspur, Locoweeds, Milkweeds, St. Johnswort/Goatweed, Tansy Ragwort, Water Hemlock, Yellow Starthistle, Downy Brome, Docks, Ergot, Potatoes, Nitrate-Accumulating Plants.

Other Plants to Avoid
Avocado trees- leaves, stems, bark, Yew trees, Oleander bushes, Ponderosa pine trees- needles.

Let Them Eat Grass!

This is not a complete list. For further information contact:
Cooperative Extension, Washington State University, Spokane County, N. 222 Havana, Spokane, WA 99202. 509-553-2048.