Acorn Poisoning

[Llwyncwn]

Its that time of year again and the acorns are falling in their abundance. One of the liveries has caught her mare three times this week gorgeing herself on them and she asked me 'at what stage were the acorns most dangerous'. Errrrm, all the time I thought?? I know some horses have no ill effects from eating them, but I also know of horses who have died.

Can anyone tell me if there is a 'most dangerous' time ?

 

[mollymurphy]

Hiya Helen!

Most dangeous when they're green apparently. We lost a horse on our yard to acorn poisoning last year. It said in the news this week that there's an acorn shortage this year, which is good for the horses, but bad for the birds.
What stage are they at at your yard? They're still poisonous when ripe, but less so. I'd take the horse away just to be on the safe side until they've all fallen and been raked up. Or buy a pig! They love them!

Lou. x

 

[Llwyncwn]

Hey Lou! x

Well, apparently 4 of the ponies on the rough grazing have been dining out, but it would be impossible to pick them up from 25 acres. There are oak trees on most of the other pastures too. A pig eh! We have already had escapee goats on the land this week and all the horses were thundering around in blind panic

 

[merlinsquest]

I have been told leaves and acorns are worse when young and green and get less toxic as they turn to brown..

 

[Scarlett]

My lad came in last night all colicky, am sure he got to some acorns - unfortunately we couldnt find any in the field to prove he had access to them - probably cos he had eaten them all....

Now planning to obsessively rake them up to stop them getting to them....

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Hi fave YO {waves madly}. Got some decent info off the web for Del. One from a vet site, one from another forum (gasps in horror) that just popped up when I googled - the exchange of info is helpful. Link is www.newrider.com/forum - sorry Admin, this is for important horse health info. I've printed the info off H and will bring to yard Thurs. Basically, it needs ingestion of extremely large quantities and poisoning mainly affects young animals. Unripe, green acorns are more toxic as they contain higher levels of pyrogallic acids. Ingestion over a period of 1 - 4 weeks is necessary before toxic signs become apparent. Pigs are resistant to pyrogallic and tannic acids. Once renal signs become apparent, there is an 80% fatality rate but this is really at the end-stage level. The main advice seems to be electric fence off the oak trees and/or do regular manual sweep ups. x

 

[custard]

I digress slightly but why on earth do horses seem to like them? I tried one once as curious, bloody vile taste, really bitter so can't see the attraction but hey ho.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Oh blimey Custardsmum!!! Were you a squirrel in a previous life!!!

I tasted my girl's Formula 30 electrolytes the other day coz I was interested in how salty they were. Yuk! Just tasted powdery but at least I know I'd pass an endurance ride vetting now!!!!! Come on everyone...own up...what have YOU tasted in the interests of furthering horse knowledge???

 

[miss_bird]

ok will admit to trying my horses hard feed and totyally enjoyed the molassed bits, must stay away from it this year