Apple Trees in field?

[Oscar]

Hi do any of you have apple trees in your fields? Only I noticed 2 today in our field - I moved yards last year & dont remember them from last year!!, and one of my lot was stood happily eating all the newly growing apples off the tree!! He was foaming at the mouth so goodness knows how many he has eaten!!

The trees are outside the field but slightly overhang, so should I fence this bit off or is ok for them to have ad-lib apples?!!

 

[lh1975]

Hello,

Too many could cause colic and if the apples start to drop off the tree and then lay on the ground for a while, they'll start to ferment - which could also cause tummy ache!

Hope that helps

 

[Tinseltoes]

Hmmm as said TOO MANY APPLES - COLIC.So keep an eye.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I have the same problem, no one has noticed the apple trees except me and the horses (of course !).
Think I shall be making apple pie tonight.

 

[humblepie]

I had a horse years ago that needed to be turned out in a small area whilst getting over an injury so the farmer kindly lent me his orchard - cue me picking the windfall apples from the ground every day so the horse wouldn't eat them. Fence them off if you can.

 

[SusannaF]

Colic or drunk, as happened to a pony I rode as a teenager.

 

[piggyinablanket]

We use our orchard just until the apples start to drop. They generally leave them alone as long as they have nice grass, but its not worth the risk.

 

[polopony]

I have an apple tree in my field, i normally go and collect all the apples off the floor before turning out as they don't try to get them off the tree itself. But definitely keep an eye on it, one or two wont hurt, but the last thing you want is colic., so if picking them doesn't help I'd suggest putting a fence around it/them xx

 

[jens]

Slightly different but where I used to livery there were 2 pear trees. I always fenced them off with electric fence when the fruit started to drop but I would treat them and give them a few at a time when I collected them. It must be like looking in the window of a sweet shop to them!!!

 

[Ali2]

There are two big ones in the mares field at my yard. They are electric fenced off and the field is regularly inspected for and cleared of any escapees I'd fence off.

 

[Oscar]

Thanks guys!! I've been told they are Crab Apples!! Are they different?!! My horses are eating them straight off the tree!! Not off the floor!!

Think I'll fence them off tomorrow.

 

[Archangel]

crab apples are very tart, no wonder he is foaming at the mouth! Def fence them off and then make jelly out of the apples - very tasty.