buttercups

[Firehorse]

i read these are poisonous to horses. now, there are none in their actual field,but there a hundreds on our yard, which is all grass. they are often let onto the yard to graze it down. would horses eat buttercups, on leave them. and how poisonous are they? is it that they hve to hve loads before any effect?

 

[emma69]

Most horses won't eat buttercups if there is grass available as they don't taste all that nice when growing. A few in a field is not something I would worry unduly about. However, it seems a little silly to use them as lawnmowers for an area that is not their field unnecessarily. Use a mechanical lawnmower or a weed killer instead.

 

[Sparkles]

Ditto, they're bitter tasting and generally won't eat them unless there's nothing else to eat.

 

[Firehorse]

unfortunately its not in my control where they graze, its all down to the Y.O. he fences different parts of the farm off a bit at a time, if the main field is looking a bit bare. altho they move into the summer paddocks in a week or two, so they wont be on the yard near the buttecups again for a while. but thx!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Here is a link to plants that are poisonous/toxic to horses. Buttercups appear on the list along with many other plants, shrubs & trees.

http://www.cottsequine.co.uk/html/pdf/Factsheets/Horse/24_269893.pdf

 

[mahorse]

Believe I read they can cause photosensitivity in horses, and hives/itching etc. Best be avoided!